by Aven Ellis
“You can say those words over and over,” he whispers as he slides his hands up to my face. “Because I am yours.”
His lips meet mine as we kiss in the middle of a Chicago sidewalk, and I lose myself in his kiss, the taste of him, the leather and vanilla scent that I know by heart.
He’s mine, he’s really mine, I think, my heart dancing with joy.
And nothing will ever change that.
Chapter 25
TriviaPlayOrPass!
DesignerA, are you finished with this round or do you care to continue?
I check my appearance one more time before heading into a wine bar in Lincoln Park on Wednesday afternoon. My hair is in place—no Einstein hair today, thank you very much—and my platinum locks tumble down my shoulders in waves. My makeup is neutral and matte, and I have a nice daytime eye going with my Too Faced neutral colors.
I’ve upped my fashion game for lunch by putting on a crisp gray and white striped button down shirt, gray pencil skirt, and my L.K. Bennett floral pointy pumps, the surprise element of my outfit. Of course I’m wearing a silver and bar pendant necklace combo from my collection, as well as a silver daisy cocktail ring I made.
And the punctuation piece? My Aveda lip-gloss in cherry blossom. Normally I don’t wear red, but today I want to be full on, no-nonsense businesswoman confident for this meeting.
With Kayla Paine.
Okay. I know Kayla is flirty, and Landon is her friend, and I’m trying to give her the benefit of the doubt. But I do want her to see me right now as a professional designer when we talk about Pucks, Pinot, and Purses in this meeting. I’m coming into this meeting as a businesswoman, not Landon’s girlfriend, and I want to present that in every action I take today.
I open the door to my SUV and step outside, as I was lucky enough to find a parking spot just a few doors down from the bar where Kayla wanted to meet. Landon is taking his pregame nap, and I have enough time to meet with Kayla before heading back over to his place to work for a few hours. Then I’ll go to the arena with Aubrey like I always do before a game.
I pull open the door to the bar and step inside, my eyes taking a moment to adjust to the dark light that is such a contrast to the sunlight I was just in.
“Olivia, over here.”
I freeze. Nobody calls me Olivia. That’s not even my legal name.
I turn and see Kayla rise from the table she’s at. She’s wearing a black three-quarter-sleeved turtleneck, a black leather pencil skirt, and high-heeled leopard pumps in the ultimate city chic outfit. Her hair is pulled back into a sleek ponytail, and diamond solitaire earrings are her only accessory.
She assesses me as our eyes meet, her gaze narrowing, and in that moment I know. I know. My gut twists as I realize I had been right all along. The look of distaste that flickers across her beautiful face as soon as she sees me tells me I was right.
Kayla isn’t merely looking for comfort from Landon.
She’s after him.
And I’m in her way.
I head toward her, taking purposeful strides. I vow right here, right now, that I won’t let her get under my skin. I’m going to be professional. Thankful for the opportunity. Pleasant.
No matter what she says, I know what is in Landon’s heart.
And it’s not her.
I force a smile on my face as I approach the table. “Hello, Kayla, good to see you,” I lie.
As soon as I say her name, her expression shifts to one of complete happiness at the sight of me.
Which is about as real as Santa Claus.
“Olivia, the pleasure is all mine,” Kayla says, extending her hand.
I make myself shake it. “It’s Livy,” I correct.
Kayla sits down and studies me from across the table as I take my chair out.
“Oh, you prefer a nickname? That’s so cute,” she says.
Irritation surges through me. “It’s not a nickname. My given name is Livy,” I say, sinking down into my seat.
There’s a silence at the table.
“Oh. That’s . . . different. But that’s what Landy always says, you’re different,” Kayla says, tilting her head and furrowing her brow at me as if she’s studying a piece of art she can’t quite figure out the meaning of. “Interesting.”
I hold my tongue. Because right on the tip of it is FUCK OFF.
“Good afternoon,” the server says brightly. “I’m Joanne, I’ll be your server today. Do you need any help with wine suggestions?”
Nana would recommend I start the shots now to get through this, I think. Perhaps I should ask for a shot glass and a bottle of whiskey for a starter.
“Should we get a bottle?” Kayla asks me sweetly.
Hmmm. That could be handy in case I need to break it over her head later.
“Do you have green tea?” I ask, ignoring Kayla.
“Yes, we do,” Joanne says, smiling at me.
“I’d like a cup of green tea, please,” I say politely. “Thank you.”
“Very good,” she says, nodding. “And for you, ma’am?”
Kayla runs her exquisitely manicured index fingertip along the wine list and stops.
“I’ll take a glass of the Opus One cabernet,” Kayla says, handing the server her menu. Then she looks knowingly at me. “Landy loves that one.”
I draw a breath of air, anger surging through me as she tries to act like she knows my boyfriend better than I do.
My boyfriend.
Not hers.
And that’s what I need to remember. She can dig at me all she wants but at the end of the day, Kayla is going home to Mountain Man.
While I’m going home to Landon.
I decide to ignore that comment entirely and be the businesswoman I came here to be this afternoon.
“Kayla, I can’t thank you enough for getting me involved in Pucks, Pinot, and Purses,” I say warmly. Then I decide to take the weapon out of her hands before she launches it at me. “I know you did it for Landon, and I appreciate it sooooo much,” I coo. “Actually, we both do.”
Kayla’s eyes flicker.
Ha, ha, ha, she’s pissed I acknowledged her!
She’s about to speak when I beat her to it.
“And let’s get right down to it,” I say, reaching for my Longchamp tote that is draped over the back of my chair. “Tell me what I need to know about the event. I want my participation to be successful for both of us.”
I put a notebook on the table and fish out a pen. But as soon as I look up, I see Kayla is thrusting a sheaf of papers at me.
“Everything you need to know is in there,” Kayla says, her voice taking on a bit of an edge. “It’s not rocket science, Livy. And the event will be more than successful even if we don’t have your cute little jewelry pieces.”
I feel my hands begin to shake with anger. I immediately drop them into my lap so she can’t see she’s getting to me.
“Okay,” I say calmly, my voice betraying the anger I feel coming to a boil inside, “if you were simply going to hand me a bunch of papers about the event, we could have done this via email. Or you could have given them to me tonight at the game. So what is this really about, Kayla? Why am I here?”
A smile passes across her face. “You know what it’s about, don’t play sweet and coy. That might work on Landy, but it doesn’t on me.”
My heart begins hammering inside my chest. “Go ahead and spell it out for me. Apparently I’m not getting this.”
“Oh, Livy, Livy, Livy,” Kayla says, rolling her head around like she’s utterly bored and needs to stretch it. She stops dead center and stares me straight in the eyes. “Do you think you have what it takes to keep Landy Holder? I’m his friend, first and foremost, but this isn’t going to end well for you. I’
m concerned. For both of you.”
I’m about to lose it when I realize I can’t. She could very well use anything I say today against me, spinning it to make me look like the crazy, insecure girlfriend.
Just like Troy did, I think, panicking. Kayla could paint me out to be crazy and insecure, which is something Landon won’t tolerate.
I hesitate so I can organize my thoughts before speaking.
“I appreciate your concern for both of us,” I say evenly. “But I can assure you we’re very happy together.”
“One glass of cabernet,” Joanne says, returning to our table and placing the drink in front of Kayla, “and one green tea.”
“Thank you so much,” I say.
Kayla says nothing, as if a server doesn’t need to be thanked for doing his or her job.
As soon as Joanne leaves, Kayla resumes speaking.
“Yes, you’re both happy,” Kayla says, tracing her finger over the rim of her wineglass, “but the question is, for how long? Do you think Landy is going to be as interested in you once your little domestic life becomes routine? That Landy Holder, famous for chasing women all over Chicago, is ready to settle down forever at twenty-four?”
“You don’t know what Landon and I have,” I say, my voice firm. “And more to the point, our relationship is none of your business.”
“Oh, that’s where you’re wrong. On both counts,” Kayla argues, staring at me. “Landy and I talk all the time. He’s my best guy friend. I don’t want to see him get hurt. But the thing is, Livy, I don’t think he will. Landy will get bored. Do you honestly think he’s going to be happy after a month or two of just being with you? I don’t think so. This is nothing more than a phase for him. And you’re the one who is going to end up hurt. Men like Landy don’t change. They don’t.”
I’m shaking all over. I’m furious. Upset. At her for being a bitch. For having manipulated Landon into caring about her and thinking she needs support. I’m upset that Landon doesn’t get it.
And I’m mad at myself.
Because at this second, my past has roared right up and grabbed a hold of me, practically squeezing the air from my lungs as it takes over my heart. I flashback to how Troy was sweet and committed at the beginning, swearing I was the one who changed him. How he had fallen in love. And then it all came crashing down when he got bored and cheated on me.
No. No. No. I know what I have with Landon. I know I’m right to trust my heart.
“All right,” I say, picking up my notebook and my pen and dumping them back into my purse, “I’m finished with this round. With this game you are playing. I came here to talk about the fundraiser. If that’s not the topic, then I’ll see you later tonight at the game.”
I reach for my Coach wallet and quickly retrieve a five-dollar bill, dropping it on to the table.
“Oh, I’ve upset you,” Kayla says, making a pouty face at me. “I was only trying to help.”
“You did,” I say, standing up. “You have been tremendously helpful.”
“What?” Kayla asks, surprise in her voice.
“You make me believe in what I have with Landon,” I say, slinging my tote over my shoulder. “We might be young, but when you have what we have, it’s special. Rare. You don’t let it go. And we won’t.”
And then I turn on my heel and walk away, leaving Kayla behind.
“You need to tell Landon about this,” Aubrey says firmly. “Don’t keep this from him. Kayla way overstepped her bounds, and that’s the nicest thing I can say since I’m in the office. But I have a very hot sports opinion I’ll give to you on this when we’re alone later.”
I pace the elevator as I consider Aubrey’s words. I’m about to see Landon, and I’m not sure how to handle this.
“I can’t sound insecure,” I say anxiously. “Landon will think it’s about trusting him and that’s not it at all.”
“He needs to know what type of friend he really has,” Aubrey says, her voice full of disdain on the word ‘friend.’ “Landy will be livid Kayla’s talking to you like this.”
“I don’t know,” I say truthfully. “Landon is hell-bent on helping people like Kayla. But the difference is, she doesn’t need his advice. She’s manipulating Landon to try and get close to him. Ugh, my life sounds like a freaking new adult angst novel!”
“Well you’re going to rewrite this novel. And this time, the bad girl isn’t going to slip something into the hero’s drink where he loses his mind and sleeps with her and she ends up pregnant and then he marries her out of duty but longs for the love of his life instead.”
I can’t help it. Despite my anxiety, I burst out laughing.
“I love you, Aubrey,” I say as the elevator stops on Landon’s floor.
“Go expose that fraud to Landy,” Aubrey says. “And I’ll see you tonight.”
I end the call and the doors open. I head down the hallway, and I know Aubrey is right. I can’t keep this a secret. I want to have an honest relationship with Landon, and sometimes that means having a conversation that is going to be difficult. And this is what it means to be in an adult relationship.
Gah. Relationship adulting sucks.
I draw a breath of air and ring the doorbell. I’ll be calm about this. I’ll leave out my editorial of Kayla being a mean-spirited, evil, manipulating bitch who wants to sleep with him, and simply tell him that Kayla overstepped her bounds this afternoon and I stood up for myself as a result.
He can’t be mad at that.
Right?
“Coming, Babe,” I hear that sexy, downed-a- shot-of-bourbon voice call out to me.
I hear the lock turn and Landon opens the door. His hair is all messed up, and I know he must have just woken up from his nap. Landon has a Buffaloes T-shirt on, sweatpants, and his glasses. A huge smile lights up his face, and my heart melts at the sight of this Landon, the one nobody but me gets to see.
This is my Landon.
“Hey, Sunshine,” he says, winking at me.
“I’m glad I was the babe you assumed was at the door,” I tease.
“You’re the only babe who’s ever been at my door,” Landon says, sliding his hands around my back and drawing me into his chest. “Hello,” he says, then he brushes his lips against mine.
I kiss him back, savoring his sweet kiss. “Mmmm,” I say, breaking the kiss, “I like the way you say hello.”
“Me too,” Landon says, pulling me inside his place and shutting the door. “And I like this outfit on you,” he says, his blue eyes flickering over me. “Shows off your sexy legs.”
I blush as I put my tote down on the table in the foyer. “Thank you.”
“I think I should be thanking you for wearing this skirt,” Landon says sexily, moving behind me and sliding his hands over my hips as he draws me into his chest. “Very, very nice.”
I shiver from feeling his body melt against mine.
“Did you have a good nap?” I ask.
“GiGi and I passed out,” Landon murmurs, nuzzling my neck. “But I prefer napping with both my girls.”
His lips brush against my neck, and I close my eyes in response.
“Don’t you have a game to get ready for?” I ask.
“We could be fast.”
I laugh, and he does, too.
Landon turns me around and links his hands through mine. “Okay, fine, I’ll save you for later.”
“Promise?”
“You know it.”
I gaze up at him, wishing I didn’t feel this turmoil inside. I need to talk about this before he jumps in the shower.
“So tell me, how was your meeting with Kayla?” he asks, a smile lighting up his gorgeous face. “Everything good for the fundraiser?”
I pause as I see the look of hopefulness in his eyes. That
his girl and his good girl friend were bonding over glasses of wine this afternoon.
I need to be careful. Calm. Tread carefully.
“Trouble.”
I blink the song out of my head and decide to proceed slowly with this.
“I think I’ll be fine for the event,” I say truthfully. “I’m excited to show my pieces, and it’s for such a good cause.”
“Everyone will love your jewelry,” Landon says, squeezing my hands in his. “I’m so proud of you.”
I feel my cheeks grow warm in response to his belief in me.
“Thank you,” I say, squeezing his hands back.
“And how did it go with Kayla?” Landon asks. “Did you get to know her better? Did you have fun?”
Shit.
“Landon,” I say softly, “I know you guys go way back.”
“Yeah,” Landon says, nodding. “I met her before she met Ben. We’re old friends.”
My radar goes up. I had always assumed Landon met her because she was Ben’s girlfriend. But they have a history?
“Really? I didn’t know that,” I say. “How did you meet?”
“She was a Buffaloes ice girl,” Landon says, referring to the team of beautiful girls who skate around the rink and shovel off ice when needed. “We got to talking at some charity event. Kayla’s been a close friend ever since.”
I cringe. Damn it, this makes everything so much worse.
“Oh,” I say, trying to figure out how the hell I’m going to say what I have to say.
“Yeah, when she hit it off with Ben, she quit the ice girls,” Landon says. “You can’t date players when you are on the squad. You’ll find this funny,” he continues, “but in the beginning, before she got with Ben, Kayla asked me once if I’d ever seriously date a girl. I was like hell no, I’m going to be unattached for a long time. And look at me now. Now I’m with you.”