Page 12 of My Mountain Man Boss
The implications of what we just did run through my mind. How can I tell Izzie about this?
“But…”
He shakes his head. “I’m a patient man, Amy. I’ll wait until you know you belong to me.”
Do I belong to him? I think about my mom, unable to get out of bed for weeks after my dad left. Did she think she belonged to him once too? Just because we’ve shared something physical, it doesn’t change anything.
“I’m still not going to dinner with you.”
The words seem harsh, but Landon laughs. “You sort out what you need to, Amy. When you’re ready, I’ll be here for you.”
We walk the rest of the way back in silence. Landon holds my hand, and in the dark, out here in the woods, I wonder what it would be like to surrender my heart to him.
6
AMY
Iclose the bedroom door quietly and tiptoe back to the living room. “She’s asleep.”
A brightly colored stack of plastic rings topples over, and Hugo lets out a squeal of delight. His giggle is infectious, and I laugh along with him.
Chloe sits next to him on the floor while Izzie sets the plates at the dining table.
“Thanks for coming around. I don’t like leaving her on the dialysis days.”
“No problem,” says Izzie, taking the cling wrap off a bowl of chicken salad. “It’s more relaxed here than a cafe.”
The girls wanted to meet for lunch, and I suggested they come here so I could keep an eye on Mom. Izzie bought a salad and Chloe made cupcakes. All I’ve got is some baloney and bread. But the food isn’t the point. Seeing the girls is.
“Do you miss France?” I ask Chloe.
I’ve only met Chloe since I’ve been back. She spent time in France too, and it’s nice to talk to someone about the place.
“I barely think about it.” She bounces Hugo on her knee, and he giggles at her. “I’m happy here with David. I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else.”
She says it simply, and she and Izzie share a knowing look. Two married women who seem happy. I only hope it stays that way for them.
“Did you meet your husband in France?”
Chloe shakes her head, and her features soften. “No. I met him here.”
Izzie giggles, and they share a look.
“It was quite the scandal.” Izzie comes to join us on the floor. “Chloe hooked up with her best friend’s dad.”
The words send a shock to my stomach. I glance quickly at Izzie, but she’s looking at Hugo, offering him a rice cracker.
She doesn’t know.
“Oh,” I say trying to keep my voice even. “How did your friend take it?”
“Allie was furious.” A shadow passes across her face. “She’s slowly coming around to the idea. But we’re not close like we used to be.” She sighs. “Hopefully we will be again one day.”
I stand up from the floor and head to the kitchen, not wanting the girls to see the turmoil inside me.
After what happened last night, I can no longer deny the connection between me and Landon. But I don’t want to lose a friend because of a man.
I was all set to tell Izzie today, but now I can’t. She’s still happy and loved up from her honeymoon. I don’t want to ruin her good mood.
