Page 50 of The Close-Up
Another too-smooth line. But honestly, I don’t even care. Landon isn’t someone I’d ever consider dating. His player vibe is off the charts with how he’s got a smooth answer and quip for almost everything.
But I’m not interested in dating. I’m interested in having a good time. And as long as I’m enjoying Landon’s company, I’m game for just about anything.
I take my time zipping up my gear bag before looking up at Landon. I make sure to give him pointed eye contact and a sly half-smile that says I can be coy too. “Dinner it is. Let’s go.”
Dinner with Landon wasn’t what I expected. At all.
I expected a quick meal in maybe nearby Chinatown or one of the food trucks dotting this neighborhood.
But Landon insisted on Wayfare Tavern just down the street from Le Méridien. The moment we walked into the upscale European-inspired bistro, I felt underdressed. I should have been wearing one of my cocktail dresses, not a casual button-up shirtdress and flats. But Landon didn’t blink an eye as he led me to our table with his hand on the small of my back. He was perfectly dressed in his charcoal gray suit since he’s a stockbroker who always has to look slick for work.
The moment we sat down, he set me at ease with his nonstop compliments about how nice I looked and questions about my work. And as we shared a burrata starter and fried chicken entrée, I felt myself start to ease up. This wasn’t a date, and I shouldn’t feel the need to impress. This was just dinner with a hot guy who I enjoy talking to.
And as we walk to a crowded English-style pub nearby, that’s the thought at the forefront of my mind.
No pressure. Just relax and enjoy.
It seems like every local got word of this new place because there’s zero seating available. But then I see a sign that points toward the back of the pub, claiming that there’s seating upstairs.
I tug on Landon’s jacket sleeve and point to the sign. “Try up there?”
We head in that direction at a slow pace due to the crowd. But then Landon takes my hand, steps ahead of me, and walks forward. People part around us, letting us through. We make it to a staircase and walk all the way to the top. It’s considerably less plush than the sitting area downstairs. All that’s available up here are simple wooden tables and chairs.
Landon stops to peer around the room. “Damn. All full.”
Out of the corner of my eye, I see Simon waving at us from a tiny corner table.
“Oh, hey!” I wave back then lead Landon by the hand over to him.
The closer we get, the more it looks like he’s frowning. His gaze drops to mine and Landon’s linked hands. Like a reflex, I let go. I’m not even sure why. I can hold hands with someone if I want to.
I push the thought away and instead flash a smile at Simon just as he stands to greet us. “I didn’t know you’d be here tonight,” I say.
“I was having drinks with a friend when he got a work call and had to take off.” He pivots his attention to Landon. “Good to see you, Landon.”
They exchange a brief and cordial handshake.
“You guys wanna join me?” Simon asks. “It really picked up in here the last fifteen minutes. I don’t know if they’ll have a free table anytime soon.”
Landon starts to hesitate, but I plop down across from Simon in the tiny corner table. “Sure.”
The bench I’m sitting on is clearly meant for one person, but seeing as there are zero free chairs nearby, I scoot over to make room for Landon. When I look over at Simon, he sports a tight expression on his face. A beat later it’s gone and he’s back to looking at ease again.
“Sorry. I just didn’t want to go searching for another bar,” I say to Landon. I wiggle an eyebrow at him. “I’m pretty thirsty.”
“Totally fine.” He stands up. “What would you like to drink?”
“Something hard. Surprise me.”
A cheeky smile dances across his lips. He dials it back to polite before addressing Simon. “You want another?”
“Nah, I’m good.”
Landon heads to the upstairs bar and I turn back to Simon. “Thanks for sharing your table with us.”
“Yeah, no problem. I thought you didn’t drink much.”
“I don’t, really. I just kind of felt like it tonight.”
