Page 137 of Worth the Trip

“You finished?”

“Not remotely.”

“Find something productive to do.”

“I am studying human behavior.”

“You majoring in business.”

“People are business.”

“Leave before I restructure your face.”

Lennox laughed and backed toward the kitchen. “Nice meeting you, Nolani. Blink twice if he holding you hostage.”

Landon looked at me. “Don’t.”

I blinked twice.

Warren coughed over a laugh. Mama Brooks didn’t bother hiding hers. She laughed until one hand moved to her side, and Landon’s attention changed immediately.

“You good?”

“I laughed, Landon. I didn’t collapse.”

He checked the water beside her, took the glass to the kitchen, and returned with it full before she could argue. No fuss. No announcement. Just Landon. Something about watching him care for his mother made me understand his hands better.

He came back to me and settled one at my waist. “You hungry?”

“You just ate.”

“That wasn’t my question.”

“I could eat.”

“Good. Daddy made crab-stuffed salmon, garlic mashed potatoes, green beans, and biscuits.”

Warren shook his head. “Your mother criticized a meal she didn’t cook.”

“I protected everybody from bland food.”

“You told me my crab filling lacked courage.”

“It did.”

I looked at Landon. “Does everybody in this family evaluate food like it submitted an application?”

“Nah. They just aggressive about seasoning.”

Mama Brooks looked at me. “He brought home a woman who makes ice cream from scratch. Clearly, he understands us.”

Landon’s hand moved along my waist as he guided me toward the dining room. “Come sit, Hershey.”

He pulled my chair out, waited until I sat, then took the seat directly beside me despite an empty chair across the table. His thigh rested against mine beneath the tablecloth.

I looked at him. “You had another option.”

“I chose this one.”