“I’ll send the design to your email. It’s not too late to change some of the details, so look when you can.” Robert went straight to the front doors of the high-rise building and out to their waiting town car just feet away. The unseasonably warm DC winter was coming to an end. A cold front had been forecasted to arrive right as Landon was scheduled to fly out.
Robert’s rush and the chaos of trying to complete everything before they left had dulled the glaring fact that they were leaving one another. Understanding hit them both seconds after Robert climbed in behind Landon and shut his door. Robert’s blue eyes bore into his as his husband reached for the button to lift the glass partition separating them from the driver.
“I miss you already.”
Landon pushed himself to the center of the seat. He cupped Robert’s neck to draw him forward. “You’re coming to Oklahoma next weekend. It’s not that far away. We can do this.”
Robert’s lips rested against his, kissing him softly before moving inches away. “Next weekend then every two weeks until you can get free and come see me. I’m not sure how well I’ll handle this separation. You’re the center of my world. I’ll go crazy without you.”
Landon laughed and tapped his temple with his finger. “I’m worried about the chaos coming back.” His attempt at lifting their mood failed as Robert furrowed his brow and took Landon’s hand in his.
“No matter what happens, you remember how much I love you. That’s never going to change. I’ll schedule everything around the times you can call. You remember I’m there waiting for you, building our life until you can join me.” Robert’s sorrowful tone and desperate edge shredded his heart and had Landon tightening his grip at his husband’s neck.
“I wouldn’t be doing this if I didn’t have to.”
“I know. I can be brave, waiting for my soldier to come home to me again.” The sweet, overly dramatic words had Landon lifting Robert’s hand to his lips.
He pressed a kiss on Robert’s skin, feeling like he wanted to cry. He’d sounded so cavalier when he had suggested they could make this work, but his own despair made him edgy as hell.
“I never took us for granted. I knew this could happen… you’re very important to me.”
This time, Landon memorized Robert’s hand in his, the pressure and weight imprinting on his soul. The swell of emotion building in Landon was reflected in Robert’s eyes. Those blue eyes turned bluer as they filled with tears. He was losing the battle of keeping a stiff upper lip. Robert looked away, clearing his throat before he could speak.
“This will make us stronger…”
“We’re already strong.” Landon’s faced looked pained. He certainly didn’t expect Robert’s response to be a laugh straight in his face before leaning in and pressing his lips to Landon’s. This time his tongue slipped past his lips. Landon opened and kissed Robert with all the love and devotion he held inside his heart. The drive to the airport took no time, which was about the amount of time Robert had to get to his flight. Robert exited one way and Landon went the other. They reached the trunk along with the driver at the same time. The driver reached for Robert’s two suitcases. Landon grabbed his winter coat and computer bag, handing them over as they walked toward the front doors of the airport. “Sir, I can’t park here.”
“Go. I love you. Call me when you get to the hotel,” Robert said, leaning in to kiss Landon as an airline employee came forward to take his bags.
“Fuck, I don’t want to do this.” Landon felt like he was being ripped apart on the inside. He wanted to run away with Robert while they still had the chance, but he didn’t. He stood there, fisting Robert’s shirt to keep him as close as possible and kissed him again.
“Babe, go. You’ll be late for your flight,” Robert said, gallantly trying to step away. His fist in Robert’s shirt tightened, drawing his husband in for one last hug. He needed to feel Robert’s arms around him.
“You take care of yourself. You don’t have me watching your back,” Landon whispered in his ear.
“Same goes for you. I love you,” Robert said, kissing him again, a hard press of lips before pulling away. “Go, you’re making this too hard.”
Landon nodded. “I love you, too.”
Robert was right. He made this harder than it had to be. He forced himself to let go of Robert’s shirt and walked backward to the waiting car, hearing airport security yelling at their driver to get the car moving. He had one foot inside the backseat as Robert looked back and lifted his hand. His life disappeared inside the airport. Landon dropped down inside the car, waving the driver to start moving. This felt wrong. He should be by Robert’s side.
Chapter 36
Ten days later
Landon stared at the utter destruction of La Bella Luna’s interior dining room as Robert used WhatsApp to catch him up on the progress in the restaurant. He narrowed his eyes at what could only be described as a renovation gone wild. Actually, it looked more like a bomb had detonated. Wires, insulation, and exposed bricks filled the screen. Robert seemed so proud of how quickly things had come together. Landon couldn’t help but wonder how bad it must have been before.
“I feel like you can’t fully see from this angle, but it’s really coming along. They’re doing drywall tomorrow then the magic begins.” Robert’s handsome face came back to the phone’s view.
His mister looked tired from the long hours he’d put in, but happy and perhaps more content than Landon remembered ever seeing him. Maybe some of Robert’s ghosts
