Way beyond old.
I shrug at their expressions. I mean, what can I say? Kiera is going to believe Landon and I are having sex, regardless of what I tell them. That’s a perk of being in a relationship.
They know I’m not a virgin.
They know I’m not waiting for “The One” before having sex.
But on the other hand, Kiera also knew that I wasn’t interested in having any more men in my life. And she also knows I’m not into one-night stands.
Neither of us is.
“So you’re telling me the only reason you moved in with him is for sex?”Kiera looks as though she’s not sure if she should be shocked or burst out laughing.
“Of course not. I moved in with him because he’s a nice guy.”
Ava coughs, which I suspect was to mask the laugh that erupted from her. She presses her fist to her mouth and pretends to cough again.
“Because he’s a nice guy?” Kiera annunciates each word slowly.
“And he has a cute puppy,” I add, a small shrug in my tone.
That’s all it takes. Ava cracks up, almost doubling in half from laughing so hard.
“Well, Whiskeyiscute.” I fail to keep the touch of defensiveness from my voice.
I look at Landon for confirmation. He’s only doing slightly better than Ava when it comes to his suppressed laughter.
“She’s right,” he says. “Whiskey is cute. But I’m hoping she likes me for more than just my dog.”
“Yes, apparently she likes you due to the sex,” Kiera says drily.
Is it too late to hide under the table?
“There’s a lot more to Landon than that.” I gesture to the table currently obscuring his man parts. The man parts I saw on display a few hours ago—in case Kiera needs me to describe them. “He’s a good cook. He’s funny. And sweet. And good with kids. And is smart.”
“Those aren’t good enough reasons for moving in with a man two days after you meet him,” Kiera says. “If he was merely your roommate because you need a place to live, then fine. I could see that. But the last I’ve heard, you aren’t being evicted from your apartment, the building didn’t burn down last night, and the pipes haven’t burst, forcing you out of your home.”
Damn.Why didn’t Landon and I think of the burst-pipe excuse? That would’ve made more sense.
Right—it still wouldn’t have flown with her. I could’ve easily stayed with her if any of those things had happened.
“I’m falling in love with him, okay?” The words sound as though they’re being dragged through extra chunky peanut butter. “And yes, maybe we’re moving fast with everything, but you have to trust me when I say I know what I’m doing. Besides, life is short. I could be dead tomorrow”—literally, dead tomorrow—“so what’s wrong with living today like it’s my last day?”
The cracking of my voice when I point out I could be dead tomorrow seems to be convincing enough. Kiera knows firsthand what I’m talking about.
Landon reaches for my hand on the table and gives it a subtle squeeze. Message clear. He won’t let anything happen to me if he can help it.
Kiera gives me an appraising look for a moment and turns to Landon. “Do anything to hurt her, and you’ll have me to contend with. Okay?” She narrows her gaze at him, then gives him the universal sign for I’m watching you.
I choke back a laugh.
Landon removes his hand from mine and extends it to Kiera. “You have yourself a deal.”
They shake on it.
“Good, now that we have that out of the way, we need to talk about the Christmas performance,” I say. We have less than a month to prepare for it.
“Are you free after work?” he asks me. “There’s someone I want you to meet.”
