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To find the playful fun we had before the agonizing conversation about whether or not he’d let me pay for his food? “I booked us a flight to Paris that leaves in a few hours. It was a big hit to the wallet, but we’re not worrying about money.” I wasn’t sure exaggerating the point was the best idea, but it was what I had.
“Cute.” He didn’t sound bothered, despite his pursed lips.
“Hey. I’m funny,” I insisted.
Landon tapped the end of my nose with his finger. “Absolutely hilarious. You’re lucky you’re adorable.”
“Is that the only reason you’re here? Because you think I’m cute?” Insecurity washed in, carried on years of disappointment and always wondering if I was enough.
Landon furrowed his brow and there was a pause before he answered. “And also because you put out.”
My gut sank.
“I shouldn’t have said that.”
“No, it’s okay. We’re fooling around and stuff.” But my mood was squashed and my ego wasn’t doing much better.
“Look at me.” Landon tilted my chin up and forced my gaze to his. “Those were jokes, though not very good ones. I won’t ever hide the truth from you in passive-aggressive, off-hand comments. I’m here because I enjoy your company. Period. If there was no sex, if there was no fifteen-dollar bagel sandwich, I’d still be here. Hell, I’m here in spite of your not-boyfriend. I like spending time with you. I likeyou.”
His sincerity was audible, but the sting of the teasing words lingered. There wasn’t much conversation as we finished our breakfast.
“Do you want to see something amazing?” Landon asked as we threw our wrappers away and headed outside. “This one’s not on your list, but you have a lot on there around the beauty of nature.”
“What is it?”
“It’s a surprise.”
“Okay. Let’s go.” I wasn’t ready for the day to be over, and if this shifted the mood back to pleasant, I was in.
Landon took us up a back road I’d never been on before, through trees, past snow that hadn’t melted yet. It was cold and it was beautiful. I’d seen trees and mountains before, so it wasn’t new, but it was still pretty.
When we approached a long fence with a rolling chain link gate, and a guard station next to it, my stomach lurched. The men stationed there were dressed in black polo shirts and khakis, neither of which did much to conceal the firearms they carried.
I couldn’t imagine how any of this could be good. What were we driving into?
18
landon
Even if I couldn’t see Megan’s discomfort, herumm…was pretty telling. “We don’t have to be up here. We should go,” she said.
I wasn’t worried. “We’ll be okay, I promise.” The guard approached, and I gave a light wave. “Hey, Arnie.”
“Sergeant. How’s it going?’ Arnie bumped my fist.
“You know. Life’s life.”
“I do know. I know exactly what you mean.”
“Listen, I was hoping I could show my friend here the view.” I nodded at Megan.
Arnie ducked his head enough to see better through the car window and he smirked. “Morning, ma’am.”
“Hi,” Megan said shyly.
Arnie stepped back, pressed the button of the walkie-talkie on his shoulder, and said, “Open the gate.”
The fence in front of us rolled back.
