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“Pft.” Like every other vampire-girl back then? As if. “Armand.”
Landon stopped at a light. “I’ll be your vampire.” He leaned over and nipped my neck, making me squeak with surprise. “I vant to bite your neck.” His accent was atrocious.
I loved it.
The light turned green again, and we were on the freeway and on our way to Park City. The conversation shifted from the books we’d read when we were younger, to what captivated us now.
We reached the takeoff spot for the hot air balloons, and I couldn’t stop staring. All the bright silk was in various stages of being inflated in the large field. It was beautiful.
Our guide walked our small group through all the rules and instructions, and we climbed into the basket. He promised that even if we had a fear of heights, it wouldn’t be too bad. If we felt the panic or vertigo start, we could focus on the floor of the basket, and we’d be okay.
I was still nervous as we lifted into the sky, the cool air hitting my face from one direction, and the heat from the balloon coming from the other.
There was nothing between me and the open air besides a thin little basket. It was terrifying and absolutely amazing.
As we lifted higher into the sky, with Landon’s hand on my hip and all theoohsandahhsaround us, I made myself look at our surroundings and enjoy the view. It was amazing up here. I could see all the way to the mountain tops, and the world below looked like a play set.
It was too bad we didn’t bring Nigel with us—he’d take some amazing pictures up here. I said as much to Landon.
“There’s no reason we can’t do this again. With him next time.”
Landon was smart. And now that I knew how easy this was, I’d definitely do it again. Besides, I liked the idea that he would join Nigel and me, and all three of us would come together.
About an hour after we took off, we landed in a different field, five miles or so from where we’d started. Adrenaline still spilled inside me as we bundled into a waiting van, which took us back to our starting point. I wanted to clap and dance and shout, but also I wanted to revel in the solitude and beauty we’d just witnessed.
As we climbed into Landon’s truck, I also wanted to eat. “Let’s go get breakfast.”
“I could make you something back at your place.”
I loved the idea that he could cook, but that would take longer than I wanted. “Or, we could save that for lunch plans, and stop somewhere now.”
“Mmm.” Landon’s answer was less than encouraging. “Food tends to be a little overpriced in tourist towns, even for locals.”
Oh. Right. He was out of work, and I really was being selfish. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to… This is my list and you’re here to help me. The least I can do is buy you breakfast.”
“You already bought the balloon ride and put gas in my truck. I can’t keep taking your resources.”
“You’re not taking, I’m giving.” Had my offer offended him? I didn’t mean it to. He was basically bending to my whims, which I wasn’t sure I was handling right. I couldn’t offer much besides food. He wouldn’t get hung up on something like the woman picking up the tab, would he? “There’s nothing but gratitude for your time attached to my offer.”
Landon sighed and started the truck. “You don’t have to bribe me to be here. I’m here because I want to spend time with you.”
His logic didn’t sound right, but I didn’t have a comeback. Why wouldn’t he let me do this thing for him? “Maybe we should just go home.”
“If that’s what you want.” His tone was so flat, so emotionless, it crushed me.
That wasn’t fair. The reaction surged inside me. I hadn’t done anything wrong, and now I felt like I had to apologize? I was almost choking on the words, to make Landon happy again.
I clenched my jaw and swallowed a growl of frustration. I just wanted to understand where he was coming from. For him to see my side of things. I never pushed the issue this way, but today it seemed important. “What about when I want to go on all the roller coasters? Theme park tickets cost money.”
“Then Nigel can take you. Carly. Jeremy. Sonya. You have a mile-long list of friends and family.”
It was true, but I wanted to do a lot of these things with Landon. Not because I was being stubborn, but…because.
I didn’t like the silence that sank in between us. If I saidfine, just take me home, then the day would be over. It was possible more than that would be over. I didn’t like that possibility, but what was I supposed to do?
“It’s not a big deal to me,” I said.
Landon navigated morning traffic with ease. “What’s not?”
