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“I was worried about you,” he said, taking a step toward her. “I didn’t know how you’d react to Vance being there. It blew me away to see him and Bang Bang Barbie, and I was stone-cold sober.”
“When I ran into him in Vegas, he was a real douchebag. I alluded to him stealing my music, and he threatened me.”
“What?” Landon bit out, his posture stiffening.
“Not with physical harm. Vance is too much of a pussy for that. I could kick his ass with my hands tied behind my back.” She blew out a heavy breath. “He said he’d sic his label’s lawyers on me if I said anything.”
Landon shook his head. “He’s a slimeball. I knew from the second I met him that he was a poser. I hate that we’re with the same label.”
“But seeing him today was different,” she said as a realization hit.
“Was it because you were on a crazy high dose of hallucinogenic mushrooms?”
“Maybe, that helped soften the blow, but I think I was okay because I was with you. Because you make me…”
He made her…what?
Believe in the strength of their hasty union?
That was only a temporary arrangement.
Still, having him by her side had sustained her. It had made her feel solid even when she thought the ceiling was made of sugar, flour, and eggs, and her hands insisted on being addressed as Joyce and Bartholomew. Landon’s presence had kept her tethered to a base of inner strength she hadn’t tapped in years.
“Come with me and bring the bonbons,” he said, pulling her from her thoughts. She grabbed the box as he took her hand and led her toward the not-so soundproof room.
“Is this a bonbon booty call?” she asked, trying to change the subject and get out of her head.
What was she about to say?
Landon Paige, you complete me.
Landon Paige, you make me stronger.
Landon Paige, I’m not sure who I am without you.
“This isn’t a booty call, Harper,” he bit out, irritation laced into the reply.
What had gotten into him? He seemed as off-balance as she did.
“You don’t want to…” she began.
“I always want to,” he blurted. “Jesus, that came out wrong. I want to show you something—something I did today. Something you inspired me to do.”
They entered the quasi-soundproof room, and she spied his guitar in the corner. Sheet music and a bevy of markers littered the small table. He gestured for her to sit on the bed as he retrieved her notebook where she’d jotted notes and lyrics from their sessions. It wasn’t anything formal or official. They hadn’t completed any songs. They were in the brainstorming phase, recording ideas and musings. He slipped a laptop from his satchel on the ground next to the keyboard.
She sat cross-legged on the bed and placed the box of chocolates in the center as Landon settled himself across from her. He set the laptop and the notebook next to the bonbons, wrung his hands, then took a bonbon and popped it into his mouth.
Was he nervous?
“I’m just going to say it,” he announced.
What was going on with the man? Had he gotten into the lollipops?
“You’re freaking me out, heartthrob.”
“Sorry, sorry,” he replied on a shaky exhale. “After I taught your LookyLoo class, I worked on our music.”
“Rewind,” she exclaimed. “You really taught on my channel?”
