Yes, her history mattered, but Scarlett had sealed the deal with Landon the minute she took the seat across from them. His gaze fell to the inside of her wrist, where she had an intricately inked feather standing in stark contrast to her porcelain skin.
Since Scarlett sat across from them, Sophia had already screened and approved her. The feather tattoo tipped the scale in her favor. Apparently, Robert had thought so too. After the initial introductions, Robert asked questions as if it were inevitable that they’d work together.
“Do you have any other questions?” Robert asked Landon, the weight of his hand resting on Landon’s thigh, drawing him back into the moment.
“Nothing more than I’d like to meet your family. It’s not a rush, I think Sophia has met them, right?” Landon asked.
“If you’re talking about Dr. Richardson, then yes. We’ve had home inspections, job references checked. They’ve interviewed my direct supervisor. They’ve talked to my daughter’s school and some character references. Dr. Richardson is very thorough. She explained to me that you matter to her.” She nodded as though saying if they mattered to Sophia, then they mattered to Scarlett too. That was another thing he liked: her positivity and willingness to help.
Robert did something Landon had never done in meeting any surrogate. “Sophia’s my biological mother. She’s been through all this personally. She takes such care with all their clients. I couldn’t have asked for better than her and her firm.”
“I did check you two out before I agreed to this meeting. I wondered if Dr. Richardson was involved in your birth,” she asked.
“I, of course, don’t remember that time.” Robert gave a throaty chuckle and a playful squeeze to Landon’s leg. “But my fathers would talk about the relationship they shared with Sophia throughout the pregnancy.” Robert hooked a thumb between him and Landon. “We’d like to be involved, attend doctor appointments—”
“And all the ultrasounds. I think I want one or two of those 3D ultrasounds,” Landon interrupted, seeing what the baby looked like fascinated him.
Robert nodded, giving him the where-had-that-come-from face. He got that same look a lot from Robert, and said, “Correct, we want to be very involved.”
“I hope you’ll be,” she said. “If you select me, I’ll take time off work and can be available anytime you want to check in.”
“Great, let us talk and we’ll be in touch. I think it’s safe to say we should schedule time to meet your family.” Robert looked at Landon for confirmation, and he nodded. “I’ll also have our legal team reach out to you. Make sure we’re all on the same page financially.”
“Great. Thank you for considering me. I’m excited to work with you two.” Scarlett gave them both an excited smile—Landon loved her genuineness—before she reached for her purse and jacket. They had some talking to do, but it sure appeared as if they’d found their surrogate.
When she handed over cash to pay her portion of the tab, Landon was sold right there. Literally everyone expected Robert to pay. Of course, his husband did so happily. Just like he refused Scarlett’s money. Robert understood his good fortune, but it helped Landon’s heart to see the effort she made to not take advantage.
Once Scarlett left, neither he nor Robert made a move to follow her out. They watched her through the front window all the way to her car. Landon broke the spell by saying, “I like her.”
“Me too. The feather was a nice touch.” Robert’s casual demeanor showed none of the intensity of the stare pinning Landon in his seat.
“You noticed that? I had to force myself not to tell her she was hired on the spot,” Landon said with a chuckle.
“Me too. I think she’s our woman.” Robert reached for the tab and signaled the single waitress working the small area. “Let’s meet her family next time you’re here. Until then, I’ll have Autumn’s firm reach out to them. I’ll get her an attorney too.”
When the check and the credit card were handed to the waitress, Landon said another thing he’d been considering while trying to decide how good a father he’d actually be. “We’re gonna be parents. It’s a good thing I’ve settled down since I met you. I used to be pretty hot-headed. I think I’m close to ready to do this.”
“Used to be?” Robert blurted pointedly, showing his serious doubt in Landon’s words.
“You didn’t know me before,” he said and lifted his arm off the back of Robert’s chair. Since the accusation in Robert’s words didn’t go unnoticed, Landon eased his hand up to mess that perfect model swoosh thing his hair did naturally. His husband didn’t like that move one bit, never did. Within two seconds, Robert finger-combed his hair back in place as he ducked away to sit on Scarlett’s side, knowing Landon would do it again. “At least I’ll be a parent before I’m forty.” Another teasing point. Robert turned forty next year. Landon wasn’t far behind him, but like Kylie had schooled them, Robert was always going to be the oldest no matter what.
“Stop talking about being forty. You’re such a killjoy.” Robert rose from his seat, reaching for his jacket, looking disgruntled as hell. It made Landon insanely happy, and he promised himself only twenty-five more age digs before their big day. Robert’s phone rang as he scribbled his name at the bottom of the tab. Landon reached for the cell, seeing Kennedy’s name flash on the screen.
“It’s your grandmother,” he said, sliding the phone over.
“Answer for me.” Robert stepped away, bringing both hands to his hair again, quickly smoothing it into place. Only because they were this far into their relationship did Landon not roast Robert, teasing him for worrying so much about his hair.
“Hi, Nonnie,”
