“I’m used to reading people. Comes in handy at my job.” He turned his head as he rested his elbows on his knees. “And twenty-something years ago in the Fordham cafeteria, I was that stupid kid, wanting to ask you out but stopping himself.”
My cheeks heated as I spied the wide grin on Landon’s face.
“You should give him some pointers.”
“Ha, right.” He chuckled as he jiggled the ice in his empty cup. “I could have used some back then. Hopefully he doesn’t lose his chance.”
Something in Landon’s gaze made me squirm on the bench. Neither of us ever held back from each other, but for the past couple of months, as often as we’d spoken, it’d always seemed like there was something we wanted to say but just couldn’t come out with it. Living with him would either bring it out or bury it. I wasn’t sure which yet.
Fatigue hit me hard at the end of a day sometimes, and with the rise and fall of adrenaline from the time Landon arrived last night and all the walking we’d done, the crash was even harder. My legs felt heavy when we climbed down the stairs to the subway station, and when the train pulled in and we found a seat, I conked out on Landon’s shoulder.
“Hey.” I woke up to Landon’s whisper as he squeezed my knee. “Two more stops and we’re home. Are you okay?”
I nodded on a yawn. “I was up early, and we did a lot of walking. It catches up to me sometimes.”
“Please don’t fall asleep on the train when you’re alone. I know I’m not supposed to worry about you, but—”
“I don’t plan on going back to an office anytime soon, but if I do, I promise I won’t. I guess having you next to me made me relax.” I slipped my arm into the crook of his elbow as I peered up at him, his brows pulled together as he looked me over.
“Stop,” I said, tapping at the space between his brows. “Remember the wrinkles.” I rested my head on his chest and smiled at his long exhale against my cheek.
When we got home, Landon headed upstairs to change, and I plopped down on my couch, my eyes already heavy again when I dropped my head on the oversized pillow by the arm.
“Are you sure nothing is wrong?”
When my eyes fluttered open, I found Landon looming over me.
“This happens.” I pushed off the couch to sit. “I was going to cook dinner for us later, but would you mind pizza?”
“I was about to ask you what takeout I could treat you to tonight, but pizza sounds fine by me.” He rubbed slow circles over my back. I could feel the calluses on his fingertips as he grazed my neck, too tired to deny the delicious shiver from his touch.
“A late-night house guest I’m sure didn’t help. Sorry about that.”
“Please don’t be.” I turned my head, a smile pulling across my mouth despite my exhaustion. “I’m glad you’re here.”
“Me too.” He grinned as he moved closer. “We could have a movie night when the pizza gets here.”
“We could,” I said on a yawn. “But you’ll probably have to tell me how it ends.” I gave him a wry grin. “I’m a barrel of fun,” I said, rubbing my eyes and feeling the weight of what I was sure would be a concerned stare when I looked up.
“You’re perfect,” he whispered, brushing his lips against my cheek, the scratch of his stubble grazing against my jaw as he pulled away.
I dropped my head to his shoulder. “You’re a good squatter.”
His laugh rumbled against my cheek. Cuddling with him on my couch felt too perfect to dissect any whys or what-ifs, and it felt good to go with it and not question anything today.
After we ate and decided what movie to watch, the next thing I remembered was burrowing my head between the pillows on my mattress.
“How did I get up here?” I asked as I sank my head deeper into the pillow.
“Hey.” I was awake enough to register Landon’s raspy whisper. “You fell asleep, so I brought you upstairs.”
“You carried me?” I asked, blinking at him as my eyes cleared.
“I did. Slow so I wouldn’t wake you, but I guess I set you down a little too hard.” He laughed, sitting on the edge of the bed.
“I’m sorry. You should’ve woken me up.”
He shook his head. My eyes were still hazy, but the adoration in his gaze caught me right in the chest. My room was dark, but I could make out his soft smile as he swept my hair off my forehead.
