Page 26 of Love is a Roller Coaster

My stomach drops, just like it did on Space Mountain yesterday. But this time, it’s not from the tracks of a roller coaster.

It’s love—that doesn’t belong to me.

chapter thirteen

BROOKE

Shocked.

Stunned.

Speechless.

I absolutely cannot believe that Landon is here. What in the world compelled him to fly all the way out here and try to “surprise” me when I caught him with his best man’s sister TWO WEEKS AGO?!

But I’m not good at angry reactions. Blame my mother for that one. I’ve been taught to keep my emotions in check, never overreact, never cause a scene. So I swallow down the burning rage and replace it with a blank expression.

I still haven’t responded to Landon’s claim that this surprise was “just what we needed.” Hah! As if he knows what I need.

“I’ve got all these bags,” he says, gesturing at his suitcase on the ground and the briefcase that’s still on the front desk. “Can I put these in the room?” His eyes twinkle with suggestion.

There is NO WAY I’m going to let him into my room. Those bags are staying here. “How about we go have somebreakfast first? I’m starving.” I blink innocently at him, fluttering my lashes in a way that always gets me what I want.

“I don’t mind keeping an eye on your bags here,” Tyler says from the desk.

Landon keeps his gaze on me, and I can tell that he’s trying to figure out how he can gain the upper hand in this situation. “How about we go up to the room and order room service?” He flashes his signature smile, the one that used to make me weak in the knees.

Not anymore.

I shrug. “They don’t have room service here.” A total lie, but I’ll risk being struck by lightning for the sake of not allowing Landon in my room. I make wide eyes at Tyler, likeplease go along with this.

Tyler looks confused at first. I’m not sure if he understands the game I’m playing here, the one Ihaveto play. There’s more at stake here than just sending away my ex-fiancé. There are family relationships and reputations all riding on this. I have to make him believe I want to spend time with him, so when I tell him that this was a huge mistake on his part, he doesn’t go home and badmouth me to everyone.

Because I have a feeling that half the reason he’s here…is my parents.

Landon looks over his shoulder at Tyler, who recovers from his confusion and nods in confirmation. “She’s right, no room service. Sorry about that. We’re working on increasing our staff.”

Landon huffs. “What a dump. Why did we choose this place for our honeymoon?” He shakes the frustrated expression off his face. “All right. We’ll leave my bags here and go get breakfast.”

“Great.” I beam at him. “Let’s go get some breakfast burritos next door. They’re delicious.” I loop my arm through his and lead him through the door, not sparing a glance atTyler in the chance that Landon catches the longing in my eyes.

We walk into the restaurant and order our burritos. I try to pay for mine, but Landon insists on paying for both. We sit at one of the tables outside overlooking the ocean while we wait for our orders.

I don’t want to start the conversation first. I want him to explain why he’s here.

After a few moments of awkward silence, he clears his throat. “You cut your hair.”

I nod. “It was time to shed the excess weight.” I give him a pointed look.

He doesn’t get it. “So, how has your week been so far?”

I smirk. “Great, actually.”

His eyes widen. He wasn’t expecting that. “Oh, really?”

I nod. “I’ve had a wonderful time. I spent the first few days relaxing by the pool, went on the art walk a couple nights ago, and then to Disneyland yesterday.”

He snorts. “Disneyland?”

---