Oh, yeah. Landon wouldn’t think twice about approving Stef as a guest, since we’ve been friends so long. Plus he’s in Tampa, focused on Rori. He probably assumed I hadn’t had a chance to mention her visit.
“I wanted to surprise you. I thought it would be a good thing.”
“Did you…did you fly all the way down here to see me?”
“Oh no.” She waves her hand dismissively. “My family is here for vacation. We’re going to all the amusement parks.”
“That’s nice.”
She glances around the front porch and sneaks a peek through the slit of the open door. I know without following her eye line that the expansive entryway and the sunken living room are visible.
“Landon did all right for himself, wow.”
“Yeah, it’s a big house. How did you get the address?”
“Mom’s Christmas card list.” She glances at me directly. “This house is much bigger than yours at home.”
“Yes, it is.” I try to keep the impatience out of my voice.
I guess I should be happy she’s here—but I’m not? I take stock and yeah, happiness is not the dominant emotion.
“I wish you’d texted before coming.”
She doesn’t seem to pick up on my vibe.
“I just thought you’d want to hang with us? Maybe we can go off and do our own thing one of the nights?”
“Stef…”
“C’mon, it’ll be fun. Just friends, I promise.”
“I don’t think that’s a good idea.”
“Why, is Avery the jealous type?”
Now I’m getting irritated. “Don’t twist this. No, but it would be uncomfortable for me. And disrespectful to our relationship.”
“Hmmm, okay.”
I hear footsteps coming from inside the house, and then Connor pops his head out the front door.
He freezes at the sight of Stefani.
“Hello, I didn’t know you were coming.” His gaze travels to me, and I shrug.
“It was a surprise,” she says, in a less sweet tone than when she’s been talking to me.
“Lots of surprises today,” I say to Connor, unable to keep the glib tone out of my voice. He snickers in appreciation.
Stef looks back and forth between the two of us. I think she’s getting the memo that whatever she wanted to accomplish with this visit isn’t happening. “I should probably go then.”
“Toodles,” Connor says drily.
“I’ll walk you to your car,” I offer.
When she nods, I close the front door, following behind.
She turns as we reach the car and steps toward me to give me a hug. I guess I’ll accept it, then send her on her way.
