It was all on him.
Kiera smiles sweetly at Landon, flashing her dimples. “Maybe you could seduce her into granting her permission for the Christmas show. You know, take one for the team.”
I beam at him. “Oh, that’s a great idea. You’re hot. She’s bound to say yes if you ask her.”
One of his eyebrows raises. “You think I’m hot?”
I wave off his comment and pick up a cherry tomato from my salad. “Of course. We all do, right?” The last part is directed at Kiera and Ava.
“She does make a good point,” Kiera says. Ava doesn’t say anything, but the corners of her mouth twitch with barely contained mirth.
Of course, she won’t say anything. She’s in love with her husband. In her mind, everyone pales in comparison to Liam.
And pretty much in reality, too.
The man is damn hot.
Just not as hot as Landon, but I’m not admitting that to anyone. They might get the wrong idea.
“And once you’ve seduced her into giving me permission to do the show,” I say, “I’ll arrange everything. Zoe is the one who usually organizes the school concerts and performances, but since she’s on maternity leave, that falls on me.”
Somehow I keep my voice even, not a hint of panic coloring my tone.
Perhaps there’s an actress inside me, after all.
Way, way,waydeep inside me.
“I can help you with the concert part,” Landon says.
“Do you know anything about organizing performances?” Hope swirls inside me like a chocolate-and-vanilla soft serve ice cream.
“Not exactly, but I’m willing to do whatever I can to help you.”
“And that includes the seduction of Tabitha?” I flash him what I hope are convincing puppy dog eyes, channeling the ones in Whiskey’s photo.
“I don’t seduce women I don’t want to be with.”
“Even if it’s for a great cause?”
“Not even for that.”
“How about a little harmless flirting? Just pour on that natural charm you have going for you. You don’t have to seduce her. Flatter her a little, and she’ll be more than happy to oblige your requests.”
From the corner of my eye, I catch Ava cringing.
“You look like you work out regularly,” Kiera says.
Landon nods. “That’s right.”
He’s wearing a button-up shirt, but it’s clear from the way it fits his body, he’s in great shape. His exposed muscular forearms confirm that, too.
“Then, I suggest you remove your shirt while talking to her.” Kiera waves her empty fork at him. “That’s bound to work. Just don’t be obvious about it—that way she won’t get the wrong idea.”
Ava covers her mouth with her hand as though she’s trying to hold back a laugh. The corners of her eyes crinkle, giving it away.
“Can’t you just ask her?” he says. “She might surprise you. Tell her exactly why you want to do the concert. How can she say no?”
“Do you not remember the part about why she hates me? It’s not like I can even apologize for what happened. I didn’t do anything to encourage him. I’ve never even met her ex-husband.”
