Page 95 of Hot Cops

“You’re missing the point. The reason she goes for that type is because there’s no danger of feeling anything for them. She’s my sister, and I know for a fact she’s never fallen in love. Not once.”

Landon thought back and realized Finn was right. He hadn’t considered that obstacle. Until recently, Sunnie’s love life had been a source of entertainment more than something he’d seriously thought about. “That doesn’t mean she won’t fall in love…someday.”

Finn took a swig of beer, and Landon got the sense he was using the drink as a way of stalling until he could figure out how to say what he was thinking. “I really want her to find the perfect guy to fall in love and settle down with.”

Landon looked away, his feelings hurt that Finn didn’t consider him fit for that role.

Until Finn continued, “And I want the same thing for you. I thought Audrey was perfect for you, and I’m sorry she chose her career over you, sorry that things between the two of you didn’t work out.”

Landon nodded. “She wanted to be in New York and I wanted to be here.” It was strange to realize it had only taken that one thing to drive them apart. They’d been compatible right down the line, and Landon had spent the three years they’d dated certain that she was the woman he was going to marry, to have babies with. She’d been his first true love, and his first serious heartbreak.

“You haven’t dated anyone since her.”

“What are you getting at, Finn?”

“Honest to God, Landon, if I thought it would work, there’s no one on earth I’d want to date my sister more thanyou. You’re honest, faithful, a good guy. But you’re looking for…”

“Forever,” Landon finished.

“And Sunnie’s just looking for a good time,” Finn added. “At least for now. I’m not sure Sunnie would respond well to your all-in approach to relationships. The second a romance turns too serious, she finds a million reasons to run.”

“I’m aware of that.” He’d had a ringside seat to every single one of Sunnie’s relationships. He’d heard her opinions on dating, love and sex countless times. She was a free spirit, devoted to her career, and she was showing no signs of being ready to settle down.

And even if she did, it would probably be with someone more like her, someone who loved to go dancing and party until dawn. While Landon didn’t mind that on occasion, his favorite nights were the ones he spent at home on his couch, beer in hand, football game on the television. Sunnie would spontaneously combust in that lifestyle. None of that knowledge was helping him.

“I love my sister, Landon. I’m crazy about the insane girl, but that doesn’t mean I’m blind to…” He sighed. “I’m not sure what to call them. They aren’t faults, they’re just who she is.”

“I’m crazy about her too,” Landon admitted. “And I get where you’re coming from.” Landon hated everything about this conversation. Finn was speaking logically, offering very valid points.

Unfortunately, none of it was sinking in.

When Finn kept looking at him with worried eyes, Landon gave his best friend what he needed. Reassurance. “I’m not going to throw away a lifetime friendship, Finn. I swear.”

Landon understood there was too much to lose if things went south. It wouldn’t just mess things up between him and Sunnie; it would be a strain on his friendship with Finn. And God, he didn’t want to think about how Aaron’s feelings might change toward him.

Finn nodded, clearly not reassured. “You’re still going forward with this silly plan, aren’t you?”

Landon nodded. He could make a long list of why it was smarter to step away. He could pit the countless items on that list against the one reason he had for moving forward. And the latter would wipe away all the rest.

He wouldn’t stay away from Sunnie because he couldn’t.

He was in love with her.

CHAPTERNINE

Sunnie heldLandon’s hand all the way to the restaurant, and even smiled at him fondly as he wrapped his arm around her waist when they crossed a street. They’d been followed by a handful of tabloid photographers.

She suspected most people suddenly cast into the limelight from viral videos weren’t placed under this kind of scrutiny, but once it came out that she was Sky Mitchell and Teagan Collins’s niece, it elevated her to some sort of reality TV status. Countless times in the past week, she’d been stopped by people wanting to know everything from what Sky and Teagan thought of her secret romance, to if she’d manufactured the video in some crazy attempt to become as famous as her relatives.

People were insane. And they fixated on weird-ass shit.

So between her famous aunt and uncle and the fact Hot Cop worked for her dad, they’d inadvertently found too many ways to keep the tabloids interested. She also figured it would only take one uncovered affair or spectacular divorce in Hollywood to move the spotlight away from them.

They stepped into Charleston, a very posh upscale restaurant in Baltimore, and she blew out a soft whistle. “Very elegant,” she whispered. “And expensive. Are you sure you wouldn’t rather hit The Cheesecake Factory?”

He rolled his eyes, and then turned to ask the host for a table. The host clearly recognized them and decided to buy some free publicity for the restaurant by placing them at a cozy little table near the front, right next to the windows. It gave them a great view of the waterfront—and everyone outside a perfect way to watch Sunnie and Landon.

Landon actually seemed pleased with the placement, which made sense, given his desire to speed along the news they were dating. She spotted dark circles under his eyes and realized this had probably been harder on him than he was letting on.

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