He nods. “Yeah, one day. At least two, if not more. It was lonely growing up as an only child.”
“Right?” I say, nodding. “I was always allowed to have friends over, but it isn’t the same. Not only that, but I’ll never be an aunt, not by blood anyway. Well, I guess if my future husband has a sibling who has kids. CJ is the closest thing to a nephew for me.”
“You know, I never really thought about that.”
I shrug. “I begged my mom for a sibling when I was little. It wasn’t until I was older that I understood that she needed a man to make that happen. My dad never knew about me. I guess he was just passing through. They spent a magical week together, and then he was gone. She didn’t know how to reach him, and when she finally found him, he was married. Mom just figured it was easier to let it go. I was eight at the time.”
“That had to have been hard. Growing up without a dad.”
“My mom is amazing, and except for the father-daughter dances, I didn’t really notice much. It was me and Mom against the world.”
“My parents said they didn’t want more than one. That they couldn’t imagine loving another like they did me.” He grins and winks. I appreciate that he realized the conversation was getting heavy and his attempt to lighten it is greatly appreciated. I don’t really talk about my dad. I’m surprised I did just now. Something about Landon gets me opening up.
“Is that how the story goes?” I tease. “Would they tell the same version?”
“Okay, so maybe they said I was more than they could handle.” He laughs, and the sound fills the kitchen and makes my house feel not so… lonely.
Landon helps himself to another serving while I finish my first. He polishes it off and stands, taking both of our plates to the sink. In no time at all, we have the kitchen cleaned up and Landon pulls me by the hand back to the living room. This time he sits down on the couch, his back propped up on the arm, and spreads his legs, patting the empty space between them for me to sit. “I don’t think I’ve had enough experimenting to know if I really like this cuddling business.” He smirks and I roll my eyes.
“Come on, freckles, humor me.” He tugs gently on my hand and I plop down on the couch. Rolling onto my side, I rest my head on his chest. He pulls the cover over me and begins to surf through the channels. He stops on some Sci-Fi movie. I hear the sound of the remote being placed on the end table, and then feel his hand as he rests his large palm against my back.
We’re both quiet for several minutes. He begins to rub his hand up and down my back, and my body relaxes further into him. I should fight it, but I don’t have the power. For tonight, I’ll let him win. We’re just two friends hanging out and watching a movie. There will never be anymore than that, not between us.
“Not bad for date number three,” he says softly, bending down so I can hear him better.
I peer up at him, and his blue eyes are soft as they take me in. “This wasn’t a date.”
“Oh, Em, it was a date. I brought you flowers, we had dinner, and now I’m holding you. It’s a pretty damn good one if I do say so myself.”
“Landon—” I start, but he places his index finger up to my lips to stop me. “Just pretend with me. For tonight, let’s just pretend that this is our normal.”
It’s a bad idea. A very freaking bad idea, and I know this, but I nod anyway. It’s like I can’t seem to control my reaction when I’m this close to him. He runs his thumb under my cheek and for a brief moment, I think he’s going to lean even closer and kiss me. He doesn’t. He smiles softly, drops his hand, and turns his attention back to the TV. All the while, he never stops tracing the length of my back.
I’m in trouble.
I’m in so much trouble.
Chapter 8
Landon
I know the exact minute that she falls asleep. Her body fully relaxes into mine, and her breathing evens out. Slowly, I exhale as I try to decipher what’s going on. As I try to wrap my head around what the fuck I’m doing. I’m surprising myself with this girl. I’m not acting like me at all, yet at the same time, it all feels… right.
The more I’m around her, the more I want to be. Is it the chase? No, surely not. Yeah, I want her to agree to go out with me without me having to trick her, but the funny thing is, it’s not really about that now. Suddenly, it’s just about spending time with her. Hearing her laugh, getting one of those beautiful smiles directed my way. It’s watching her green eyes sparkle when she pretends to be irritated, or the way she trusts me to hold her here on her couch while she sleeps peacefully.
Life comes easy to me. Football was something I picked up on at a young age and my skill has just grown from there. I’ve never really had to struggle or want for anything. Even my professional football career, the scouts were coming to watch me play as a freshman. Yes, I worked hard, I give it all I’ve got, but it doesn’t feel like work when it’s something that you love.
Even women. I was the hot new QB on campus, and the girls flocked to me. Same way in high school. I’ve never had to find female companions, never had to pursue someone. Turns out, I like it. I like it a lot. In fact, I love
