Page 28 of Bourbon & Bonfires

Me: Hey, sorry I missed you before. Work is CRAZY! Tell Uncle T to hush. But not until you tell him I want 4 street tacos.

Mason: Got it. See you at home.

Me: Love you, kid.

Mason: Love U 2

The little shit. He knows I hate text shorthand. He’s being a little snarky but in a teasing way, which means it’s a good day. Thank goodness. I should text Landon now and cancel dinner. It’s been weighing on me all day and I need to just do it. Ah, speak of the devil.

Landon: Don’t freak out, I got your number from Mason for emergencies.

Landon: Oh, it’s Landon.

Me: I know. I got YOUR number from Mason for the same reason.

Landon: I just wanted to tell you to dress casually but warm for Friday. I’ll pick you up at six.

Me: About that.

Landon: Nope. You are not backing out on me. It’s dinner Addison. Don’t make it more than it has to be.

Ass, he has me there. I am making it more than it is. He said dinner. He never said more. I’m the one having runaway thoughts. I’m the one with fantasies of him kissing me and running his hands up my body. Damn, it’s hot in here. I see one final text from Landon.

Landon: And, yes I told both your son and your brother we’re going to dinner. AS FRIENDS. Everyone needs friends Addison.

Me: Stop being logical. Fine but I’m paying for my dinner.

Landon: I’ll pretend I didn’t just see that. See you Friday. Taylor said he’s picking up Mason the rest of the week.

I don’t respond but instead toss my phone on the table and lean my head back staring at the ceiling. Dinner. Friends. No big deal. I’m a grown ass woman; I can be friends with a hot guy. Maybe if I tell myself enough over the next few days, I’ll believe it.

I hear voices down the hall and quickly rush from the break room to help finish with the patient. As I approach Dr. Burning and the patient, I see her smiling and I’m drawn to her eyes. Her green eyes. Montgomery. Ah hell, it can’t be.

“Well, there you are. I was just telling Doc how you declined my dinner offer for this weekend.”

“Uh, yes I did. I try to spend weekends with my son.” Not a complete lie.

“Son? Oh, that’s wonderful, how old is he?”

“Fourteen. His name is Mason.”

“Bring Mason with you. The more the merrier.”

“Mrs. Montgomery, you wouldn’t happen to have a son named Landon, would you?”

“Do you know my Landon?” Mrs. Montgomery’s eyes glisten with happiness at just the mention of Landon. I know that look; it’s a mother’s look.

“I do. My son actually works with him. He’s his assistant or apprentice; I forget what they’re calling it.”

“Oh, that’s fabulous,” she shrills before pulling me into another hug, and when I look to Dr. Burning for help he’s laughing and waving us off. “You must come to dinner now. You know,” she whispers, “my Landon is single.” Her eyebrows waggle and my eyes go wide while Dr. Burning chokes. He’s really no help.

Instead of responding to that comment, I simply say, “Thank you again for the invitation, maybe another time. Dr. Burning, do we need to reschedule Mrs. Montgomery?”

“Nope, she’s good to go. And, I think it’s time for us to go. It’s getting a little late. Willa, we’ll see you at church on Sunday, okay?”

Mrs. Montgomery takes the hint and says her goodbye as she pulls me in for another hug, but as she pulls away, she pauses and places her hands on my cheeks. I look at eyes similar to Landon’s as she smiles and says nothing. She simply pats my cheek and turns to walk out the door. That was weird.

“You better watch out for that one,” Dr. Burning warns. I turn to him. “I’ve seen that look before and it means only one thing—you’re on her radar for Landon.”

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