by Sarah Peis
I would have done it another ten times if it meant I could prolong saying goodbye. But instead I said, “Sounds good.”
We walked back to the truck, and he helped me inside. Not that I needed help, but I might have let him take some of my weight. And I might have leaned closer.
No regrets.
“I’m guessing Vegas isn’t your preferred destination?” he asked once we were in the car.
I grinned, then shrugged. “I thought it would be good for me to get out.”
“You trying to get away from something?”
“Sort of. My maimeó died a few weeks ago. It hit me harder than I was prepared for.” I put my seat belt on, surprised at my honesty. “She’d been sick for a while, but that doesn’t prepare you for the moment it actually happens. They told us she didn’t have much time left, but I always hoped they were wrong. She was such a strong woman.”
Usually I skirted around the issue. Not even Taylor knew how devastated I was by Maimeó passing away.
“I’m sorry. I know that’s the lamest thing I could say, but I wish it hadn’t happened to you. And that I’d been there for you. Is that weird to say since we just met?”
Tears sprang to my eyes. I brushed them away quickly with the back of my hand. “Not weird at all. And thank you. That’s one of the nicest things anyone has said to me.”
He reached out and took my hand. The contact settled me, and I didn’t feel so alone anymore.
I must be losing my mind to be feeling this way about someone I’ve only known a few hours.
“What’s the best thing you remember about her?” Landon asked.
Thinking about Maimeó made me smile. She had such a vibrant personality; it was impossible not to like her.
“She loved to garden and had a green thumb. There were flowers all over our backyard, not an inch untouched. Her favorite flowers were morning glories, and she used to make us drive to garden centers all over the state to get ones she didn’t have yet.”
He brushed his thumb over the back of my hand. “Did you live with her?”
“I did after my parents passed away.”
Another topic that was better left untouched. How did this night turn so dark so quickly?
“Kinsley,” he breathed, leaning closer.
I pulled my hand back, regretting the move immediately. “It happened a long time ago. Let’s talk about something else.”
He sat back in his seat, and a muscle in his jaw ticked. But he let it go, and his easygoing smile slipped back into place.
“We can’t end the night on such a heavy topic. We’re making one more stop tonight.”
He pulled onto the road and expertly maneuvered the truck through the busy Vegas traffic. The town was unlike anything I’d ever seen. I was used to big cities, but Las Vegas was Los Angeles on steroids. There was no place like it. The whole place was one big entertainment complex.
I could just walk along the Vegas Strip and not get bored all night. I was beginning to realize that even for someone who didn’t gamble, this town had something to offer.
I watched Landon drive into a parking lot in front of a motel and frowned. Where were we? He parked and shut off the motor.
“This is where I’m staying. Parking is usually a bitch in Vegas. We got lucky with the spot before. I thought we’d just walk to Fremont Street, which is where we’re going next. It’s only a few minutes from here.”
“Sounds good,” I said, getting out of the truck.
“I don’t want you to think I’m trying to trick you into coming back to my room again,” he called out, humor lacing his voice.
My cheeks heated in embarrassment, and I bit my lip. “Yeah, I’m really sorry about that. I know you’re not like that.”
“Hey, don’t worry about it,” he said, meeting me at my side of the truck. “You don’t know me. At least not yet.”
He led the way, and we walked the short distance to Fremont Street.
“This is amazing,” I said as soon as we made it. I had to shout to be heard over the music that was playing. There was a canopy set up on top, spanning the street. Lights were playing on it, the show taking my breath away.
There was so much to see that I didn’t know where to look first. At the guy dressed up as a giant baby? The zipline going over the top of everyone? The girls dancing on top of a bar? Landon, who was looking at me with a captivating smile?
“What do you want to do?” he asked, leaning close to be heard over the noise.
“I don’t know. Everything?”
“If you could do one thing here tonight, what would it be?”
“The zipline,” I answered without hesitation, because that was without a doubt the one thing I really wanted to do.
“Zipline it is.”
And just like that, he took my hand and guided us through the crowds to the giant slot machine that was the starting point of the zipline called SlotZilla.
We were lucky they still had tickets left since we didn’t book online. Something I always did. Until now. Because Landon was taking charge, and I let him.
“You’re on in an hour. Want to get a drink beforehand?” Landon said when he came back with my ticket.
“Sounds good.”
We went to a small bar not far from the zipline and squeezed ourselves in between a guy dressed as Marilyn Monroe and a cowboy. I wasn’t sure if he was an actual cowboy or just dressed as one.
We got our drinks and turned so we were facing each other. Our bodies were almost touching, and the feeling of being so close to Landon was intoxicating.
“What do you usually do when you’re in Vegas and don’t have to babysit anyone?” I asked, still having to shout since the inside of the bar wasn’t any quieter than outside.
Landon put a hand on my waist and leaned down.
“Well, you already know we’re here for work. We usually just take it easy the first night and then hit the casinos the other two nights. I’m the perfect tour guide if you want to know which casino will let you in drunk as a skunk. For other stuff, not so much,” he said, his mouth close to my ear.
“Well, you’ve done pretty great so far,” I said, meaning every word. I was having the best time.
“I’m glad you think so, but I totally winged it,” he responded with a deep chuckle.
We spent the next hour talking about everything and nothing. I learned that he lived in a small town in Colorado and loved it. He was a mechanic and he enjoyed his life, living it exactly the way he wanted.
The more we talked, the more I realized how different we were. I was as tightly strung as one could get. I had a plan for my life that I refused to deviate from, and I needed structure and rules in my life. He hated both. I also lived in California. Not exactly close to him.
But it didn’t seem to matter that we had such a different outlook on life. I had never connected with anyone like this. He was fun and so easy to talk to that I almost forgot we’d just met.
When we went back to SlotZilla and I got to soar over Fremont Street, I didn’t think my night could get any more perfect.
But it was getting late and Landon had to get up early tomorrow. Which was why our night ended shortly after.
“This isn’t goodbye. Because you already agreed to come to the car show tomorrow,” Landon said once we were back in the truck and he was driving me to my hotel.
“I did, didn’t I?”
“No backing out now. I want to see you again.”
I bit my lip, suddenly shy. “I’ll be there.”
He glanced at me briefly, a smile playing on his lips. “It’s a date. I’ll leave a pass for you at the entry. Just tell them your name when you get there.”
Once we made it back to the hotel, he got out and helped me down again.
When I was standing in front of him, his gaze slowly slid downward, stopping at the creamy expanse of my neck. I heard his quick intake of breath, and I didn’t dare move. My whole body seemed to be filled with wanting.
; He stepped back, looking dazed. “Okay, well, I guess this is goodbye for now?”
I tipped my head back, my mouth parting to respond. I didn’t get a sound out before his head descended and his lips collided with mine. His arms went around me and pulled me into his hard body.
I arched into him, pulling him closer. The kiss was urgent and exploratory. I couldn’t get enough, and it seemed neither could Landon.
A throat clearing brought us back to reality. A valet was standing behind Landon, his arms crossed, eyebrows raised.
Landon turned his head and said, “Sorry, I got carried away. But I had no hope in hell in the first place. I mean, just look at her.”
His eyes locked with mine when he said the last part, and my brain ceased all normal functioning at his words.
Is that what he thinks of me?
“Sleep tight,” he whispered into my hair and then let me go.
I was still standing in front of the hotel, watching the spot where his truck had been long after he was gone.
I’m in big trouble.
“Where the hell have you been?” Taylor greeted me when I walked back into the hotel room.
I was surprised they were back. I knew they’d planned on hitting a few clubs tonight, so I didn’t expect them to sleep in our room. “Hello to you too. And I’m not the one who pulled a disappearing act.”
Her mouth spread into a thin-lipped smile. “I told you we’d be right back. But when we came back to the hotel room, you were gone. I texted you, but you didn’t respond.”
I pulled my phone out and noticed I had a few missed text messages, two of them from Taylor.
“Well, we’re just about to go to this new club some guys told us about. You should come along,” Taylor said, her eyes narrowed as if she expected me to continue arguing with her.
I knew her well enough to read her expression. And she didn’t think she’d done anything wrong.
“That’s okay, I’m just going to bed. I’m tired.”
And I had plans for tomorrow. That included Landon. I didn’t want to be tired from a late night and miss even a second of the time we had left together.
“Why am I not surprised,” Kelly chimed in, not bothering to look at me. She was busy staring in the mirror and applying a bright red lipstick. It was bold, but also suited her. Something I grudgingly admitted.
I ignored her jab and unzipped my bag, getting a big T-shirt out. I wasn’t big on pajamas and since it was only the girls that would see me, I’d packed comfortable sleep wear.
“Fine, whatever. But don’t complain that we left you again,” Taylor said, and they thankfully left.
I changed and went into the bathroom, going through my nightly routine. I braided my hair, hoping I’d get one more day out of it before I had to wash it—something that took a while with the amount of hair I had. At least I was handy with a flat iron.
I crawled into bed and pulled the covers over my body. The girls had turned the A/C on high when they’d entered. I’d switched it to a more acceptable temperature, but I was still freezing.
Thoughts of Landon whirled through my head, putting a smile on my face. My last thought was of how soft his lips were before I fell into a deep sleep.
As predicted, Taylor and Kelly didn’t come back last night. I woke up early, feeling hopeful for the first time in a while. No invisible weight was pressing down on me, trying to keep me in bed. Instead, I couldn’t get ready fast enough.
I opted for a dark blue skirt and a white three-quarter-length fitted top. The A-line pleated midi-skirt hit me just below my knees, and the top looked almost painted on, the soft fabric melding to every dip of my body. I left my hair loose, happy it was still cascading down my back in soft waves.
I chose flats to go with my outfit since it sounded like today would be busy. I didn’t think there’d be many opportunities for me to sit down.
My bag was still on top of the table where I’d dropped it last night. I went in search of my phone and found it buried at the bottom. I had two messages. When I saw who the first one was from, I had to force myself to settle down or risk doing a very embarrassing happy dance. Landon had texted me just after four this morning.
Landon: Can’t wait to see you today.
I messaged back, a huge grin overtaking my face.
Me: Me too.
The second text was from my sister.
Brielle: Have you gotten drunk and embarrassed yourself yet?
Me: Of course not.
Brielle: Oh well, you still have one more night to make me proud.
I grabbed my bag and dropped the phone inside. I couldn’t wait to see Landon again.
The day promised to be another scorcher. It wasn’t even eight yet and the sun was already high in the sky, not a cloud in sight.
I got a taxi outside the hotel, not sure I would find my way to the convention center otherwise.
The driver dropped me outside, and I wondered if Vegas did anything that wasn’t supersized. It looked as imposing as most of the buildings I’d seen so far.
I made my way inside and looked for a ticket booth. After asking an attendant, he pointed me in the right direction, and my pass was waiting for me as promised.
The big hall was packed. There were people and cars everywhere, the noise of the crowd only interrupted by the hum of revving engines.
I had no idea where to look for Landon, and I was unprepared for how busy the car show was. I hoped he would hear his phone.
Me: I’m here.
He responded a few seconds after I sent the message.
Landon: Which entrance did you come in from? I’ll come and get you.
Me: Main entrance. I’m standing next to a red car.
Landon: On my way. Stay there.
Me: K.
I craned my neck to see over the crowd, but I wasn’t tall enough. Instead of putting my neck out, I hovered near the red car, pretending to know what I was looking at. The hood was open, and people were looking at the inside. I tried to see what was so special about it, but to me it looked like any old engine. Not that I’d seen many in my life, of course.
“You thinking of getting a Ferrari?” Landon’s voice sounded behind me.
I whirled around, and my whole face spread into a grin.
“Hey,” I said, my voice weirdly high.
“Hey there yourself,” he said and answered me with a warm smile that echoed in his voice. “We’re just around the corner, but I thought I better get you. It’s hard to find anything in this place if you haven’t been before.”
He took my hand, winking. “Don’t want to lose you.”
I blushed and basked in the happy feelings created by something as simple as holding his hand.
He was right when he said it was hard to get anywhere if you didn’t know the place. I was lost not long after we made our way through the crowds. And I was glad he was holding my hand with a firm grip; if I lost him, I was sure to never find my way out of this place.
We came to a stop next to a fancy-looking deep purple car, and I spotted two familiar faces.
“You made it,” Clay greeted me.
Mason was talking to someone but gave me a chin lift when he saw me.
“I did,” I said and followed Landon to a foldout chair. “Is it always this busy?”
“Except for the first few hours in the morning while we’re setting up, there’s always hordes of people up until the doors close. It’s one of the biggest car shows around,” Landon explained, then pointed to the chair. “Do you want to sit down?”
Clay coughed and covered his mouth with his hand. Landon narrowed his eyes at him. “Shut up.”
I looked between the two, not sure what I was missing. Landon caught my expression and grinned at me sheepishly, a hand going to his neck. “Ignore this idiot. He’s just jealous I didn’t get him a chair as well.”
“We never have chairs because there’s never any time to sit down. But this fool went out and bought one for you this morning,�
�� Clay said, dodging Landon when he tried to punch his arm.
“Shut up. Nothing wrong with that.”
“Another one bites the dust,” Clay sang. Before he had a chance to say anything else, he was mobbed by two girls. Not that he minded. One hung off each of his arms, both batting their eyes at him.
“Thanks for getting me a chair. But I swear I would have been happy to stand. I know you’re here to work, not make sure I’m comfortable,” I said.
Landon waved it away. “Ignore him. And I know how exhausting it can be to stand all day. Especially if you don’t have to.”
It didn’t take long for Landon to get mobbed by people interested in the cars. I wondered what was so special about them. They looked nice, but my knowledge about cars was limited. I could tell a manual from an automatic transmission and that was as far as my expertise went.
I eventually sat down, not because I was tired but because I quickly realized I was in the way. There were boxes stacked up next to the chair, and the top few were open. I spotted bottle openers, pamphlets, and key rings. Curious, I pulled out a pamphlet.
Landon was on the front cover with two other guys, standing next to a convertible like the one currently at the show. I guessed it to be the same car, but for all I knew it could have been a completely different one that just happened to be the same color.
The brochure was about the business Landon worked at: Drake’s Garage. They specialized in American muscle cars and European imports. I got bored after the first three lines when the brochure started talking in car speak.
“You doing okay?” Landon asked, kneeling next to my chair.
“Can I do anything to help? I feel kind of useless,” I asked.
The only time they took a short break in the last three hours was when I got them coffees.
“If you get bored, you can hand out brochures and whatever is in the other boxes,” Landon said.
I got up, eager to do something to make their day easier. I wanted to help if I could. And despite my limited knowledge of cars, I could certainly hand stuff to people.