“Sure.” He drew the word out, once again expressing disbelief, but his eyes sparkled. “I’ll take your word for it.”
“Did you decide where to take your grandmother?” After she’d asked the question, she wished she hadn’t. Was it weird to remember every detail of a conversation held two months ago with someone she’d never met?
Then again, he’d remembered her and invited himself to lunch, so if anything, their weirdness quotient was even.
“Yes, but I’m not sure it will work out.”
“Why not?”
“I presented her with the surprise weekend getaway last week, but she won’t accept it without conditions.” They reached the diner, and he held the door open for her.
“That’s…” She trailed off before she insulted his family. He obviously loved his grandmother, and it wasn’t her place to judge the situation.
“Rude,” he finished for her. “It goes against everything Gran ever taught me, but in her defense, she has good intentions.” He paused. “The problem is, I don’t happen to agree with her.”
“What has to happen for her to come?”
“I have to invite my parents.” It sounded like he choked on the words. The taut line of his cheekbones confirmed the idea disgusted him.
“I’m guessing that’s where the drama comes from?”
He nodded. “Like I said, it’s a long story.”
“Did you do it?”
“Invite them?”
“Yes.” A booth along the left wall opened, and she moved toward it.
“Unfortunately.” He let out a sardonic laugh. “I’d hoped, even prayed, they would decline so I could fulfill my obligation without having to spend a weekend with them.”
She stole a look at him before sliding into the seat, saw his eye twitch. “I guess that plan failed?”
“You have no idea.” He shook his head as he lowered himself on the bench across from her. “Not only did they agree, but they also took it as a sign of me wanting reconciliation now.”
“Would that be so bad?” She’d unwittingly instigated a game of twenty questions. Though naturally curious, she typically didn’t pry but sensed Landon needed an unbiased ear for venting.
Staring at his hands folded on the Formica tabletop, he didn’t say a word. After several seconds, he looked up and cleared his throat. “Unless you’ve lived my life, it’s hard to explain. Let’s just say I don’t trust them and never will, for good reason.”
“Fair enough.”
“What’s good here?” He craned his neck to look at the menu board on the back wall.
“Don’t pay attention to that. It hasn’t been updated in years.” She jutted her chin toward the approaching waitress. “Tilly will give you a menu. The burgers are good, and the chicken salad is to die for.”
“Good to see you, Jess. Who’s your friend?” Tilly dropped menus in front of them but not before giving Jessa a curious wink and Landon a devouring appraisal.
Great. The gossip mill will be running rampant before our meal arrives.Jessa smiled back without giving any indication of anything amiss.Because nothing is. I’m having lunch with a visitor who wants more information on Jasper Lake.“Tilly McClean, Landon Reeves. He’s arranging a little getaway for his grandmother.”
Landon nodded his head as means of greeting her. “Nice to meet you.”
She noticed he didn’t offer Tilly a normal handshake. Did he discern her blatant interest and knew it best to steer clear of her? Tilly was a sweet girl but made no secret that she had one goal in life—to find a husband.
“Where you from, handsome?” Tilly asked, pulling out an order pad.
“Pennsylvania, and I’d like an iced tea to drink, please.” He turned his attention to the menu, respectfully refusing her bait.
“One iced tea coming up.” Unfazed, Tilly turned to Jessa. “Your usual diet pop?”
