Page 28 of Only When We Fall

“I even took Landon in the hope it would deter him.”

“And?”

I laugh, “And they became two hot-headed, macho men, who tried to outrun one another. I was kind of left in their dust.”

“Has he texted you since truth one?”

I nod, then proceed to read out the next text. She practically swoons before suggesting I demand a copy of his video for payback.

Next, I video call Mum. It takes a while for her to answer, but when she does, she looks dishevelled. “Were you sleeping?”I ask, frowning. It’s not like my mum to look anything but put together.

She runs a hand over her tousled hair and smiles awkwardly. “Sort of.”

I narrow my eyes, looking for signs before asking, “Are you alone?”

She almost chokes on her reply as she stands and leaves the room, closing the door behind her. “Are you okay?” she asks, ignoring my question.

“Mum,” I gasp. “Do you have a man there?”

“Emmie, I’m sure you haven’t called to discuss me.” She’s trying to sound stern but failing and when I begin to giggle, she does too, her cheeks flushing pink.

“I can catch up with you later,” I tell her.

“No, wait,” she says, right before I almost end the call. My finger hovers over the button. “Erm, Ava told me Kai’s in York,” she says, her expression now full of concern.

“Yeah, he is.”

She winces. “You’ve seen him?”

“Honestly, Mum, don’t worry. Kai Banks is in my past, and I will not let him ruin my future.”

She nods, forcing a smile. “That’s good, Em. Good for you.”

The flat is quiet, save for the faint hum of the TV, and the occasional clink of Landon rummaging in the kitchen. Zara and Noah went out earlier, but neither of us felt up to joining. Or at least,Ididn’t.

Landon claimed he was tired. But he’s been hovering ever since I said I wasn’t going out. Stretching, leaning against doorframes, tossing questions my way like, “Do you want to watch something?” or “Hungry?” He’s always been easy to talk to, but tonight there’s a quiet kind of expectancy in the air, as ifhe’s waiting for me to change my mind and ask him out on a date or something.

I glance up from the sofa as he walks in. “We could grab food?” he says, casual, like it’s no big deal. “Better than fighting over the last slice of that sad pizza in the freezer.”

“Takeaway?” I ask.

He shrugs, already pulling on a jacket. “We’ll see.”

Ten minutes later, we’re standing outside a little Italian place tucked off the main road with flickering fairy lights in the window. I pause, brows lifting. “This doesn’t exactly scream takeaway.”

Landon smiles, tight but hopeful. “Come on, it’s just food. I’m starving.” He opens the door before I can argue.

Inside, it’s worse. There are small tables dotted around and set for two. Candles flicker in the centre of each, it’s definitely the type of place people go for adate. My stomach flips, but I don’t want to make it a thing. He knows how I feel, we’ve set the boundaries already.

The waiter approaches with menus in hand. “Table for two?”

Landon answers before I can. “Yeah. We’ll eat in.” I glance at him, startled, but he just gives me that easy, unreadable grin of his. I don’t say anything. Ishould, but I don’t.

So, I sit in the chair the waiter pulls out for me, smiling awkwardly. And Landon slides in the seat opposite looking pleased with himself. It’s far too intimate for housemates but I get the impression he already knew this.

He starts chatting about how Zara made him listen to one of Noah’s terrible playlists, but I’m distracted. My hands are in my lap and all I can think about is the candles and how this must look to the other diners.

I glance up to reply and freeze.

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