Spying Under the Mistletoe (Love Undercover #2) - Stina Lindenblatt Page 0,18
in this conversation.
“So, are you interested in having a second date after this?”
“Technically, this isn’t even a first date.”
“Sure, it is. I’m making you dinner, right?” He gestures at the food spread out on the counter. “That counts as a date.”
I laugh—he really is funny. “But talking shop kind of negates that. And shop talk is the reason I’m here. We’re discussing the show, and I’m sharing tips on how to deal with kindergarteners.”
“Well, how about we have a date tonight and not talk shop?”
I shake my head. “I don’t date.”
“Not at all?”
“Nope. Not at all. Men tend not to stick around in my life for long.”
“You’ve obviously gone out with the wrong men.”
“Oh, it’s not just the men I’ve dated. My biological father and my stepfather weren’t any different.”
A frown creases Landon’s brow. “They both actually told you they were leaving your mother because of you?”
“No, but after they left us, they never tried to contact me. I thought they loved me. I was wrong. So clearly, I’m a terrible judge of character.” Although in the case of my father and stepfather, it was my mother who’d been the terrible judge of character.
I’m just the one who (eventually) learned from Mom’s mistakes. I’m the one who decided to be a lot more cautious when it came to giving my heart away again.
I scoop up Whiskey and cuddle him.
The little furball licks my chin. I can see why dogs make good emotional-support animals. His unconditional love is a great balm for the battered soul.
I grin at him and kiss his fuzzy little head. Then I look over to Landon. “I’m not interested in dating you. But I’m more than happy to be your friend.”
Since you can never have too many friends.
Landon doesn’t say anything more on the topic, which, fortunately, switches to something I’m happy to discuss. While he cooks dinner, I continue cuddling Whiskey and sharing my teaching tips.
At one point, I walk over to the bookshelf against the wall and study the photos on it. Most of them are of different outdoor locations—some I recognize from the US, others from South America. In each of them, Landon is with a group of men, all wearing backpacks.
I pick one up and study it. “You’ve hiked Machu Picchu?” I can’t keep the excitement out of my voice at the thought that he’s been there. We have that in common.
“I have.”
“I love hiking, and that’s one location I’ve been lucky to visit. Along with the Grand Canyon.” I nod at the bookshelf. He’s also been there.
“Do you hike often?”
“I try to go as often as I can during the spring and summer. I love getting lost in nature and forgetting all my problems waiting for me at home.”
“I feel the same way. There’s something about hoisting on a backpack and hiking.”
I return the picture frame to the bookshelf. Part of me wants to tell him that if he’s ever looking for a hiking partner…
But I don’t let the thought go too far. As much as I would love to go hiking with someone as passionate about it as I am, we’ve only known each other for a few days.
That doesn’t, though, stop us from spending the next hour talking about the different locations we’ve been to and comparing notes.
After dinner, we’re putting the dishes away in the dishwasher when Landon asks, “When are you talking to Tabitha?”
“Tomorrow night. There’s a PTA meeting then.”
Although after what Ava and Kiera told me, I don’t have a good feeling about that plan. I have no idea how I’m going to convince Tabitha to throw in her support for the Christmas show.
“What time’s the meeting?”
I tell him.
“I’ll be there.”
“Ahh, so Kiera convinced you to go shirtless for the cause after all?” Score one for my best friend.
He laughs, the sound deep and delicious. Like a warm hug on a chilly fall morning. “No, but I figure the more support you have behind the idea, the better your chances of her approving it.”
“And if that fails, you’ll go with Plan B?” I gesture at his upper body with a wave of my hand.
“How about this…if I remove my shirt for the cause, you agree to go out with me for our second date.”
“First date.”
His mouth tugs to one side. “So, you’re agreeing to go out with me?”
I roll my eyes. “Fine. If it comes down to you removing your shirt to encourage Tabitha to agree to the Christmas show, I’ll go on a date with you.”