him at the moment trying to play the
all-knowing friend. He’d had enough of his over-protective
brother act. He could take care of himself. “Look, I’m
fine. I’m just taking a few days. Now get out of my face.”
“Whatever,
man. Don’t come crying to me when she’s got your balls in
a vice grip and you’re dying to get out.”
Landon
knew he wouldn’t win. His only resolution was to walk away,
hide in the solace of his bedroom a few more hours until he could see
Talia again. Damn
it. He was
screwed.
The
day had been monotonous. Talia went along on several different
deliveries just to try and keep the evening ahead off of her mind.
She’d been so stupid to suggest they meet at Sergio’s.
Wasn’t it bad enough that she had so many memories of dates
with Mason there? Now she was adding more misery by agreeing to this
farce of a date with Landon. The girls had apathetically asked Talia
to join them for dinner after their deliveries, and, although she was
tempted, she sensed their lack of sincerity and was glad she already
had plans. She just refused to tell the girls anything about them.
When the shop was closed, the girls didn’t waste a second
getting everything put up and ready for their Monday morning tasks so
they could get away from her company. Talia was well aware of the
distance she’d forced between herself and her friends.
Shutting
off the lights in the shop, she headed upstairs to prepare for her date .
She was using the term loosely since she still wasn’t
completely on board. Thoughts of backing out crept in her mind dozens
of times, but as determined as he’d been, she was certain
Landon wouldn’t give up easily. She knew he would continue to
show up at Satin until he got what he wanted and Talia couldn’t stomach
the thought. Beyond frustrated, she decided to begin her search of
the ideal outfit to make her statement. She may have begrudgingly
agreed to the date, but only because she wanted him out of her life
and off her mind. She didn’t need the distraction that he
created in her day-to-day.
She
retreated to the front of her closet, but nothing in her standard
attire was appealing. It was at the back that she found what might
qualify as acceptable for this dinner with Landon. She pulled out an
old and flouncy chocolate-brown camisole with lace trim for a
feminine affect, but layered it with a turquoise waterfall blazer
that said strictly
platonic. She
found a stiff pair of dark denim skinny jeans that she rarely wore,
because they did nothing to flatter her body, and added a pair of
short brown slouch boots and a brown fedora with a cheetah sash. Her
hair was down and looked a little windblown, but it suited her
opinion of this date. Her
ensemble looked more business than casual and Talia instantly felt it
was satisfactory for this evening. She had no intention of trying to
make this enjoyable for either of them.
Checking
the clock, she realized if she left soon she would arrive on time.
She didn’t intend to seem eager by arriving early, but she
didn’t want to be downright rude and show up late, so she set
out for her car parked at the bottom of the stairs outside. She could
already envision it, her royal-blue diesel Jetta wagon sitting in a
halogen halo, mocking her as it waited to carry her away. Heading out
the door, Talia snatched her winter coat from its peg and threw it
on, trying to keep the chill out and heat in. Once in the car, she
cranked up the heater and headed to the swanky diner she agreed to
meet Landon at. If nothing more, Talia would at least try to make
this evening memorable.
The
streetlights were glowing against the window, creating a romantic
feel to the restaurant that was deepened by the burgundy booths
draped with jade tablecloths. Landon looked around at young couples
out for an evening meal as he removed his leather jacket to reveal
the gun-metal gray, corded rib sweater beneath. He shoved his hands
in the pockets of his dark wash jeans when he
all-knowing friend. He’d had enough of his over-protective
brother act. He could take care of himself. “Look, I’m
fine. I’m just taking a few days. Now get out of my face.”
“Whatever,
man. Don’t come crying to me when she’s got your balls in
a vice grip and you’re dying to get out.”
Landon
knew he wouldn’t win. His only resolution was to walk away,
hide in the solace of his bedroom a few more hours until he could see
Talia again. Damn
it. He was
screwed.
The
day had been monotonous. Talia went along on several different
deliveries just to try and keep the evening ahead off of her mind.
She’d been so stupid to suggest they meet at Sergio’s.
Wasn’t it bad enough that she had so many memories of dates
with Mason there? Now she was adding more misery by agreeing to this
farce of a date with Landon. The girls had apathetically asked Talia
to join them for dinner after their deliveries, and, although she was
tempted, she sensed their lack of sincerity and was glad she already
had plans. She just refused to tell the girls anything about them.
When the shop was closed, the girls didn’t waste a second
getting everything put up and ready for their Monday morning tasks so
they could get away from her company. Talia was well aware of the
distance she’d forced between herself and her friends.
Shutting
off the lights in the shop, she headed upstairs to prepare for her date .
She was using the term loosely since she still wasn’t
completely on board. Thoughts of backing out crept in her mind dozens
of times, but as determined as he’d been, she was certain
Landon wouldn’t give up easily. She knew he would continue to
show up at Satin until he got what he wanted and Talia couldn’t stomach
the thought. Beyond frustrated, she decided to begin her search of
the ideal outfit to make her statement. She may have begrudgingly
agreed to the date, but only because she wanted him out of her life
and off her mind. She didn’t need the distraction that he
created in her day-to-day.
She
retreated to the front of her closet, but nothing in her standard
attire was appealing. It was at the back that she found what might
qualify as acceptable for this dinner with Landon. She pulled out an
old and flouncy chocolate-brown camisole with lace trim for a
feminine affect, but layered it with a turquoise waterfall blazer
that said strictly
platonic. She
found a stiff pair of dark denim skinny jeans that she rarely wore,
because they did nothing to flatter her body, and added a pair of
short brown slouch boots and a brown fedora with a cheetah sash. Her
hair was down and looked a little windblown, but it suited her
opinion of this date. Her
ensemble looked more business than casual and Talia instantly felt it
was satisfactory for this evening. She had no intention of trying to
make this enjoyable for either of them.
Checking
the clock, she realized if she left soon she would arrive on time.
She didn’t intend to seem eager by arriving early, but she
didn’t want to be downright rude and show up late, so she set
out for her car parked at the bottom of the stairs outside. She could
already envision it, her royal-blue diesel Jetta wagon sitting in a
halogen halo, mocking her as it waited to carry her away. Heading out
the door, Talia snatched her winter coat from its peg and threw it
on, trying to keep the chill out and heat in. Once in the car, she
cranked up the heater and headed to the swanky diner she agreed to
meet Landon at. If nothing more, Talia would at least try to make
this evening memorable.
The
streetlights were glowing against the window, creating a romantic
feel to the restaurant that was deepened by the burgundy booths
draped with jade tablecloths. Landon looked around at young couples
out for an evening meal as he removed his leather jacket to reveal
the gun-metal gray, corded rib sweater beneath. He shoved his hands
in the pockets of his dark wash jeans when he
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