Tall, broadly built, and a stare that reveals his dark intensity.
If I didn’t know better from what Mom has told me, I would say he radiates a grumpy red flag. But all the things he has done to help her out tell me another story and that under his rough exterior there is a good guy.
I can imagine life hasn’t been easy for him since his wife died. And on top of that, owning and operating a bar in downtown Boston means you need to be a strong force in the business. Alcohol can bring out the worst in people. I see it every day in my job, when we are pulling people out of a car wreck caused by a drunk driver. So, looking like Landon does I’m sure helps to keep his patrons under control.
Focusing on the sound of rain on the roof, I wonder if Landon is lying in his bed thinking about our unusual introduction tonight, just like I am.
Who am I kidding, that man wouldn’t have thought about me beyond the moment I walked out of his house. I’m just his neighbor’s daughter who stepped in to solve a problem.
Simple as that.
He’s probably already asleep.
Hmmm, what would a man like Landon wear in bed, or does he sleep naked? Now that’s an image I will happily take into my dreams tonight.
Bang, bang, bang.
“Ughh, really.” Opening my eyes and tapping my phone, I’m shocked to see that it’s just after ten in the morning.
Getting to sleep for the second time last night was a struggle, but once I did, I must’ve fallen into a deep one. It’s probablymy trusty old bed that is still molded to my body shape and the quietness of Mom’s house.
Autumn: Open the door! Your coffee’s getting cold.
The need for a strong coffee is enough to make me throw the blankets back and wrap myself in a robe. Thank goodness for central heating because the house is warm, and I don’t have to worry about changing out of my pajamas because it’s only Autumn at the door.
“About time, it’s freezing out here. My nipples are so hard from the cold they might just snap off.” Autumn is bundled up and looks at me cheekily. “But you didn’t tell me about this development.” Before I have time to work out what she means, she grabs my hand and pulls me out the door onto the front porch. The cold air hits me and takes my breath away, as I’m so underdressed.
“What the fuck, Autumn.” I stumble, still wearing my stripey Christmas bed socks, and then just as I stand upright, I hear her call out.
“Hi there, neighbor!” My head whips up to see Landon standing on his porch holding a couple of parcels in his hand and looking back at us, totally confused at what’s happening. I am dying a thousand deaths on the inside.
Our eyes lock, and I lift a hand quickly before retreating inside the house without saying a word. I shut the door behind me, leaving Autumn outside because she deserves to have no nipples from the cold. Then I hear her voice through the door.
“Let me in or I’m inviting him over for coffee too.” And I don’t doubt her after the stunt she just pulled.
Opening the door, I don’t give her time to embarrass me any further and pull her inside, locking it behind her.
“I hate you! Why would you do that to me?” Stomping down the hallway to the kitchen, Autum follows behind me, laughing all the way.
“I needed to make sure you saw what I was seeing.” Placing the coffees down on the counter, she heads to the container my mom left for her.
“And what was that?” I mumble.
“The perfect-ten man next door. You didn’t tell me about him, otherwise I would’ve been over here visiting your mother every week. Oh, wait, that’s why you kept him to yourself, isn’t it. Hmmm, sly, but I like it.” And that’s when Autumn lets out a loud gasp.
“How could you, I thought you loved me.” She holds up the empty container in disgust.
“Says the woman who just paraded me in my pajamas in front of the GQ model next door. I think we are even now.” Taking my coffee, I wrap my hands around it to warm them up, and the first mouthful is like heaven, both for the caffeine and the warmth that is spreading through my body.
“Oh, come on, I had to make sure I wasn’t just imagining him, because no one looks that good at this time of the morning. I mean, exhibit A.” She waves her hand up and down in front of me.
“Wow, and I thought you missed me,” I answer. I put my coffee back down on the counter and open my arms. “I haven’t even gotten a hug yet.”
When we connect in a deep hug, it’s like we haven’t been apart for months. I’ve had many friends in my time, but there are those few special ones that once they imprint on your soul, they are there for life.
That is Autumn.
We are different in so many ways, but it doesn’t matter. If anything, that’s what makes us work.
