Page 55 of Doing It for Love

Mom pays for the cab, knocking my hand away when I reach for my purse. I’m glad, because I couldn’t even pay for half of it, but I’m also upset, because I should be able to take care of myself if I’m trying to prove I’m ready for marriage. So instead of focusing on my feather-light pocketbook, I drive all attention to Landon.

“I hope you like him,” I tell her as we get out of the elevator.

“Well, if he’s anything like his best friend, I say his chances are pretty good.”

I laugh and put the key in the door. Alec and Landon are similar, yet so different. Alec’s quieter, but get him with the guys and he comes out of his shell. Whereas Landon is kind of out there, but get him with the guys and he keeps to himself. He’s not a big fan of crowds. But he is great one-on-one. Maybe I should let him take Mom out for dinner or something and I’ll pretend I’m sick.

No, that’d be evil.

“Just a warning, Landon’s been home a lot lately and I have no clue what the place looks like.”

Surprisingly, the apartment is pretty clean. Landon’s damn socks are on the floor, but at least there aren’t any dishes in the sink or on the coffee table.

“That you, Tumbles?” Landon calls from the room.

“Yep!”

“Come check out the costume I got.”

My mom shuts the door behind her and takes off her jacket. “Tumbles?”

“Long story,” I say, setting my keys down. “Give me a second to warn him you’re here?”

Her head moves, but she stops mid-nod. Eyes wide, she stares over my shoulder as booming “Old Time Rock and Roll” plays from down the hall. Landon bursts from the bedroom, landing feet apart, arm pointing straight at me. He’s in nothing but a white button-down, briefs, and sunglasses. His lips sync the words for about two seconds, until he sees my mom.

He shoots upright, hands covering his crotch and red splashing all up and down his neck.

“Uh…,” he mutters, completely dumbfounded. I can feel my mom shaking with laughter.

“Mom, Landon. Landon, Mom.”

Landon’s jaw drops slightly. He quickly takes his sunglasses off, sort of waddles down the hall, and awkwardly reaches around me for Mom’s hand.

“Well, this is just how I wanted to meet you,” he jokes. I’m so embarrassed for him I want to hide my face, but Mom laughs and shakes his hand.

“Nice legs.”

“Nice hands. Very soft.” He pulls back with a smile. “I’m gonna go put on some pants.”

His face is still red as he walks backward into the room and shuts the door. I turn to apologize to my mom, wondering who wins the parental meet and greet fail, but when I lock eyes with her, she’s grinning from ear to ear.

“I like him.”

Chapter 17

“What’s this from?” Mom asks, taking the painted shoelace of Landon’s between her fingers. She’s been admiring our collage wall since Landon left for the party. He didn’t want to go, but I wanted some alone time with Mom to go over wedding details.

“My engagement party.”

“You dipped your shoelaces in pink paint?”

“Those are actually Landon’s. Paint war. Whatever he says…I won.”

She laughs and lets her fingertips trail over the pictures, movie ticket stubs, and the bowling score sheet from our first date. She pauses at one of me and Theresa backstage at the first play Landon directed. Well…assistant directed. Alec got the lead because it was a musical, but Jace probably would’ve snagged it if it hadn’t been.

“Your hair looks really pretty in this one,” she says. “Maybe we could do that for the wedding.”

A hopeful smile twitches my lips. Maybe we can plan this thing without her reminding me how young I am and without any “Are you sure you aren’t pregnant?” speeches.

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