Page 78 of A Sweet Mess

“Last night. The glass bottle she gave me had a positive pregnancy test inside. She was trying to tell me, Aria. She was trying to tell me, but I wouldn’t listen.” He couldn’t hide his anguish from his friend.

“Oh, Landon.”

“What should I do? How can I begin to make it up to her?”

“Well, first thing first,” Aria said briskly, ready to take charge. “How do you feel about the pregnancy?”

“I’m so ridiculously happy,” Landon said, a goofy grin spreading across his face. “I feel ecstatic every time I think about the baby. Our child… I’m a fuckwad and don’t deserve her, but I need to bring my family home. I need it like my next breath. Nothing else matters.”

“It’s going to take some work, considering the mess you’ve made, but I guess I’ve an idea or two to contribute to the worthy cause.”

“Anything. I’ll do anything. I’ll go crazy if I don’t do something. Right now. I’ve been without her for over two months.” He hadn’t slept since he’d found the secret in the bottle, and hecouldn’t sleep until he had Aubrey back in his arms. “Is there any chance one of your ideas will bring her home today?”

“I have no plans to kidnap a pregnant woman, so no.” Aria’s voice softened as she continued. “Besides, you don’t even have a ‘home’ to bring her to. And you’re not ready, Landon.”

She was right, of course. He was a wreck. If Aubrey saw him like this, she’d run screaming in the opposite direction. Landon swiped his hand down his face. “I need a shower, some food, and a few hours of sleep.”

“Before you start pampering yourself, you need to slow down. This isn’t happening in a day.”

“No?” he asked helplessly.

“No, but you could get started today.” Aria paused as though waiting for him to say something. When he remained mute, she sighed. “What do you need to do before you could bring Aubrey home?”

“Find a house.” Landon blinked as his brain creaked and squeaked to turn the rusty cogs. “A place she would want to make our home.”

And he would find a location for his restaurant. Landon would not be a spectator in his life anymore. He would chase his dreams. All his dreams. For Aubrey. With Aubrey, he could do anything.

23

Landon tossed a white envelope on Craig’s desk and settled into a guest chair, legs stretched and ankles crossed.

“Since when do you write on paper?” his editor said, gingerly picking up the envelope between his thumb and index finger. “If this is a resignation letter, I’m not going to bother opening it. It’s going straight to the shredder.”

“How did you know?” The hair on his arms swept upright at his friend’s apparent clairvoyance. Landon didn’t want to abandon Craig orCal Coast,but he couldn’t travel around the world to write reviews when he would soon have a kitchen to run.

“Know what?” Craig asked, pulling out his letter and snapping it open. It only had three sentences. “What the fuck, Kim? Is this a resignation letter?”

“Yes, but since you’ve already opened and read it, there’s no need for the shredder.” Landon laughed with nerves and relief. He’d pissed his friend off, but he’d taken a major step toward his dream.

“Why the hell are you pulling this shit on me?”

“Sometimes, Craig, it’s not all about you.” He smirked atthe irate editor but continued solemnly, “This isn’t about me leavingCal Coast.It’s about me opening my own restaurant. It’s about me being a chef and not a critic. It’s about me living my life again.”

“It’s about damn time. I am so proud and happy for you.” Craig was on his feet and beside Landon in a flash, clapping his shoulder. “But goddamn it, I wish it didn’t mean losing you here.”

“You know I can’t do both.”

“Of course I know. But how am I going to find someone to fill your freakishly big shoes?”

“How about Gary?”

“Fuck you, Kim.”

“Thanks.” Landon rubbed the back of his neck as some of his amusement died down. “Before I go, I have a favor to ask.”

“Let me hear it. I’ll do everything in my power to make it happen.”

“I want you to print my farewell article. In this month’s issue.”

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