Page 83 of Never the Bride
“Yeah, it was fun hanging out with you both.” I’m surprised I don’t have to manufacture the smile on my face. I reallydidhave fun with them, getting to know Landon too.
Why does that feel so hard to admit?
Landon opens the car door for Selena before walking around to his side. We both watch and wave as he drives away.
“See?” Hess nudges me with his elbow. “That wasn’t so bad.”
“What’s bad is that he opened a furniture account for her.”
Hess just laughs.
“I bet Landon has a gym membership too.”
“Orangetheory Fitness.” His laughter grows even louder. “Been a member for three years now.”
“This isn’t funny.” I playfully slap his arm, the action accidentally telling him,You’re annoying, but I like it.“And now, I’ve lost all credibility with my sister, so I can’t even warn her about the furniture account and the gym membership.”
“At least she’s not training for a marathon out of the blue.”
“That we know of.”
We get to the front porch, but before I walk inside, Hess grabs my arm, forcing me to turn around and face him. The feel of his fingers on my skin lights a fire over my body.
“In all seriousness, I’m sorry you’re worried about your sister.” This man has perfected the art of conveying genuineness with a single glance. “I know it doesn’t mean much, but Landon is a good guy. He won’t hurt her.”
“I wish I were as confident in their relationship as you are.”
His stare softens even more. I didn’t even know that was possible. “Why didn’t you tell me you needed the inheritance money to pay for your medical bills?”
“What difference would it have made?”
“I don’t know.” There’s a boyish quality to his shrug. “Maybe I would’ve married you for less money.”
“I don’t need anyone’s pity. I’ve managed to take care of myself, my mom, and my sister just fine.”
“Have you ever tried letting somebody take care of you for once?”
I learned pretty early on in my childhood not to expect that—part of growing up with a single mother who worked all the time or who was out looking for the next man to marry.
My chin lifts. “I wouldn’t like being taken care of by someone else. I value my independence too much.”
“Are you sure?” Hess casually leans his shoulder against the side of the door, thumbs hitching over his belt as he smiles back at me. He has no business being that sexy.
“You act like I don’t know myself.”
“I think you knowthisversion of yourself, the version you’ve had to be. But what if there was another way you could be happy?”
“You think I’ll be happier if I put on an apron and submit myself to a husband so that I can depend on him for everything I need?”
“That’s not at all what I’m saying.” He pushes his body off the wall and slowly moves toward me. My pulse races as he gets closer and closer until his face is inches from mine.
Words from earlier today dance across my mind.
I doubt there’d be a man in my shoes who wouldn’t want to kiss you.
I know I said in Abby’s office that I wouldn’t let Hess kiss me, but I was lying.
Lying through my teeth.
