her," he adds quickly.
"Well, she's... just amazing." Not the word, but it'll do. How am I supposed to do justice to the coolest kid on Planet Earth? "Top of her class in reading, devours every single book and magazine in the house, even got halfway through War and Peace before I realized what she was doing. I guess I'm biased, but she's turned out way better than I would've even hoped. Always in a good mood. She's the best of me. You'll see."
I freeze. How the hell did that last part slip out?
Landon's eyeing me carefully. "Will I? You sure?"
"No," I say quickly, then, "Sorry."
"Don't be." Landon sips his water, his face guarded, though his blue eyes give away his disappointment. "You're just trying to protect her."
I shoot him a thankful smile. "Thanks for being so understanding."
His smile is lopsided but true. "Thanks for coming. I didn't relish a lunch with Nolan. He's been badgering me for days."
"You're avoiding him?"
"He..." Landon makes a face. "Doesn't agree with some of my choices lately. And is making no secret of the fact."
"Oh. You mean me."
Just then, the waitress arrives with our food. We start eating. The scrambled eggs are done to perfection, but I can't let it drop.
"Landon?"
"He's just trying to look out for me," Landon says, dipping the corner of his toast into his poached eggs. "Not a big deal. He's worried about the case too."
"I get that," I say. "He wasn't my biggest fan back in the day, either, if I'm remembering correctly."
Swallowing, Landon smirks. "He was just pissed that you told Miss Haggerty that he was the one who pranked her office with all those fish."
"Well, she was suspecting Pompom, so I had no choice," I shoot back.
Landon shrugs. "Nolan had it coming. He tormented that poor woman. Although, I'm pretty sure she did suspend him for wearing a shirt that looked like a gang slogan but was actually some profound Japanese quote about the afterlife."
We chuckle. My phone goes off.
One look at the message, and I get up.
"Sorry," I tell Landon, "but I have to go."
Chapter 17
Kyra
God, I hope she's OK.
Madison doesn't get sick. Ever. But barfing and not being able to stop?
And why was my mom the first to hear about it and not me?
Whatever. I'm pretty sure the vice-principal is so-so on me, since I'm a working single mom and don't return all of her calls within five minutes.
In any case, I'm on my way there now, weaving through cars like I'm getting paid for it. I dare a cop to stop me right now.
It sucks having to leave Landon like that, but I have to get to Mom's place ASAP. Make sure my baby is OK.
This is what being a parent is. Madison will always be my number-one priority. No exceptions.
If Landon can't handle that, well...
Once I get to the door, Mom answers with a gentle smile. "She's asleep."
"What?!? I thought you said she was projectile vomiting and wouldn't stop."
"That was fifteen minutes ago," Mom says, stepping aside so I can come in. "Go see for yourself."
So I do. Sure enough, plopped on Mom's couch, with her hair pulled back from her pale face, Maddy's out like a light.
"What do you think it was?" I ask her.
"Eh, about that," Mom begins, looking distinctly guilty.
"Mom," I say.
She sighs. "Well, I looked it up online, and apparently the hot dogs I gave her last night were recalled yesterday. I'm so sorry."
I give her a small hug and a pat. "It's fine. Could've happened to anyone."
"I am mad, though," Mom says. "Maddy could've been seriously hurt! Shame on them. Good you could come so quickly, dear. Court case done?"
"For the day, yes," I say.
Mom always has had a nose for sniffing out things I don't want her to know about. But I'm not about to admit where I've been. It's messing up my head enough without adding my mom's unwanted input to it.
I end up staying for another few hours, Mom and I catching up, and me helping her with some gardening, until Maddy wakes up. Then, after way too much hugging and "Mommmmm"s, I drive her home, feed her some banana and arrowroot cookies, then tuck her into bed. She's only too happy to sleep some more.
I've just finished the dishes when Pamela calls. "You down for a girl's night?"
"Am I ever!" It seems like ages since we last had one, though I know it hasn't been all that long. I guess a lot just happened. "You