Landon waits before continuing, apparently wanting me to look his way. Feeling his eyes on me, I finally give in and transfer all my attention to him.
He leans close. With his breath tickling my jaw, he asks, “Do you want me to kiss you? To make him jealous?”
I open my mouth to say something—I have no ideawhat—when Landon winds a hand through my ponytail, caressing his fingers against my neck in the process.
“O…okay,” I finally manage.
It’s a show—I know that, but I find myself forgetting about Thomas. Landon moves closer, tilting his head, his eyes locked on mine. His breath is fresh, minty, and I absently wonder if he planned this.
My stomach tightens at the thought, and my pulse jumps.
“How’s this?” Landon whispers just as his lips tease mine.
“Fine,” I murmur.
“Do you think he’s noticed?” Landon’s free hand is on my waist, nudging me closer but giving me the freedom to step away. But I don’t want to step away.
I shift closer, mimicking Landon’s unhurried approach even though every inch of me tingles with anticipation.
Still, he doesn’t kiss me, not yet.
“Well?” I ask, my voice more breathy than impatient. “Are you going to kiss me or not?”
Landon groans, and his fingers gently dig into my sides. It’s a soft sound of restraint, but it lights a fire in my chest, makes me want more. I breathe in his clean scent, forgetting about the people around us, focused only on Landon and his hands and lips and mouth.
Kiss me already.
“Lacey!” Gia calls, her voice as sweet as syrup.
I close my eyes, loathing her more than I ever have in my life—which is saying something.
With a small smile—perhaps even afrustratedsmile—Landon pulls back and turns to Gia and Thomas. He keeps me close, gently tugging me to his side, and he wraps a sweetly possessive hand above my hip. The move is so perfectly executed;Ialmost believe we’re together.
This is a dangerous ruse.
“Thomas,” I say, working up a great big fake smile. “Hey.”
He and Gia walk our way. My ex looks decidedly uncomfortable, which I rather like. But even though we didn’t part on good terms, I’m willing to pretend it’s all water under the bridge if he is…which is a lot easier to do with Landon’s arm wrapped around me.
“This is Landon,” I say.
Landon gives Thomas a cool nod—not rude in any way, but not exactly friendly either.
Gia shifts her weight, eyeing Thomas. What’s she doing with him? He played her just as much as he did his girlfriend and me. Maybe it’s easy to be quick to leap back in when your heart was never involved—and judging by how quickly she started dating after Thomas left, I think it’s a safe bet to say her heart never had anything to do with it.
If she has one. Which I’m not convinced she does.
“So, you’re back,” I say to break the uncomfortable silence that falls over us like a thick, fleecy blanket of awkwardness.
Thomas looks exactly as I remember him—dark hair, fair skin, delicate complexion that makes him appear aristocratic and a bit haughty. He’s striking.
But now I see him through Landon’s eyes, and I’m noticing things for the first time. He is sort of short—only a few inches taller than I am. His blue eyes are pretty, but they’re usuallyscrunched in a way that makes you wonder if he’s looking down on the whole world.
It’s obvious he thinks Misty’s party is below him, so I have no idea why he decided to show up.
“Every year,” he answers, crossing his arms, studying me. “How are you?”
I give him the usual spiel—work’s good. Mom and Mark are fine.
