Page 120 of Worth the Trip

“Call if anything changes.”

“I will.”

“Immediately.”

“Yes, Son.”

I hung up.

Nolani took my hand.

“Treatment?”

“Hit her harder today.”

“You want to go now?”

“Yeah.”

“Then let’s get you out of here.”

No guilt.

No pretending she wasn’t disappointed either.

Just understanding.

“I’m sorry.”

“For what?”

“Leaving sooner than I planned.”

“Landon, go see your mama.”

“I know.”

“Then why are you apologizing?” I looked at her. She stepped closer. “You showed up. You spent your afternoon in my kitchen, wearing pink, got interrogated by children, worked unpaid literacy duty, and survived Nyla calling you Big Lando. We’re good.”

I laughed.

“I wanted more time.”

“So did I.”

Before I could answer, Nolani stepped into me. One hand settled against my chest while the other caught lightly behind my neck, and she rose onto her toes.

Her mouth touched my jaw.

Slow enough that it damn sure wasn’t accidental.

Then she pulled back like she hadn’t just rearranged my thoughts.

I stared at her.

“What was that?”

“Nothing.”