Page 15 of Landon (In Safe Hands)
“They’reAnime.” I smile at the offense in his tone.
“Let’sget some lunch first. I’m starving.” He agrees, and we grab a burger and friesfrom the food court.
We’rein the middle of a conversation about what he’d do in a zombie apocalypse whena hesitant voice says, “Ethan?”
Atall red headed boy stands beside our table, a shy smile on his face. Ethanlooks up at him and smiles. “Hey, Colin.”
Theyjust stare at one another until I break the awkward silence. “I’m Zoe, Ethan’ssister. Join us if you want.” I gesture to the chair beside Ethan.
“Thanks,”Colin replies, taking a seat. It doesn’t take them long to fall into aconversation about some video game, and I can see the hesitation in Ethan’sexpression when I bus our trash and start back toward them. He likes this boyand doesn’t want to leave. It looks like the feeling is mutual.
Idig some money out of my pocket and hand it to Ethan. “Why don’t you give meyour school supply list and I’ll get them while you shop for clothes? We canmeet back up in a couple of hours.” Ethan smiles from ear to ear and hands mehis list before practically darting away with his friend. He’d hate me forthinking it, but it’s too damn adorable.
So,now I have two hours to kill in a place too expensive to shop in. I make sureEthan has new, name brand stuff because I know he gets enough shit in schoolwithout being the kid with discount clothes. There’s a thrift store across thestreet from the mall, so I decide to walk over and see what they have. You canfind some good stuff sometimes.
Iluck into a few pairs of jeans that look brand new. One pair fits perfectly andmakes my ass look great, if I do say so myself. They’ll work for my datetonight. He may as well know right away I’m not the dress and makeup type. Aclingy red top and a pair of red ballerina flats round out my new outfit. Istop in the beauty shop next door and emerge minus a couple of inches of hairwith a smile on my face. I didn’t intend on spending money on myself today, buttrimmed hair and thrift store clothing isn’t too much of a splurge.
It’sbeen almost two hours, so I head back to the mall and quickly gather the schoolsupplies from Ethan’s list. My arms are loaded down as I take a seat and textEthan.
-Youdone? I’m by the fountain.-
Heshows up carrying a few bags with Colin in tow. A sheepish smile sweeps acrosshis face. “Would you mind if I stay? The Deadpool movie is playing in a fewminutes. Colin can bring me home.”
Tryingto hide my grin, I look at Colin. “Do you have your driver’s license?”
“Yes,ma’am. Had it for almost a year,” Colin replies.
“Don’tyou need someone eighteen or older to get into that movie?”
“Er…yeah.That was going to be my next question,” Ethan admits.
Laughing,I shake my head. “Let’s get all this stuff to the car and I’ll get you in themovie.”
“Thankyou!” They beam at each other.
* * * *
Ihave plenty of time to launder my new clothes and grab a shower before my datewith Jason, the cute mechanic. After drying and straightening my hair, I pacethe house. It’s been a while since I went on a date, and I know nothing aboutthis guy. Dating is a bitch. You never know if you’re going to get the guywhose idea of romance is flowers and hand holding, or an instant dick pic toyour phone—usually a tiny one they’re way too proud of. That seems likesomething Landon would do. And why the hell am I thinking about him now? I needto get a grip.
Jasonpicks me up at exactly eight o’clock. He’s punctual. Always a good thing. Healso doesn’t seem bothered by the neighborhood I live in. Bright blue eyes meetmine as his lips turn up in a soft smile. “Zoe, you look beautiful,” he says,walking me to his car with his hand on the small of my back.
“Thankyou.”
“Doyou like Mexican food?”
“Ilove it.”
“Great,I know a little place that has the best chicken quesadillas.”
Weengage in small talk during the drive to the restaurant. Jason seems laid backand I find him easy to talk to. He opens the door for me, pulls out my chair,and picks up the check with no hesitation. We walk down the street to an icecream shop and indulge in root beer floats. When he pulls up at my apartment todrop me off, he again opens my car door and walks me to my door.
“Ihad a great time with you tonight,” he says, grinning at me.
“Sodid I.” I lay a hand on my belly. “The food was delicious. I’m stuffed as atick.”
Laughing,he catches my hand while we stand outside my door. “I’d love to take you outagain.”
“I’dlike that.”
