Page 196 of Worth the Trip

“Stop smiling.”

“I didn’t say anything.”

“Your face did.”

She stood before I could reconsider. “And tell Big Lando he’s welcome.”

“For what?”

“The name. The sister. General excellence.”

“Leave.”

Her laughter followed her down the hallway.

I opened the festival website.

Read the requirements once.

Then closed it.

For the first time in my life, curiosity didn’t have to become a decision before I was allowed to feel it.

Landon answered my call Monday evening before the first ring fully completed.

“Wassup, love?”

I stepped beneath the awning outside Crème & Chill with my purse over one shoulder and the book he’d chosen tucked beneath my arm. “You answered quickly.”

“You called me first. You expected restraint?”

“I expected dignity.”

“Wrong number.”

I laughed while crossing toward my SUV. “The empire survived.”

“Knew it would. You?”

“Also survived.”

“You eat?”

“Yes.”

“Look at God.”

“Do not start.”

“I’m celebrating answered prayer.”

“You asked me one question at eleven.”

“And received favorable results.”

I unlocked the SUV. “You are deeply irritating.”

“You called anyway.”