Page 82 of Stay With Me
“Hey, Mal.” He nods at her, then turns toward the woman he’s been avoiding. “Um…Ellie?”
With a huff, she turns and meets his eyes. “What, Landen?”
The snappiness in her voice has me flinching for him. It’s not only if her looks could kill, it’s her tone, too.
“Would you wanna dance? Um, with me. On the dance floor. Together.”
Magnolia palms her forehead as Landen struggles to piece together a full sentence. I resist laughing at his expense, but goddamn, am I gonna give him shit for this when he’s sober.
“Awww…” Mallory and Serena coo in unison.
Landen gives her a lopsided grin.
“Sorry, I broke my toe and can’t put pressure on it.”
This time I don’t conceal the chuckle that bubbles out of me because she just gave him the same excuse Magnolia gave Harrison.
Landen’s jaw tenses at her words, presumably aware she’s full of shit.
“Didn’t look broken to me when you were dancin’ earlier to ‘Lover’?” Landen calls her out and Magnolia’s eyes are locked on them as if a telenovela is unfolding right in front of us.
“That’s because it just happened. Someone stepped on my foot when I was dancing, and I was just about to get some ice before it swelled up.”
Landen slowly nods, his lips in a flat line and fingers gripping the chair in front of him as if he’s about to snap it in half. “I’ll get some for you then.”
But Ellie doesn’t take the bait. She crosses her arms over her chest and deadpans, “No, it’s okay.”
“Why not? I’d hate for it to fall off and your barrel racing career tanks because you’re down to nine toes.”
“Fine,” she grits between her teeth.
“Be right back.” Landen flashes her a cheeky grin that has Ellie rolling her eyes.
We watch as Landen walks toward the bar.
“Can’t say he’s a quitter.” I laugh.
Magnolia shakes her head in disbelief. “She’s gonna give him a run for his money.”
“And I can’t wait to see him get knocked to his knees.”
She playfully smacks my chest. “Be nice. At least he’s puttin’ in the effort.”
I know that’s a jab at me for waiting so long, but I can’t even be mad to tease her back when I finally have her now.
“So after tomorrow, when can we see each other again?” I ask while we wait for Landen to return.
“I’ll be at the retreat Tuesday and free once I close up at three.”
“Good. What about Wednesday?” I ask.
“Same, except for working downtown.”
“And Thursday?”
“Same thing.”
“Friday?”
