Page 56 of Fear of Love
I found myself looking at Landon in a whole new light. I knew what it was like to take a chance on yourself and build something from the ground up.
“Well, you’ve done a good job. The kids really love it here.” He built something incredible, and it showed.
“Thanks.” His voice was a bit gruff at my compliment, like he wasn’t used to it.
As we settled back into comfortable silence, I caught myself looking at him now and then, realizing that with every little thing I learned, my feelings for him were quietly growing.
16
LYDIA
“Is everyone ready?” Josie asked, doing a quick glance around our group to make sure everyone was all set. “Please don’t get us kicked out.” She looked at the guys, specifically Trevor and Mateo.
“Scout’s honor.” Trevor put two fingers up to his forehead.
“You weren’t even a boy scout.” Bryton shoved him.
“I could have been,” Trevor shot back.
“Why are we here of all places?” Mateo asked, eyes glued to the front entrance of the Toronto Wildlife Zoo.
I ducked my head to hide my grin. Josie and I purposely got everyone together to come here knowing the story about Mateo pooping his pants. It was a little cruel, but we couldn’t help ourselves.
“We wanted to do something fun before your championship game and the guys’s playoff games,” Josie explained. That part was true. The next few weeks were set to be busy. Not to mention the wedding was quickly approaching. This would be our last chance as a group to do something for awhile.
“Yeah, but here?” Mateo’s face flushed.
“Come on, kid. Let’s go see the monkeys.” Trevor looped his arm around Mateo’s neck and dragged him forward.
“But I don’t want to,” Mateo all but whined as the two headed for the entrance.
“You know, this was a great idea, babe.” Wyatt shot Josie a mischievous grin, obviously thrilled at teasing Mateo.
“Of course it was.” Josie grabbed his hand and followed after the others.
“Want to elaborate why we really are here?” Tasha asked as the rest of us headed into the zoo. I glanced over my shoulder at Landon who was a step behind. The wink he gave me had my lips twitching.
Being around him all day was going to be interesting. We were both on the same page about our friends not knowing what was going on between us. It wasn’t the time or the place, especially when the feelings inside of me were growing by the day.
“Recently learned that Mateo pooped his pants during a class field trip here when he was fifteen.” Mateo was far enough ahead that I didn’t have to whisper. Tasha, Mila, Bryton, and Landon heard me.
“Oh god.” Tasha and Mila immediately started giggling.
“Now that is vital information,” Bryton said with a grin. “This is going to be fun.”
It took us a few minutes to get through the entrance, bracelets clipped to our wrists, maps in hand.
“Where to first?” Tasha asked, holding the map out in front of her. There were three paths in front of us that led to different parts of the zoo. Parents pushed kids around in strollers, voices loud with excitement.
“It’s only ten o’clock, so we have plenty of time to see everything,” Josie said.
“I want to see the monkeys first.” Trevor raised his hand. When no one made an argument, Trevor turned and pointed in a direction. “Onward, hoes.”
“Hoes?” Tasha raised an eyebrow at her boyfriend.
“That’s what they say in Shakespeare.” He shrugged.
“Like you read Shakespeare.” Wyatt scoffed.
