Page 43 of The Close-Up
“I just mean that you make it sound like their relationship is perfect when it’s probably not. I’m sure they’ve gone through struggles just like any other couple.”
I shrug. “Maybe. Probably.”
“Do you think that factors into your relationship ban at all? Like, is there a part of you that thinks if a relationship can’t be perfect, then it’s not worth pursuing at all?”
I stand there and process his words for a few seconds, suddenly feeling exposed in a way I never have before.
“That got a bit heavy,” I joke, but Simon doesn’t laugh. Instead he looks at me expectantly. “Okay yeah, you’re probably right.”
“You shouldn’t give up on relationships just because they’re not perfect like your parents’ marriage,” he says gently.
“I’m fine navigating my dating and relationship life in the way that I currently am. Thanks for the assessment, though.”
I flinch at how my words come off sharper than I intended. Out of the corner of my eye, I notice Simon still looking at me.
I head to the kitchen for a glass of water, willing the slight tension in the air between us to dissipate. A second later, there’s a knock at his door.
“What’s this guy’s name again?” I ask, glad that we can focus on the session instead of talking more about my personal life.
“Landon. He’s been to a couple of all-day seminars,” Simon says. “Do you mind grabbing the door?” He runs to the bathroom.
When I open it, I immediately bite my lip.
Oh my.
If I had walked past Landon on the street, I’d do a double take. He could be a stand-in for Tom Hiddleston.
I step aside so he can come in. When I close the door behind him, he turns to me, his hand outstretched, ready for me to shake. “You must be Naomi from Dash.”
“That’s me,” I say, shaking his hand. “It’s great to meet you in person, Landon.”
There’s the slightest wag of his eyebrow. “Likewise.”
I take an extra second to peruse his tall, lean physique in that impeccably cut dark blue suit as he walks to the chair. And then I quietly tell myself off. This guy is here to improve whatever relationship he’s in. I absolutely should not be checking him out.
As Landon settles in the chair, Simon comes out of the restroom. They exchange pleasantries, then dive in.
“How are things with Alana?” Simon asks.
Landon hunches over, his eyes falling to the floor. “We broke up, unfortunately.”
“Sorry to hear that.”
“It’s all right. It’s my fault, really.”
“Tell me what happened.”
Landon sighs, his chest heaving with the single labored breath he takes. “She wanted to move in together. I wasn’t ready. And she wasn’t willing to wait until I was.”
He runs a hand through his thick mass of blond hair. “It was probably for the best. If I didn’t feel ready to commit, we certainly shouldn’t have moved in together. But...”
Sympathy flashes through Simon’s eyes. “It’s all right. Take your time.”
“I just wish I knew why it was so hard for me. She was right for me in so many ways. We had the same interests, our values and beliefs were in line. I just... I couldn’t take the plunge.”
“Why do you think that is?”
“I don’t know.”
