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“I’m not most people. And I have no decency when it comes to you,” Landon said. “Happy birthday, Maddie.”
“Thank you. Are you going to tell me the plans for today?”
“Nah, but my helper will be there soon.”
I wiggled my ass. “Grace or Lori?”
“Grace.”
“I can’t believe you’ve been plotting with my sister and your sister. And that you’ve used all those tricks to convince me to take the day off.”
“I don’t remember you c
omplaining at the time.”
I felt my cheeks burn. His tricks fell into two categories: racy and downright sinful. Of course I hadn’t complained.
“You really have no decency. I don’t know why I keep you around.”
Landon laughed softly. “I can’t wait to see you later. Have fun today.”
“Fun doing what? Come on, just a little hint.”
As if on cue, the bell rang. Landon must have heard it too, because he said, “That’s your hint. See you later, Maddie.”
“See you.”
I scrambled out of bed, looking for my jeans. An idea struck me. What if Landon was at the door, and he’d just been messing with me? My heart went pitter-patter at the thought. The knock at the front door became more insistent.
When I swung it open, my smile faltered just a bit.
“What’s that?” Grace’s voice dripped with accusation.
I hung my head in shame and owned up to my sins. “I’d gotten it into my mind that Landon was messing with me saying I’ll only see him later.”
“I’d be mad, but it’s understandable. I’d be disappointed too if I was expecting that hunk and all I got was little old me.”
I pulled her into a hug. “I’m not disappointed, you little schemer.”
“Happy birthday, sis.” Pulling back, she added, “I will be your guide today. You have fifteen minutes to get dressed.”
Curiosity and panic warred inside me. Curiosity regarding our plan for the day, and panic that I only had fifteen minutes to shower and dress. Fourteen minutes later, I did a full turn in front of Grace.
“Acceptable?”
She nodded. “Let’s go.”
My phone rang nonstop while Grace drove us through the city. Friends and old clients called, then my parents.
“We’re here,” Grace announced while I was bidding Mom goodbye. She pulled the car into a parking space on a narrow street lined with restaurants and shops. We were going shopping? I loved shopping. I didn’t need anything in particular, but that had never kept me from indulging. I loved pretty things.
I finished the conversation with Mom as Grace took my hand, guiding me onto the main street. Only when I shoved my phone into my purse did I realize we were on Rodeo Drive, also known as one of the most expensive shopping streets in LA.
“Rodeo Drive is a bit out of my budget, don’t you think?”
She winked. “Luckily, you’re the birthday girl so you’re not paying. Landon’s treat. He asked me what you liked to do, and I brought up shopping.”
I opened my mouth to argue, but she held up her finger.
