Page 72 of Moth to a Flame

“Regan, you’re freaking me out.” The back door creaks, and before Landon can retreat into the night, Rosemary emerges out of the house. “Oh, hi, Landon. Didn’t hear you back there.”

“Hello, Rosemary.” He tucks me to his side, his warmth engulfing me. Helping me forget.

“Regan didn’t say you’d be visiting us. Which I’m super happy for, by the way. Drop in anytime.” She grins, and my face flushes, hot and embarrassed at being caught.

Better than wallowing in self-pity.

“I was in the neighborhood. Missed my girlfriend.” The way he says it with so much confidence melts my heart.

He said it. Actually said it. I wasn’t wrong to assume that we were together.

Again. Say it again.

I twist my head up to him at the same time Rosemary gasps.

He flicks his gaze to my sister before returning it to me. “Don’t act or look so surprised. We’re not married yet. Until then, you’re my girlfriend.”

A shriek comes from behind the door.

“Deidra!” Teresa whisper-shouts.

“They didn’t hear us, relax.”

“We did.” That’s Landon. I would’ve said something, except it’s kind of hard to breathe, let alone speak.

“Crap,” Deidra murmurs as the two of them filter out of the house.

“Hi, there. I’m Teresa.” She’s the first to break the silence, standing tall as she waves at us. “Nice to meet you, Regan’s boyfriend.”

“Landon.” I’m proud to say his name. I could repeat it for eternity.

“Deidra.” The blonde waves, catching my eye and giving me a thumbs up while Teresa introduces herself.

“Nice to meet you two.” He’s calm, a total contradiction to the man he was a minute ago. Puts my friends at ease. I thought my heart couldn’t melt anymore.

It does. There’s nothing left of it but a puddle.

Teresa’s smile widens. “Have you been formally introduced to my snakes?”

“I don’t think I have.” He squeezes me, kissing the top of my head. “It’s not Regan’s fault. I’ve missed her too much to let her talk.”

Deidra and Rosemary have escalated into hopping on their toes. Me…I’m not sure I’m breathing.

“This is Billy.” Teresa gestures to the farthest cage. The boa constrictor, as if hearing her, stirs and slithers on the grass. “This stud is Stu. Say hi, kids.”

Stu lifts his head, looks up at us, and settles back to his resting spot.

Landon’s quiet for a beat. Squints his dark eyes at me before his expression clears.

“Right. Horror book club. Of course you’d name them after the characters fromScream.” He grins at this wonderful madness that I call my world. “Did I miss out on all of theNecro and His Girldiscussion?”

Everyone, including me, stares at him in confusion. In wonder.

“I have some thoughts on the book.”

“You do?” My eyebrows shoot up so high, they’re going to fly out of my forehead. “You read it?”

“Yes.” He licks his top lip, and it’s sexy.

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