"Really? You wouldn’t pick some prince who would be king one day?" I joke.
"Not a chance. Prince charming isn't good enough for you, but Dallas is. He's always been there for both of us; he's protected you and me more times than I can count."
"He has, but we've been there for him, too. Don't forget that. You’ll always be his best friend no matter what happens with us, and that won't change."
"I know it won't, he promised me that, too."
We talk a bit about Dallas and some of our favorite childhood memories of the three of us, until we’re finished with dinner.
On the way out, we get stopped by a table of three girls, who recognize Landon.
"Oh my, gosh, it's Landon Anderson!" They squeal, and I just smile. "Can we get your autograph?" The tall blonde one asks.
"Yeah." Then, he turns to me, "You got a pen, A?" He asks.
That's when their eyes flash to me. I figure it will go one of two ways. Either they will recognize me, or they will turn back to Landon and ignore me.
Boy, was I wrong. The shorter brunette turns to Landon.
"Is this your girlfriend?" She asks.
Landon's eyes go wide, as he looks at me, and I start laughing so hard my eyes tear up, and I stop to search in my purse for a pen.
"How the hell is that funny?" He asks, and I shake my head, still laughing.
I look up at the girls who are looking at me like I'm a bit crazy.
"I'm sorry. After the conversation we just had over lunch, and then you asking that question." I laugh. "Yeah, no, I'm his sister."
They relax after that and laugh a little, too. Finally, I pull out a pen and a small notebook I carry with me for situations just like this. Landon signs a few autographs, and I take some pictures of him with the girls.
A few people stop us on our way out, until Mason leans in.
"Boss, we’re going to be late." He says.
This is the phrase used to get us out of what will turn into a never ending line of autographs and photos.
There are lots of sighs and a few people snapping photos, as we walk out of the door, before we’re back in the car.
Landon looks over at me, and I start laughing again, and he just shakes his head and starts the car.
"One of these days, I'm going to say yes and let them post it, and then the people who know better can tear them apart just for entertainment. Because your real fans will at least recognize me, even if they don't care about me." I tell him. That’s why I laughed so hard. I pictured doing that but couldn't stop laughing long enough to pull it off.
I pull down the visor and check my eye makeup, which isn't as bad as I thought.
"Okay, where to next?" I ask.
"One more stop, it's a surprise."
We drive back towards the house but keep driving further outside of town. We pull up to a dirt driveway with an old iron fence that is propped open. There’s a for sale sign near the street, but you can't see the house from here.
"Let's go take a look?" He says.
I nod. I love historic homes and getting to peek in them, while they’re for sale is one of the benefits of having a famous brother. This used to be one of our favorite pastimes, when I lived with him. He has the bank account to pay for any of them, so we'd set up appointments to go look, and then he'd tip the real estate agent, because we started to feel bad about not buying them. Yet, it didn't stop us.
It's been a while, since we did this, so I'm excited to check it out. It's not too far from our place and downtown. Who knows? Maybe, I will fall in love with it and buy it for myself with that money I never touch. I've always thought of buying an old southern home, and then fixing it up. Someday.
As the house comes into view, I gasp. It's beautiful and like one of those old southern homes used in the movies. White with green shutters and two-story columns, along the front porch. It looks like it's been kept up pretty well, and there are some really old trees in the yard. It's breathtaking.
Parking, I can't take my eyes off the house.
"I thought you’d like it. Let's go check out the inside." He says, and then his phone rings.
"Shoot, I need to answer this. Go on in the front door. It should be open, and I'll be right in."
I don't even argue and just make my way up the path to the front door. It's beautiful. The front porch has plenty of room for several seating areas, and I can see the three of us out here just talking. Maybe Ivy, Dom, and Deanna joining us.
The front door is open like he said, but the inside is the last thing I was expecting. The lights are dim, and there’s a trail of rose petals from the entryway, leading into the house.
What the heck is going on? Curiosity wins over, and I slowly follow the rose petals to the back of the house, where there’s a wide-open room with views over the back of the property.
The room is surrounded by hundreds of tea light candles all glowing, and in the middle of the room, is Dallas.
Chapter 40
Dallas
I have never been so nervous in my life. Today, is the day that can change my whole life, one way or another. Things will never be the same. Knowing I have Landon's support, means everything.
As soon as Landon and Austin left the house, it was time to get my plan into action. Landon helped me load up the car last night, and Mason wanted to help too, so he sent some of his guys ahead
