Robert slid his hand up Landon’s sides, over his pecs. “Tell me about it upstairs, away from prying eyes.” Robert pressed his fingers under Landon’s chin and angled his head in such a way that Landon had no choice but to look back over his shoulder to where he saw five guys watching them. When they caught his attention, they began all the kissy face bullshit that kindergarteners thought was fun, trying to have a great time at his expense.
He turned back to Robert who had a smirk on his face. “Solider friends of yours?”
“You think you’re pretty cute, don’t you?” he asked, teasing his sexy husband.
“I think you think I’m cute. Take me upstairs.” Robert moved his palms back to Landon’s chest. “I had a great time tonight.”
“If I have my way, it’s only going to get better.” Landon pushed back, taking Robert’s hand in one hand and, with the other, shot the finger at the guys in the distance. That only increased the volume on the teasing. They had a code to follow, and they’d all just guaranteed he’d get them back.
Chapter 38
September 2017
Landon stood in the foyer of the newly renovated La Bella Luna with his iPad in hand. He’d finished his training and had a couple weeks of leave before he had to be back in DC. He concentrated on each profile Robert had loaded into the restaurant’s new proprietary software, memorizing names to faces and the highlighted notes of each person attending their private pre-grand opening party tonight. Where Robert had done all the heavy lifting, remodeling the interior and revamping the menu, Landon had secretly started etiquette training in his very limited free time in Oklahoma City. He’d learned what he had feared to be true—he didn’t have the innate sense of manners to even pretend to be refined. Emily Post now topped his reads each night before bed. If nothing else came from all the study time, at least he now knew what that small fork was really for.
“You look handsome,” Robert said, edging past Landon to place a stack of electronic menus on the hostess stand. “I’m glad we splurged on a hand-made suit for you. It really brings out your build.”
“Stop distracting me,” Landon said and slid his finger over the screen to bring the next profile forward.
“Stop giving yourself anxiety.” Robert pulled the iPad from Landon’s hands and placed it in the top drawer of the hostess stand. “You know every bit of that information by heart. Now, go inspect your waitstaff.” Robert motioned with his thumb to a row of waiters and waitresses standing perfectly straight in a line behind them.
“This isn’t the military.”
“No, but the same rules apply.” Robert started their direction, and Landon trailed after him. “This will help you visually find things you might otherwise miss. Tonight’s too important to miss anything.”
Landon nodded and looked over each server. Robert supplied the uniforms—black pressed slacks, a freshly pressed white long-sleeve button-down, black belts, and polished black loafers. The men wore black ties clipped to their shirts, and the women wore a silk scarf pinned to their clothing. They were all well-groomed with any long hair pulled back off their faces—no messy buns allowed. They all smiled. Landon looked over at Robert and said, “What am I looking for?”
Robert clapped his hands once and broke out in a grin. “You all passed inspection; he’s got a good eye. Good job!” High fives and fist bumps were given from the group that seemed friendly with one another. Robert had personally trained each one himself. “Remember, Landon’s nervous. Keep an eye on him for me.”
“I’m not nervous…” Landon started to argue, knowing that was his defensive side spiking, because he did in fact have some major anxiety, so he turned back to the group to say, “I don’t want to embarrass y’all.”
“You won’t embarrass any of us,” Sebie, Robert’s right-hand man and team lead, declared with a confidence Landon didn’t possess then turned to the waitstaff, taking over the instruction. “Get your trays. Remember, for tonight only the champagne flutes are in the back of the kitchen, not the bar. A person is dedicated to filling those trays and will have them ready to distribute. And Chef Pacino’s a little stressed in there. Get in and out. Don’t linger.” He dismissed the waitstaff handling the drinks and turned to the others still standing in line. “Each tray has an assortment of entree samples of the new menu items. Stay in your section and quietly name each plate, stress the fresh ingredients, but any other questions, refer to Robert or Landon.” Landon immediately started shaking his head. “Okay, refer to Robert.”
“Can I talk to you?” Robert asked, not waiting for Landon’s answer. He took Landon by the arm and pulled him through the restaurant to the back office.
“We’ve got less than five minutes before the doors are unlocked. I need to be up front waiting,” Landon said once they made it to the office, away from any prying ears. Robert used a key to unlock the door then pushed Landon over the threshold, crowding him into the small space.
“You have to calm down,” Robert said, taking both of his hands, giving a gentle, firm squeeze.
“I can’t,” Landon shot back, exasperated. “I told you this wasn’t for me. I’m just so out of my league.”
“You can’t know that. We’re just getting started.”
When Landon started to object again, to explain exactly how he knew his words were fact, Robert pressed his fingers to Landon’s lips to stop him from speaking.
“You have to trust me, Landon. I would never put you in a situation that’s over your head. La Bella Luna is our restaurant. Yours and mine. From the napkins to the menu selections to the uniforms
