Funny how intimidation worked. Landon had thought he was done with being made to feel inferior after he had signed the paperwork granting him half of everything Robert owned. At the time, Robert explained his desire to have Landon comfortable with their life, and since his money was a trigger for Landon’s insecurity, Robert had just given it to him. Even stranger, for some reason it had worked. Landon had understood Robert’s line of thinking and explanation, and Landon had settled into their lives. Of course, he wouldn’t touch any of Robert’s cash. Landon lived his life on what he made. He contributed to their household by paying all their utilities with his income, but the act of giving Landon access to Robert’s wealth had settled his nerves.
Now though, he’d gone full circle. He shouldn’t ever be part owner in something that held such historical value to the Adams family. And damn the Air Force for moving so quickly to grant him permission. When had they ever moved that fast?
Instead of going down that downward spiraling headspace again, Landon concentrated on the dream he’d been having for the last several months. The one that had the word children tumbling out of his mouth the other night. In his dream, a blond-headed little boy stood by his side. He and the little guy were flying a remote-controlled airplane, and the boy’s big blue eyes and bright smile beamed at Landon with excitement after he had properly executed a flying maneuver. The boy called Landon Papa when he excitedly asked him to make the plane do it again. His heart connected so strongly to the little boy that it felt more like a premonition than a dream, at least to his heart.
He hadn’t shared his dream with Robert, probably one of the only secrets he’d kept from his husband, who’d also become his very best friend. Landon loved the little bubble they lived within, but their secluded world appeared to be coming to an end. Robert was going one direction, leaving for Minnesota at the end of this meeting. Landon planned to head out for Oklahoma shortly after. Maybe he should have left the Air Force years ago.
“Sign here, babe,” Robert said and managed to wrangle his hand free from Landon’s tight grip. Two sets of eyes focused questioning gazes Landon’s direction.
“Sir, if you aren’t comfortable—” the attorney started, looking unsure at Landon.
Both Autumn, who was on a video call, and Robert blurted out, “No, don’t give him an out.”
The brother/sister team provided the perfect comic relief. Landon chuckled and leaned forward, picking up the pen to scribble his name—his hyphenated last name, Landon Russo-Adams—alongside Robert’s.
“Perfect, I’ll get you copies.”
“It’s not necessary. Give mine to Robert.” Landon got to his feet, assuming the meeting had come to an end. They had a driver waiting, needing to go straight to the airport. Time was an issue. Handshakes were given then Landon went to stand by the office door, while he waited on Robert to follow him out.
Robert pressed his hand to the small of Landon’s back, guiding him to the elevator as if he didn’t know the way. His husband did those possessive moves all the time. Heads turned as they made their way out of the office. No doubt stealing glances at Robert. When he wore his custom-made business suits, the fit and cut only drew attention to Robert’s handsome features like a damn neon sign. The guy was so fucking GQ sexy.
Once inside the elevator, Landon tucked his hands inside his pants pockets. He fixated on Robert, memorizing everything about him. His heart clenched at how badly he already missed their lives. Robert gave an audible sigh of relief as he poked a finger in his knotted silk tie, loosening its tight hold. “I wish I had thought to bring a change of clothes for the plane.”
Out of the whirlwind last few days of haggling out the details of buying La Bella Luna to managing the complaints of the sudden shutdown of the taco stand to closing their DC townhome, Robert’s frustration remained on his clothing. This morning, he’d complained adamantly about having to wear the suit in the first place.
“Did I hear Autumn say you’re canceling all reservations and closing the restaurant down already?” With everything going on, the details were beginning to blur.
“Yes. Remember, we agreed upon the final design details last night?” Robert pulled the silk tie free, reaching inside the collar to unbutton the small buttons at the top. “I woke you and showed you. You nodded; I felt like you were awake. It was the design we both liked from the beginning. We’re using Layne Construction’s remodel crew. They had a sudden cancellation, and I jumped on the opening.”
Landon nodded, having no idea which interior design he’d agreed to. It didn’t matter. Robert had hired the very best design company in the world. When money wasn’t a worry, things moved quicker than Landon thought possible.
With those details hammered out, Robert could spend his energy working with Helene and Chef Pacino to modernize the recipes. Landon could see heads butting between Robert and Chef Pacino. Robert wanted the cleanest, healthiest foods available with a strong emphasis on both fresh and unique vegetables, something currently unimportant in the restaurant’s serving patterns.
“You have no idea what I’m talking about,” Robert stated at his silence, extending a hand to encourage Landon out of the elevator when the doors opened on the ground level.
“It’s been a lot,” he said over
