Page 29 of The Secrets We Keep

Man, I sound like a teenager. I’m dressed in a simple light pink t-shirt and a pair of jeans.

“You look good. Landon isn’t going to care about what you look like.” She tells me before turning the

music back up. She is listening to A Rocket To The Moon, Like We Used To. The music drifts on as I walk out. I feel the song though. I feel it in my bones. It makes me realize how much I miss Landon.

The park by the river is gorgeous. It’s known for its lush landscapes and scenery. I stare out at the lake, it almost gives me a sense of peace. It’s a feeling that’s short lived though as I spot Landon walking in my direction. He gives a wave and continues towards me. I smile. He looks good. His hair is styled just the way I like it and he’s wearing dark jeans with a plain black shirt, simple, yet so sexy. My thoughts become a jumbled mess while watching him walk closer and closer.

“Hey… There.” Landon says to me.

“Hi,” I reply back, not making eye contact. I feel uncomfortable.

Landon points to the bench and asks, “May I?”

“Of course, please.”

I scoot a bit to make sure he has room. This is awkward, so awkward.

“How have you been?” Landon asks. He’s starting easy. I can do easy.

“I’ve been better.” I admit.

“I guess I’m to blame for that.” He pulls my chin up so that I have no choice but to look him in his eyes. They are full of darkness and turmoil.

“Partially, Landon”.

There is nothing happy about our current situation, but seeing the look on Landon’s face is nearly breaking my heart.

“So tell me.” I don’t need to explain further. He knows what I’m wanting to know, what I need to know.

“Ya, Listen before I start, I need you to know that I had no intentions of ever hurting you.” Landon sucks in a breath, “I do web designs. That wasn’t a lie. I’m also a private investigator. I take on a handful of clients a year. It’s not something I voice.”

I arch my eyebrow while looking at him. I feel myself becoming slightly annoyed.

“I would have thought you would have told me about that part since we were, you know… serious.”

Why wouldn’t he share this with me? Especially if he was falling for me. I’m trying hard not to let my feelings boil over. I need to hear him out.

“Evie it wasn’t as simple as just sharing with you. Plus, you have your secrets. You wouldn’t let me in all the way and kept me at a distance. How could I possibly tell you about this when you wouldn’t give me all of you?”

I have no response. He’s right. I wouldn’t tear down all of my walls, I’m such a hypocrite. I look away from him and back to the lake.

“Look at me.” Landon demands.

I take a breath and exhale before finally looking back at him. Those emeralds stare back at me, begging for me to understand.

I smile a sad smile, “Continue, please.”

“I had a client reach out to me. The questionnaire she submitted intrigued me therefore I took on the case. Ms. Ross submitted photos. I didn’t realize it was you in those photos.”

I roll my eyes at that statement but keep listening.

“Anyway, I spent 2 months searching for an Eleanor Ross with brown, shoulder length hair and the perfect smile. Now looking back, I’ll admit something about her was familiar, I just assumed it was because of how beautiful she was, you know just another pretty face.” Landon chuckles.

I smile, but say nothing.

“This was the first case I struggled with. First one since I started investigations 3 years ago. It was as though Eleanor vanished into thin air without a trace. This case was really a challenge and it was frustrating. I had updated Sarah a few times with zero leads and no new information.”

Landon pauses, so I squeeze his hand to encourage him to continue.“And then what happened?” I ask, my voice just above a whisper. This is the part I’m dreading, but need to know.

---