“Fair enough. We’ll have to make sure you enjoy your stay.”
What does that mean? Will he personally show me around? Will he give me tips on where to go? Or was it just something he said with no intention to do anything about it? And why am I losing my mind over a guy I met five minutes ago?
We made it out of the casino and into the much quieter shopping area. There was a small shop right next to the entry, and Landon steered us inside.
“Don’t you want to go to a proper clothing store?” I asked. He didn’t strike me as someone who would buy anything cheap.
“Nah. Too far. I’d rather spend time with you than waste it finding something to wear.”
Well, that shut me up. I followed him around the shop, trying to come up with a reply.
“This one will do,” Landon said and pulled out a gray T-shirt.
He handed it to the wide-eyed shopgirl, who was trying her best to push her breasts out and into his face.
I get you, sister. We all want to thrust our boobs in his line of sight.
After paying for the shirt, Landon pulled his wet T-shirt over his head, showing off a body to match his face. Happy trail. Six-pack. Tanned skin. He seemed too good to be real. I wondered if the girls had hired a stripper to play a prank on me. Wouldn’t be the first time. Not the stripper part but the prank.
Sadly—for both the shopgirl and me—he pulled on the new shirt with efficient movements.
My eyes were glued to his chest, so when I was faced with his new purchase, I choked on a laugh. The front had two dice on it, and it said “Blow Me” above them.
“Uh, Landon, are you sure you want to wear that shirt?”
He looked to where my eyes were still staring and laughed. “Wasn’t planning on going anywhere fancy tonight. We were on our way to Let’s Fry This for chicken wings. They won’t care what I wear. And I bet they’ve seen worse.”
“I guess.”
He paid and we left the drooling girl behind. Once outside, I pulled out my wallet and handed Landon money. “There you go.”
“What’s that for?”
“The T-shirt.”
He put his hands up, looking offended. “I’m not taking your money.”
“But didn’t you say we were going to get a new T-shirt?”
Wasn’t that the whole reason he made me come along?
“I did. But I never said you’d be paying.”
Why wouldn’t he just take my money and get on with his night? I was sure he had better things to do than stand outside a store and argue with a stranger. “But it was my fault your shirt was ruined. It’s only fair that I pay for a new one.”
He had that sparkle back in his eyes. “It’s all good. And I have a better idea how you can make it up to me.”
“How?”
“Come with me to Let’s Fry This.”
I didn’t know why he wanted me to come along. But what I did know was that I wanted to spend more time with him.
“Okay. Yeah. Sure. Let’s go,” I said, surprising myself.
Las Vegas must have already gotten to me, because this was the most spontaneous thing I’d done in my life. I just hoped I wouldn’t regret it.
Idefinitely had no regrets. Instead, I had the time of my life. The moment we got into the taxi to drive to the restaurant, I wanted to throw my ten-year plan out the window. Landon was attentive, funny, and seemed to be genuinely interested in what I had to say. He almost didn’t seem real.
