Page 118 of Fear of Love
“I know you can, but this is my wedding gift to you guys.” Landon shifted on his feet as he geared up to say something else. “I’ve watched you grow from a kid to a man who’s done amazing things with his life. Who will continue on doing amazing things. I’m proud of you.”
Landon’s never been the overly sentimental type, yet here was, saying one of the most heartfelt things to his brother. A brother he practically raised while still just a kid himself. For Wyatt and Mateo, Landon was the father figure they never got to have.
“And I’m proud of you for finding the person you want to spend forever with, so take it and have a good honeymoon.”
My throat closed up as Wyatt stepped toward his older brother, wrapping his arms around him in a hug. Josie watched them, silently crying as she held the envelope in her hands.
Landon can be grumpy and prickly, but there was no doubt in anyone’s mind that he didn’t love his brothers. His actions showed how much he cared.
The pair pulled apart a second later, both clearing their throats as if they didn’t just get emotional.
“Thank you.” Wyatt’s voice was raspy with emotion. Landon just clapped him on the shoulder in return.
“Aw, family bonding! Bring it in, bros!” Mateo stepped forward, extending his arms out to bring both his brothers into a hug. He only made it a foot in front of Landon before Landon put his hand on Mateo’s forehead, stopping him from coming any closer.
“Not happening.” The grumpy look was back on his face, making me grin. There wasmygrumpy man.
“Come on." Mateo tried to step closer, but Landon just pushed him back. “I want a bro hug.”
“Get married and you’ll get one.” I knew what was coming the second the words left Landon’s mouth.
“Tasha—” Mateo started.
Trevor cut in before he could even finish. “No.”
“Mila—” Mateo tried again.
“No chance,” Bryton intercepted.
Mateo turned to me. “Lyd?—”
“Finish that sentence and you’ll feel my foot up your ass,” Landon said with a glare.
“You guys are rude. I’m going to find mom and tell her.”
“Yeah, you go do that.” Landon shooed him away with a wave. With a huff, Mateo walked off, no doubt going to find Evelyn. All the guys watched him go, shaking their heads.
“Enough serious talk. It's time to party!” Tasha announced with a grin, her wine glass in the air.
Grabbing Josie’s hand, Tasha tugged her toward the dance floor. Wyatt tucked Landon’s gift in his tux pocket before slowly following after his wife, watching the two with a smile. When Landon and I were the last ones left, I turned to the side and held out my uninjured hand.
“Care to dance with me?” I never got the chance to dance at my wedding, or any event like this before, and I wanted my first time to be with the man I loved.
For a second, I thought Landon would say that he didn’t dance, but he slid his hand in mine. “I’d love to.”
I felt like a schoolgirl all over again, giddy as we headed for the dance floor. It made me feel like I was going to prom with my date, about to have the best night of my life.
As we stepped onto the dance floor, Landon lifted my arms and lopped them around his neck, his hands settling on my lower back. The song playing wasn’t exactly a slow one, but neither of us seemed to mind.
We swayed together, side to side, lost in our own little world while the crowd moved around us. I caught a glimpse of Trevor spinning Tasha, her head thrown back in laughter. Nearby,Bryton and Mila mirrored each other’s ridiculous moves, grinning like they didn’t have a care in the world.
To our other side, Wyatt and Josie were wrapped up in each other. Wyatt leaned in, whispering something low that made Josie’s smile stretch even wider. The two of them looked so lost in each other.
I truly had Josie to thank for everything. If she hadn’t gotten stuck in that elevator and met Wyatt, I never would have met Mila, who’s become one of my best friends, or Trevor, Bryton, Evelyn, and Mateo. But most importantly, I wouldn’t have met Landon.
We might have gotten off to a rocky start, but deep down, I always sensed he was going to mean more to me eventually. It was wild to think it took all that to bring us here.
“What are you thinking about so hard?” Landon asked, bending his head closer to mine.
