AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“They didn’t. The school covered it up...they...” He arched his eyebrow and a stony expression came over his face as his jaw clenched. “Schools back then weren’t as sensitive about that sort of thing as they are now.”
“You’re right.” I cocked my head as I considered what he’d shared, how hard it must have been for him to go through, and how difficult it must have been to talk about even now. “Is that why you’re so focused on communication? Why you bought Chatter? Because of the stutter?”
He nodded. “And...why I want to open that food pantry I showed you earlier today. Because I know what it means to be on the outside, and I want to create places where people get to be on the inside.”
I marveled at the comment, and at the clarity that came with it. Landon had a mission in life, one that threaded so many of his decisions. Once more, I took in how unexpectedly handsome he was, something that stood out against the crisp white walls and brand-new atmosphere of the lobby. And it seemed to me he’d grownbetterlooking in the short time we’d spent together.My God...
“How is that possible?” I murmured.
“How iswhatpossible?” he asked. “Do you mean how is it possible to get used to criticism?”
I blinked at him a few times, shocked I’d asked the question aloud. “No, I mean...nothing.” I looked away as my stomach twisted and my cheeks warmed. “Forget it, I’m thinking about a bunch of things at once.”
“Well, while you’re thinking, I have to add something else to your list.”
I returned my attention to him. He sounded like he was back in CEO mode, all business, nothing personal. “What’s that?”
“There’s a party tonight at my property for some of the VIPs involved in this acquisition.” He shifted his weight in the chair. “It’s not on your itinerary. Frankly, I wasn’t sure I wanted to invite you.”
“Understandable.”
“But now I’ve decided that would be a good idea. I think you’d get a lot out of it.” He leaned forward, and his next words were much quieter. “I think I would too.”
I sucked in a deep breath as an energy passed between us, something that felt far outside the realm of a normal professional relationship.Maybe I am reading him right...“You would?”
“I know a good thing when I see it.”
I wished for the second time in as many days that I had something to hold on to, something to steady me. “What time?” I managed.
“It starts at seven. Cocktails. Some entertainment. A few speeches. The usual stuff you must do to launch something like this.” He glanced at his watch. “In fact, they’ve been setting up on the lawn for most of the time we’ve been gone.”
“Really?”
“Peggy has it under control. She always does.”
“It’s great you’re able to count on someone like her.”
“Wouldn’t trust anyone else, believe me. She’s fantastic.”
“I look forward to putting her in this profile.” I regarded him for a moment. “You know, you’re not at all what I thought you’d be.”
“And what did you think?”
“Just that you’d be... colder. And... I’m not sure. Weirder?”
A smile pulled at the corners of his eyes. “I promise, I’m plenty weird.”
“Aren’t we all?”
He laughed. “So, what do you think? Will you be coming tonight?”
I nodded. “Of course. Can’t really see how I’d want to miss it. It’s another chance to get material for my profile, right?”
“You don’t need to work the whole time you’re here.” He leaned forward, his gaze on me. “You can have fun too.”
Behind his eyes was something I couldn’t place.
