Vannah’s harsh mask cracks, allowing a grin to peek through. “You can be quite funny.”
With a bent knuckle, I trace the blush on her cheek. “With a captivated audience, I’m inspired to be much more than that.”
“I’m only agreeing to an innocent outing. Don’t get ahead of yourself.”
The victory is still mine to gain. I almost shout for all to hear—stupid as that might be. This girl turns me into a fool. I don’t mind a single iota. “Does this mean I’m still a member of The Haters Club?”
She bites her bottom lip. “We might not be enemies forever.”
“That’s the fantasy keeping me up at night.” I wink at her, and she groans. Might as well push my luck. “Can I join you for coffee?”
The odds that she’ll agree are about fifty-fifty. She squints at me, weighing the bets rolling in. “Will that count as our date?”
I snort. “Not a chance.”
A slim brow quirks at me. “Then what are you suggesting?”
“Baseball,” I blurt.
“Do you already have the tickets?” Her features crease further. “You assumed I’d be convinced.”
I shrug while studying the traffic bottlenecked at the intersection. “We’ll get them at the stadium.”
“Those leftover seats are most often nosebleeds.”
“I’m not interested in the game, Savannah. Only the company I have every intention to keep matters.”
Vannah is quiet for a moment, her lips twisting to one side. Then a wide smile replaces the pucker. “I have a better idea.”
Landon crosses his arms while stabbing me with a glare. Well, I assume he’s glaring. It’s impossible to tell behind those mirrored shades. “Tell me you’re joking.”
I lift my foot onto the small tire. Stilettos will make this a real adventure. “Afraid not, Lannie. These bad boys belong to us for the next two hours.”
The early afternoon crowd at Lake Calhoun is thriving with energy. That thrum soaks into my bare arms and I let out a long sigh. Between the sun glittering on the water’s surface to the cheerful chatter from everyone walking by, my mood is getting a bright boost. The grump hovering in my periphery only increases that bump.
“I’m not getting on that.” His upper lip curls at the Segway parked next to mine.
“Throwing in the towel so soon? Had I known all it would take is a ridiculous mode of transportation, this little charade could’ve ended days ago.”
“You’re only doing this to make me look stupid.” He can’t prove that, but it’s one hundred percent true.
That’s right—Landon Winters is being reduced to common folk status. Oh, how the mighty fall indeed. He should be blaming himself for giving me free rein.
A giggle tickles my throat. “I don’t see the issue.”
He frowns. “There has to be a more dignified path back into your good graces.”
“Afraid not.” I have the courtesy to wince.
“Savannah.” His tone borders on pleading. For him, anyway.
“Lannie,” I retort.
“Let’s go to Hawaii instead.”
I pause at that extremely lofty—and ostentatious—counteroffer. The ocean mist spritzing my face would be quite refreshing. Damn, that’s tempting. Then the bubble bursts when I refocus on our current surroundings. He’s not sweeping me off my heels that easily.
“That’s very generous, but I want to show you my city.” I stick my bottom lip out, letting a slight wobble take effect. My pout is capable of making grown men crumble. I’ve witnessed it on several occasions.
Landon’s thumb rubs at my protruding plea. “It’s cute when you steal my lines.”
“I’ve learned from the best.”
He drags his aviators down the bridge of his nose. The sole purpose is so that I can watch him ogle me. “Your attire can hardly be considered appropriate for traipsing around on a motorized stick horse.”
I glance down at my designer skirt and towering pumps. “Do you have a problem with my outfit?”
His mouth crooks into a devilish smirk. “Not at all. In fact, I’m interested in seeing how it looks scattered on the floor.”
With a tsk, I boop him on the nose. “You’re not getting out of this.”
He nips at my finger. “I prefer to explore all avenues before conceding.”
“Our rental window is ticking. Stop stalling and put on your helmet.” I pass him a shiny dome for his melon.
Landon makes no move to put it on, scowling as if the sight alone offends him. “I can’t believe I’m doing this.”
“Me either, to be honest. I was mostly kidding, but we’re invested now.”
“This wouldn’t be happening if I didn’t love you.”
I freeze as that word rolls from his tongue like the