Page 37 of Snap Shot

That sanctimonious grin of his returns. Landon toys with his lip as his eyes sweep down and back up, dark, pretty lashes—totally unfair—outlining those striking blue eyes. “You mean my best. Ialwaysdo my best.”

I roll my eyes and push past him. “You'resoannoying.”

“Hey now, that's no way to talk to a client.” The door closes behind him with a clack.

“Too bad. You're the one who wants to get all chummy.” Briefcase and heels discarded on the living room rug; I drop my ass to one corner of the sectional. “But we're gonna do this on my terms.”

“Lay it on me.”

“First, I'm gonna need some wine.”

There's no way I can discuss this without liquid courage. Any other topic, I'd be confident. Wanna talk about legal precedence and procedures, chocolate molds, old Bollywood classics, how liquid eyeliner is superior to a pencil, or extemporaneously debate foreign policy? I'm your gal. Dating, relationships, and sex? Unless you're referencing fossils, friendships, and how sex is biological and gender is a social construct, not so much.

I draw another boundary. “Second, I'll share however much I want, then you have to answer my questions.”

“Done.” Landon scoffs out a single chuckle, rubbing his jaw. He tilts his head for a moment before jogging backward into the kitchen. Clanging bottles and clinking glasses echo off the high ceilings as I fold my legs underneath me, side-saddling against the couch cushion. Anxiety builds.

“Any preference?” he calls from around the corner, out of view.

I fidget, picking at some stray white lint on my black skirt.

“Do you have white? I can't,uh, stomach red. It makes me feel” —horny— “uneasy.”

More clashing glass peals out before the faucet runs. For being Mr. Impatient, he's certainly taking his time. He emerges, dark green bottle in the crook of his arm and a wine glass in each hand, both filled halfway with a red liquid.

“Sorry.” Landon shoots me an innocent shrug. “I ran out of white.”

Oh, God. Breathe, Indi. Get the truth out of him and leave. I mean to sip at it but end up finishing the drink in a single go. Whoops. The dry, rich Cabernet coats the line from my tongue down to my stomach.

Landon smiles through his relaxed pull of wine.

I place the glass onto the coffee table and rest my palms on my knees, giving them a rhythmic drum. “Okay. Where to start, where to start?”

He refills the empty glass. “Do you have a boyfriend?”

“Not at the moment.” I grab my glass again. Another gulp slides down my throat. “Never had one.”

“Never? I don't believe you.”

I twirl the glass in hand, watching the wine whirlpool. “Fine. I've had a few boyfriends.”

Landon smacks his lips, roguish smile in full effect. “Were they battery-operated?”

I give him my best side-eye. “Suddenly you're a comedian.”

“And you're a terrible liar, Indi.” He sets his finished glass down and leans forward, steepling his fingers. “I can't trust you if you lie. You seriously never dated anyone?”

“I've dated occasionally.” That's lawyer speak for rarely.

Landon shakes his head.

Wine sloshes in my belly with the next swallow. “What can I say? I'm a late bloomer.”

A furrowed brow and wrinkled frown await me when I peek up from the wine glass and catch his gaze.

“If you haven't noticed, I've been busy being a young and successful lawyer.”

He hums, pouring himself another. “It doesn't bode well for relationships.”

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