Kid. I had never hated that word more than I did now.
This made me sick as well as pissed me off. He had the right to date whoever he wanted to. I had no claim on him. But I also didn’t deserve a dismissive comment like being too young for him when he was running around town banging girls who were the same age.
I would never again hear that horrendous word without wanting to run over Landon Layne with my Tacoma. It may not be as big as his full-size obnoxious Ram truck, but I was sure it would still hurt bouncing off the hood.
A light knock had me pausing with my hand held high toward the ceiling fan in my kitchen. I wasn’t expecting anyone. Looking down at my disheveled appearance, I cringed. I was a mess.
Tiptoeing across the kitchen, I peered out through the small peephole and saw a young boy on the other side. He held an arrangement of flowers in front of him, and instantly I was positive he had the wrong apartment.
I tucked my hair behind my ear and smoothed out my wrinkled shirt, as if it mattered. Reaching for the lock, I opened the door and peeked through the crack.
“Ms. Rigdon?”
“Yes.”
“I have a delivery for you.” Was he for real? Allowing the door to gape open further, I stepped out and scanned over the arrangement, looking for confirmation on the clipboard he held.
“You had to have read that wrong.” There was no other explanation.
“No.” I looked up at him and watched as he slid his finger over the sheet. “It says it right here.” Again I looked at the clipboard when he pushed it out closer. “Chloe Rigdon, apartment 3B.” Sure enough, that was the name and address written out, but again I was still confused.
“Who the hell would send me flowers?” I never meant to ask that out loud, but he simply shrugged as he held them out. I didn’t miss the humor dancing in his eyes as his lips tilted up in a smile.
Taking the flowers in hand, I committed to memory the bright colors and the fresh scent. I was so enthralled with the beauty that I didn’t hear the boy say goodbye or even see him turn to walk away. The only indication that he had left was the ding of the elevator just as I looked up to see him step inside. He offered a wave, and I backed into my apartment, letting the door close behind me.
Rounding the bar that separated my kitchen and living space, I set the vase down and began looking for the card.
Hidden beneath the spanning colors was an envelope with a small note tucked inside.
I’m not such a bad guy. Just give me one shot to prove that.
Landon
My heart rate soared, and I felt my throat grow tight. I didn’t know what to think, but I also knew that I didn’t like being toyed with. I understood that he and I would be forced to be around one another on occasion, but that didn’t mean he had to go to this extreme. We could be civil without actually having to be friends. The last thing I wanted was for him to take pity on me.
Leaning in before I could stop myself, I breathed in the aroma and felt myself smile uncontrollably. I had never received flowers from anyone before.
My phone rang from somewhere in the apartment, and reluctantly, I backed away from the beautiful arrangement in search of the obnoxious device.
Grace flashed across the screen, and I was instantly thankful to have someone to help me figure this out.
“Hello.” I looked back up to the flowers that remained on my counter only ten feet away, and again I smiled. It was almost uncontrollable. I didn’t want to feel such joy because this wasn’t some lovesick man trying to impress the girl of his dreams. It was just the opposite, a guy who felt the need to ease the strain between friends. If you could even consider us to be that—acquaintances was more like it.
“Are you done cleaning yet?” She’d texted me earlier about going swimming, and I’d declined. “Because I’m tired of laying out alone, and AJ is trapped by my brother. I swear he never lets her out of his sight.”
“I got flowers.” Maybe it was wrong of me to blurt it out like that, but I was bursting at the seams, or so it felt. “From Landon.” Again I was met with nothing but silence. “I’m not sure what to think of it or why he’d even send them, but they are here, on my counter, just”—I pause, feeling overwhelmed suddenly—“staring at me."
“Your flowers are staring at you?” I heard the humor in her question.
“You know what I mean.” This was not the time for her to pick apart my crazy. “Besides, you are missing a very crucial part. They are from Landon.” I enunciated his name very slowly. “He sent me flowers.”
“It’s sweet.” Oh my God, I needed to call Maddison. These times called for someone who did not have their head in the clouds. Sweet, sweet Grace, I loved her to death, but the girl was a dreamer. She was all romantic hearts and rainbows, and right now I was in desperate need of someone who had been through the bullshit. I needed Maddison—plus she had a bit of insight. Mike knew Landon better than any of us.
“I need to call you back.” I heard her arguing as I ended the call, and for a second, I felt bad. But only for a second, because I was in desperate need of some clarity.
Calling Maddison, I was met
