Page 73 of Worth the Trip

“What does?”

“Nothing in that house looked accidental.”

I looked at him for a second.

He unfolded his napkin and placed it across his lap.

No follow-up.

No wink to make sure I understood he had noticed the love inside Nana’s home.

He just noticed it.

That was becoming a problem.

“So,” I said.

He looked up. “So?”

“Did you survive Nana?”

“Barely.”

“She didn’t threaten you.”

“She cross-examined me in front of a jury eating pralines.”

I laughed. “She asked questions.”

“She asked follow-ups. Different jurisdiction.”

“You kept smiling.”

“I was establishing favorable diplomatic relations.”

“You were charming her.”

“I was trying to leave with my date.”

“You had already arrived with your date.”

“Exactly. High-stakes negotiation.”

I laughed into my water.

Landon leaned back. “Did it work?”

“Did what work?”

“The charm.”

“She invited you back.”

“That ain’t who I meant.”

Heat climbed into my face.

He looked away toward the harbor and gave me enough time to recover.