“No, I thought… I, yes, we were friends at Landstuhl—are friends.” Shit, he wasn’t even making sense to himself. Being called out about his radio silence took him by surprise. Guilt washed over him, and he wasn’t sure why. To distract himself, he lifted his near empty beer bottle toward the waitress who nodded her understanding. “I don’t know. I just didn’t want to bother you. You’ve done so much for me. I’ll never be able to repay you. I can’t help feeling like it’s all one-sided.”
“Explain to me why you believe this is one-sided,” Robert said, his eyes turning icy with intensity as he waited for a reply. An older man stepped up to the table. Big, burly, and luckily for Landon the man held two plates of hot food, saving him from answering Robert’s question. Going down that path would end in an argument, again.
“Boy, where you been? I’ve been worried about you!” The man was apparently the chef if his uniform told the story. Boisterous and possibly Cajun from the sound of the thick accent.
The chef got a good look at Landon, placing his plate on the table in front of him while Robert took his plate from the outstretched hand.
“Why doesn’t anyone ever try to contact me?” Robert’s good mood and teasing words seemed to take some of the huff out of the chef’s attitude. “I’ve been to Germany then Minnesota. I met Landon…in Germany.” Robert’s hand extended across the table toward him. “Landon, this is Lee, general manager, head chef, good friend, father of a godchild of mine. He lets me in here in the middle of the night to cook when I need an escape.”
“And I’ve missed you showing up like you do. I’ll let you eat, but we’re talking before you leave,” Lee said, pointing at Robert then giving Landon a nod.
“Sounds great. This looks delicious.” Robert dug in.
He didn’t know what he had been expecting this evening, but it certainly hadn’t been this friendly, down-to-earth gentleman who everyone in Landstuhl had deemed unapproachable. Robert was brilliant, an amazing listener, and easy to talk to. Not deserving of the reputation he’d been given at that German hospital. Landon just decided to go with it. He was happy the doctor seemed back to his normal self. Landon lifted the burger and took a big bite. The savory flavors exploded across his tongue. It was delicious. He took another bite, Robert chuckling at his groan of satisfaction.
“I told you the food was good.”
Chapter 14
The smile on Landon’s face made Robert’s body grow warm all over. He almost felt drunk. The happy kind. He was on cloud nine. They’d both been drinking, but not a lot, just enough to relax. He had set out for them to have fun and had accomplished it—with the help of the restaurant. He and Landon ended up moving to the bar, where they tested drinks created by the lead bartender, sampled desserts Lee brought out especially for them, and just had a really good time. At least Robert had, and judging from the smile directed at him, Landon had enjoyed the evening too.
“Wanna walk along the harbor?” He took the chance and asked Landon, hoping to keep the man with him a little longer. Time had flown by, and he wasn’t ready to call it a night just yet. Reaching out, Robert pushed the door open for Landon, encouraging him through.
Landon’s lips turned up into a smirk as he tipped his head for Robert to go first while reaching around him to hold the door. Landon was so close that Robert felt the heat of his body and got distracted by his alluring scent.
“You first, Doc.” Landon’s voice was a little thick and rough. The implications in that sexy growl curled around Robert’s balls. Did that mean yes? Robert was feeling the effects of the alcohol they’d drunk, maybe he should ask again to be sure they were on the same page.
“The harbor?”
“Sure,” Landon said eagerly, but then withdrew, tucking his fingers into the front pockets of his blue jeans as he stepped away. Those moves sent mixed signals; one second Robert could swear Landon was flirting with him, and the next, he felt as if Landon couldn’t get away quick enough. When the sergeant forgot and let his guard down, he was hilarious, genuine, and charming, but when Robert felt comfortable enough to test the waters and try to hold the man’s hand or show Landon he was interested in more, Landon did things that sent a different message. Like tucking his fingers in his pockets or crossing his arms over his chest, making Robert rethink his approach. “It’s a nice night.”
“Yes, it’s perfect. I’m so glad the weather cooperated. Let’s go this way.” Robert dropped his hand to the small of Landon’s back, guiding him down the partially lit walkway right along the river, farther away from the noisy crowd. The soft sounds of the night blanketed the hustle and bustle they left behind. The lights of the nearby restaurants and streetlights reflected off the water and the moon cast dark shadows along the bank. A soft breeze blew across his skin, reminding him of all the nights he’d spent searching for answers along this path. At that time, he’d never imagined he could feel this happy again.
“I had a nice time tonight.” Landon’s words brought a grin to his lips.
“Me too. Best night in a long time.” Robert was hyperaware of everything Landon. He knew the second Landon’s hand dropped to his side. If Robert didn’t do or say something, he would absolutely regret it. His nerves spiked. The butterflies took flight again inside his stomach. Overthinking the situation wasn’t helping.
