Me:Yes.
I texted back with one hand as I applied tinted lip gloss with the other, and I would deal with how disgusted I was with myself later.
My laptop chirped as soon as I straightened against my headboard. A happy rush of air whooshed out of me as Landon’s face filled my screen.
“I’m sorry it’s late. I was going to call you on the way home, but I had news I wanted to tell you in person.”
“Oh?” I scooted under the covers and brought the screen closer. I recognized the black headboard in Landon’s bedroom from the last time I’d visited, so he was in bed too.
I was in bed with Landon.
Jesus, I needed to stop this.
He’d removed his contacts and adjusted his black wire-framed glasses as his mouth curved into a smile. He hated his glasses, but I always thought they brought out his sharp jaw and cheekbones. I hadn’t seen him in glasses in a while, and with the sparkles of gray I spotted in his tousled hair, they brought him from handsome to unfairly stunning. His broad chest stretched the gray Fordham University T-shirt he’d had since we graduated. I was impressed that it hadn’t fallen apart, especially as his new muscles pulled at the old seams.
Not that I noticed. Or kept noticing.
“I think it’s good news, or it looks like it.” I crinkled my nose and let out a relieved breath when Landon laughed.
“It is, and it’s in two parts. The first one, the New York branch is a go, and they gave me an informal promise of an offer today.”
“Holy shit!” I gasped. I’d hoped he was moving back, but the confirmation was still a happy shock. “Landon, that is so great. Congratulations.”
“Thanks.” His crooked grin killed me. I wished I could leap into the screen and launch myself into his arms. “I’m honestly a little nervous. It’s the same job, but running the office, even if it’s small and will be mostly remote at first, is a little scary of an idea.”
“You are going to be amazing.” I crossed my arms and rolled my eyes. “Like you always are at everything.”
“Am I?” His lips curled into a smirk.
“Are you fishing for compliments?” I cracked up at his slow shrug.
“I’m having a needy moment. You’re supposed to be my best friend, and that means it’s your job to blow smoke up my ass when I’m feeling low.”
I narrowed my eyes with a groan. I didn’t remember Landon getting anything less than an A- in college, and I’d lost count of his promotions after graduation. His needy moment was cute, even if I was annoyed he’d brought up thoughts of his ass.
“You are the smartest, most successful person I know, and the New York office is only the beginning.”
He pursed his lips, leaning against the headboard with the back of his head resting on his hand. Landon usually took that position during video chats, but it had been a long time since we’d had one. Even though I used to tease him about his sex god pose, I wasn’t used to it anymore, or the fantasies it sparked of me climbing on top of him and tasting the lips I couldn’t seem to forget—along with his groan during our kiss that still vibrated through me whenever I’d allow myself to think about it.
Distance was supposed to put a stop to this, not fan the flames. I’d need to figure out a way to compose myself now that he was going to be close enough to touch.
“That’s it?” he teased.
“Well,” I said with a long sigh. “My job as your best friend is also to keep your ego in check enough that your head isn’t too big to board the plane back to New York.”
His chest rumbled with a laugh.
“I’m proud of you. I always am, but you still find ways to amaze me.”
His grin shrank to a soft smile, and even across the miles, the air still sizzled between us.
“Better?” I asked, arching a brow as I leaned into the screen.
“Yeah,” he said with a gravelly whisper. “That was good.”
“Okay,” I said. “Hit me with part two.”
“My father is engaged. Or he will be when he gets back to Connecticut.”
