Page 38 of Out of Place

I start to walk off, but she keeps talking. “Olivia, you are not a burden. You’re doing a great job. Having an extra set of hands on the farm during the summer has been great. You’ve given the guys a break, too.”

I take a sip of my water. It’s nice to know something that I’m doing is actually helpful.

“Is Landon teaching you how to drive?” she asks, although I’m sure she already knows the answer.

I nod. “He. . . he also asked me on a date. Do I need to ask permission or anything?”

Dottie doesn’t pick up on my sarcasm. Instead, she answers honestly, “Of course, you don’t have to ask permission.” She hesitates for a moment. “Do you want to go on a date with him?”

It’s true Landon is nothing like the guys I typically go for. My last boyfriend almost exclusively wore suits and almost always had his phone glued to his ear. We made sense on paper, but he didn’t give me the attention I wanted, and I couldn’t be the trophy wife he wanted. Mainly because a trophy wife doesn’t get blackout drunk at bars four out of seven nights a week.

Landon lives in cut-off tees, jeans, and baseball hats, and I’ve actually never seen him on his phone. As for attention, he gives me all of his. Every time I look at him, he’s already looking at me. Every time we’re together, I secretly hope he’s going to kiss me.

He’s different, but maybe I need different.

At least for now.

According to everyone else, my life was going nowhere. Maybe going on a few dates with a guy who genuinely likes me will be good for me.

“Yeah, I think I do.”

She studies me for a moment. “Alright. Landon is a good kid. I don’t think he’ll get you into any trouble. Just. . . go easy on him, Olivia. That boy’s got a big heart.”

Go easy on him? He’s the one teasing me! I want to say that, but I don’t. I’ve got a reputation in New York. I get it. Since my ex and I broke up, I’ve been seen with a different guy at almost every party. Not a great look.

Dottie knows I went out with Dawson, but I told her it wasn’t going to work between us. She understood. I’m sure it makes her a little nervous that now I’m trying to date Landon.

Landon certainly isn’t Dawson, though.

While I dreaded the date with Dawson, I’m already nervous about the date with Landon, and it’s not even happening for another five days.

CHAPTER 14

Olivia

Two days later, at the end of the day, Landon finds me attempting to get an egg from a nest in the chicken coop. The hen came out of nowhere and started pecking my hand when I went for it. I wanted to leave it, but I’m trying to make sure no one has a reason to say I’m not doing my job. And by no one, I mean Camden. Because even after hanging out with Landon and his friends, where Landon clearly showed his interest in me, Camden still shoots me dirty looks anytime he sees me. He doesn’t even try to hide it at this point.

I’m convinced he’ll never like me, and honestly, it’s no sweat off my back. People say mean things about me online all the time. They’re complete strangers who know nothing about me but think their opinion matters. Nope.

So Camden’s doesn’t either.

He can hate me all he wants, but he damn well won’t be able to say I didn’t do what I was asked to do.

I quickly reach around the hen and grab her egg as Landon says, “There you are.”

I glance over at him and almost drop the damn egg. I haven’t seen him since I left the milking station this morning. He’s got his hat on backward today, and his cheeks are pink from the sun. He’s dirty like always, but I think I’m starting to like this look on him.

“Here I am,” I tell him, turning back to search for more eggs and pretending like his presence doesn’t affect me.

“I wanted to see if you would hit up the stables with me.”

My shoulders slump. More work? I’ve been out all day grabbing peaches and was really looking forward to finally sitting down to eat something.

“Isn’t it almost time for you all to leave for the day?” I ask, hoping he didn’t realize what time it was.

“Yeah. We’re done working. But I wanted to take a ride with you,” he says.

“A ride?”