I sink back into the pillows, tipping my head against the headboard. Landry had a long bedtime with Sadie last night, having to read and rereadSimpson’s Sheep Won’t Go to Sleep, so he didn’t make a minute of the call. I’d hoped he could, because introducing the subject of my film as my new husband would have seemed more legitimate with him there.
I realized that about five minutes into the call, and something else, too.
“I am. I mean, had he been sitting there, he would have been so offendedby Melvin.”
After Devin communicated that he was happy with the ten-minute sample I sent in a week ago, I shared the news about Landry and I getting hitched at the courthouse. I was ready to sell them on our immediate and whirlwind love when Devin hit me with something I completely did not expect or prepare for, which is stupid in hindsight. Of course I should have prepared myself for Devin thinking I married Landry just for the film.
That’s somethingDevinwould do.
“Smart cookie. Marrying the old belt buckle for access. Smart. That’s the dedication you need to get ahead.”
I wanted to scream at him. I wanted to tell him that I’m not the type of person that would play with someone’s heart just for access to their life in order to make a better film. I wanted to tell him the accusation was ugly and unfounded, and more than that, Iwantedto be offended.
But I couldn’t, because he’s not entirely wrong. Sure, I didn’t exactly marry Landry just for access to his life, but thatwaspart of the deal.
“The thing that upset me the most was how Devin said I’d be able to expense the divorce.” I pull at the loose threads on the bedspread. “Isn’t that so… I don't know, annoying?”
Mom sighs, and there’s nothing more nerve-racking than your mother’s sigh. “How did you respond to the accusation?” I like that she used that word, because it does feel like an accusation.
“I told him that he’s wrong, because he is. I mean, he doesn’t know that he’s wrong, and in a way, he really is wrong because I married Landry to help him keep Sadie, not just for insights into his life. It just… happened to come with the deal.”
Mom closes the clamshell of berries and gives me one ofthose sad,you know what I’m gonna say but I’m gonna make you say itfirstsmiles. “Quinn.”
The back of my neck is suddenly hot. “Hm?”
“You have to tell him that you want to stay, or you need to pull it all the way back. Fast.” She rolls her lips together contemplatively, the way she does at restaurants when she’s deciding if she wants the rich dish, or the more reasonable one. “Have you consummated the marriage?” she asks, teasing but also quite serious.
I told my mom the night I lost my virginity. You can’t call your mom your best friend if you aren’t prepared to treat her that way. I nod. “Not all the way, but we’ve been intimate.”
“Oh, Quinn.”
I bring my hands to my temples and rub, feeling the telltale sting of tears behind my eyes. “I can’t pull back, because he’ll think something is wrong and it could affect his training. It could affect the court case.”
“Quinn,” Mom says, and that’s all she says.
I shake my head. “It’s going to be okay. I can do this. We’re enjoying our time together, of course, but it’s no different than a fling or a summer romance, right? Sadie will forget all about me as soon as her dad wins the rodeo. There will be buckle bunnies coming out of the woodwork to claim him. He’ll be fine.” I swallow against the burning, fiery, painful lump in my throat. “Everything will be great.”
There’s a gentle knock at the door, and I look up to find Landry gripping the doorframe. “Dinner’s ready.” He glances around my bedroom, at the black notebook withTHE COMEBACK RIDERscrawled across, and at my open laptop with footage paused on the screen. “But if you’re busy?—”
I shake my head and halt his words. “I’m starving.”
He smiles, and I feel it behind my ribs and between mylegs. I smile, and then we’re just smiling at each other as birds chirp and rainbows form and?—
“Okay, well, I’m going to go,” my mom says, making Landry wince.
“I didn’t know you were on the phone,” he says, “I’m sorry. I’m sorry, Ms. Farley, and, uh, yeah, Quinn, I’ll meet you downstairs.”
“And Petunia says we ought to just take her out there ourselves,” Sadie says, folding her arms over her chest as she sinks into the wooden chair at the table.
Landry’s mussed hair along with the streak of dirt along his cheek is making it hard for me to not jump him right here and now. I had no idea that I liked such a physical working man, but after this, I know I can’t go back to dating guys in chinos and ties who get manicures. Landry Vaughn has rewired all my desires, and I don’t think I’ll ever be satisfied by anyone but him.
He wags a dirt-stained finger at her. “Now, don’t you take Snickerdoodle out there yourselves, Sadie Ruth. I told y’all before, if you want Doodle to see the wishing well, I’ll ride you guys out there when I get a free second. Okay?”
Sadie twists one of her curls around her finger. “Why can’t we do it ourselves? We aren’t babies, you know.”
Landry forks another bite of chicken and a bite of roasted potato. He’s an excellent cook and I’d even wager he’s probably better than I am, and why is that hot, too? “You are not a baby, I’m aware, but what would you two do if Snickerdoodle took off? Hm? What if one of y’all fell down the well? What would you do, Sadie Ruth? Throw a rope down?” He levels his gaze to hers and strokes herhand. “Honey, I’m tellin’ you it’s not a good idea because it’s not.”
Sadie’s shining blue eyes cut to mine, looking for an ally in the cause. “She just wants to make a wish, is all.”
