Page 67 of This Side of Beautiful

He rubbed his shoulder and barked, “Landon, get your woman.”

An amused Landon folded his arms, allowing me the floor to speak my mind.

“Exactly. That’s what I am to him. I want you to be friends again. I don’t have any, and that’s the loneliest thing in the world. And I’m not the type of woman who wants to ruin friendships… at least not anymore. I already know what your smart ass was about to say.” I held my hand up when Cedrick started to protest. “We’re together, and things will change for him and for me. Just like whenever you get a woman or children, things will change. You all can’t be these boys forever.” I quirked a brow and glared at the four men, who all seemed to be listening. “The film crew will be here later today because I didn’t want them to disturb our initial flow. That was a feat in itself, because I really don’t have the power to tell them what to record or not record without an argument.”

I took a deep breath. “Right now, I’ll get myself something to eat and enjoy the city while you work out whatever you need to work out. Text me when you need me back here.”

Landon’s eyes were appreciative, and I squeezed his hand as I moved past him to the door.

“Janae?” Charles called. I looked over my shoulder, and his shy grin erased time from his thirty-three years. “You have friends now.”

My heart fluttered as I gave him a little wave and exited the studio. I’d done my part to restore goodwill. The rest was up to Landon.

I’d never been invited to eat by another woman unless it was for business, and I couldn’t help the smile that crept across my face when I spotted Frankie at the back of the restaurant. I bent to hug her before I settled across from her.

She gestured to the carafe. “I ordered already. You want a mimosa?”

I shook my head. “I don’t drink anymore.”

Frankie snapped her fingers. “That’s right. You and Landon are the clean ones. Is he against you drinking?”

“I don’t like how I am when I drink. He loves that I don’t anymore, but he isn’t the reason,” I explained. “I’ve never been that chick, to do what a man told me to do, unless it was some sort of sexual game.”

She sipped on her drink. “I hear that.”

“What’s going on? Where’s Jeri?”

“Who knows? She’s a party girl, living it up. I’ve never been one, and I’m past that stage now anyway. I’m chill in my room, reading or watching TV. Trying to keep up with Cedrick has been tiring. He still loves the club.”

“Probably always will. Music and loud energy are in his blood. Just like the rest. Landon is the only one who prefers quiet.”

“You lucked out with him. A handsome and rich musician who doesn’t have a roaming eye is a blessing. The way that man defends you and is all about you is so sexy. Had Cedrick and the guys all quiet and numb after you left, trying to figure out what just happened.”

“I hope they’re working it out. I don’t want to be the cause of any rift in the band. I told Cedrick and the guys to grow up because they’re not used to Landon doing something just for himself. He’s always been about the band, and they could do whatever they wanted, and now he has me. And I want him to have me and Hollow Bones. Cedrick has to accept I’m not going anywhere, like I accept he isn’t either.”

“I like you more and more each day,” Frankie said.

“I feel the same about you. When we get back to Los Angeles, we have to do brunch and get manis and pedis and all that girl stuff,” I said, hopeful that my lonely days were over even if, by chance, Landon and I didn’t make it.

“Always down for brunch and a good spa day.” Frankie held her glass up.

The waitress approached. “Do you need more… Wait, are you MILA?”

Frankie firmly corrected her, “Warner. She’s Janae Warner now.”

I smiled at Frankie’s defense of me and then at the waitress. “I like to be called by my birth name.”

The waitress nodded. “I apologize.”

“No need. I want egg whites scrambled with spinach, any cheese but cheddar or American, and any mixture of fruit. Perrier water with a side of lemon.” Another reason I didn’t like taking meds. I couldn’t mix any type of citrus fruit with my meds, which made my daily routine of drinking water infused with lemon and lime challenging.

The waitress walked away.

Frankie took a sip of her mimosa. “How has it been dating Landon?”

“It is a blessing, and I’m glad we found each other. Sometimes I do wish he liked to be outside. I’m more like Cedrick and the guys. I love a good party or two.”

“Does he care if you hang out?”

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