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“And it’s good that it’s with you,” Claire said. “Just in case you wondered.”
He felt like she had caught him, and he felt the color rush to his cheeks and chest. “Um, thanks.”
“Hey,” Hailey said, coming to the door. “Thanks for coming.” She hugged Claire.
“Yeah, thanks, Claire, for doing this on short notice. Sorry I didn’t find out until today,” Landon said.
“No problem,” Claire waved a hand in the air. “Deacon is at a conference this weekend. All I was going to do was veg out and watch a movie anyway.”
“I hope the kids behave. They can watch a movie, and then go to bed,” Hailey said.
“No worries. I can handle this,” Claire assured her.
Landon checked his watch. “The pizza should be here any minute. I paid for it over the phone, so you just need to sign for it.”
“Perfect. I love pizza. I promise, I got this. You two should just go before the kids come out and beg you to stay.”
Landon chuckled, but only then did he allow himself to look at Hailey. “Wow,” he said before he could stop himself. “You look amazing.” She wore a navy dress that fell to just below her knees. Her high-heeled shoes made her taller than normal, and he could look her directly in the eyes.
“Thanks,” she said, brushing off the comment. “Claire’s right. Let’s go before Carter finds out you’re here.”
He didn’t say a word as he followed her out the door.
“Have fun!” Claire called out behind them.
Landon wouldn’t even have to try. He knew he was about to have the time of his life.
The drive to the restaurant was filled with conversation from the day. Hailey told him about Carter’s near injury on the playground when a kid dared him to jump from the monkey bars, and about Charlotte’s grade on her spelling test, and about Ellie’s disappointment in her afternoon snack. Landon relished it. He couldn’t explain it, but it was so nice to hear about the ordinary parts of their life. And more than that, to know that now he was a part of it too.
“What are your plans this weekend?” Landon asked as they were seated at the table.
“Oh, you know, our usual excitement,” Hailey answered.
“So, a trip to Paris? Broadway shows? Shopping?”
Hailey giggled. “Is that what you think we do?”
Landon couldn’t help it. He reached out and took her hand in his. “No, but I think anything with you and the kids would be an exciting weekend that would rival trips around the world or expensive shows.”
Hailey pressed her lips together and put her other hand to her chest. “Do you really think that?”
“Of course I do. And even if your weekend includes mopping floors and cleaning out expired food from the fridge, I want to be there.”
“You’re in luck then because that’s exactly what’s on my list.”
“Great, what time should I be there?”
“Landon, be serious for a minute.” Hailey paused and blinked as if she was carefully weighing her next words. “Is this really what you want for your life? You are still young and single, and you’re free to do whatever you want. I just don’t want you to make a decision now that you regret later.”
He rubbed his thumb over her fingers. “How could I ever regret spending time with you? Hailey, you are sweet and kind, and you’re an amazing woman. I see the way you care about people in your life, and it makes me want to be one of those people.”
“But are you really sure? Think about six months from now or more. Is this what you want?”
Landon sighed. “Honestly, Hailey, if you had asked me that six months ago, I would have had a different answer. All I cared about was my career, and I didn’t want anything to tie me down or keep me from it. Then everything changed. You and the kids have shown me what it was like to be part of a family. A real family. I’ve never had that before, and I think I would be the luckiest man in the world to be part of it.”
Hailey furrowed her eyebrows. “You didn’t grow up with a family?”
Landon leaned back and pulled his hand from her as if recoiling in pain.
