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“No, it’ll make him understand you’re in high demand,” Landon replied.
What was happening? I placed my hands on my hips, stepping right in front of them. “What’s this? Val, you made me spy on your brother and now you’re the one corrupting him?”
Val winced. “You’re right. He offered to look over a pitch I prepared for a potential client I’m meeting on the fifth. He was just supposed to glance at it last weekend, but it kind of spiraled into... this. His fault entirely.”
I would have argued, but I’d just had firsthand experience of Landon’s convincing prowess. I turned my glare to Landon, who winked at me.
“Landon tells me you’re joining us tomorrow.”
I eyed the two of them. “Yes. You’re sure I won’t be intruding on your family time?”
Val glanced at her brother. “Gee, now that she asks, maybe we should change our minds.”
Landon crossed his arms over his chest, flashing a grin that bore an uncanny resemblance to his sister’s.
“Everyone’s required to bring a homemade dish,” Val informed me.
I dropped my jaw in mock shock. “First your brother coerces me into joining you, and now you tell me I have to cook? Sneaky.”
“That’s my middle name,” Val confirmed. “How do you think I convince everyone to do my bidding all the time?”
Chapter Twelve
Maddie
I groaned when I pulled into Val’s street the next morning. I’d borrowed Grace’s tiny Volvo
for the occasion, anticipating that parking my Chevy, which I’d retrieved from the mechanic’s shop yesterday evening, might be a challenge. Everyone had guests over for the celebration. I glanced along the street, and it was clear I had more chances of hocus-pocusing the car into thin air than parking it anywhere.
I was just about to call Val and ask if there was a nearby parking garage when Landon stepped into my view, walking at a brisk pace along the row of parked cars. I tried not to shimmy in my seat as we made eye contact, but I lost the battle. Landon was affecting me on a visceral level, in a way no other man ever had.
“Hi, Maddie,” he said, climbing into the passenger seat and throwing his thumb over his shoulder. “Reverse the car. There’s a field we’ve been using as a parking lot a few streets away.”
“You don’t have to ride with me. Just give me instructions.”
“Trust me, it’s easier this way.”
One hand on the wheel, I grabbed the stick with the other, moving it into Reverse, glancing in the rearview mirror as I backed away. Out of the corner of my eye I saw Landon’s gaze trained on me, and a current of awareness zinged me.
I followed his instructions. He’d been right. If he’d just explained it to me, no way would I have found the field. It was a vast open space between two fence-surrounded parcels atop of which sat ranch-style homes. A few cars were already parked there. I pulled next to a black Chevrolet.
“I have cake in the trunk,” I explained as we climbed out. When we reached the rear of the car, I bit my lip, looking around at the parcel. “Are we allowed to park here?”
“Don’t worry about it.”
I stood on my toes, inspecting my surroundings for any “No Trespassing” signs. When Landon leaned in slightly, I nearly lost my balance.
“Maddie, seriously. Don’t worry.” On a huskier, playful note, he added, “I only break the rules on special occasions.”
Oh, and I remembered said occasions in such vivid detail.
“I don’t want to risk the car getting towed away.”
“I own the parcel.”
I felt my eyes widen. “Oh, okay.”
“I bought it at the same time Val did. It was a good investment. Relatively cheap when we bought them, but prices skyrocketed.”
