Kathleen glances between the two in confusion. “Were you sick, Landon?”
“Oh, something like that,” Penny says, with an obnoxious giggle that makes me grit my teeth together.
“Landon, why don’t you give her the grand tour?” Kathleen suggests.
“The upstairs is a mess,” Landon mutters, clearly annoyed. “Some of Melanie’s belongings are still up there. Boxes and things. If you’d warned me you were coming, I could have cleaned up.”
My heart sinks as I realize that he’s trying to keep his mother and Penny away from me. Or maybe warn me away from them. Questions bombard my mind, and I wonder, is it because he’s embarrassed that I’m here? Is he ashamed of our “friendship”? Is he interested in Penny and worried she’ll get the wrong idea?
I should go down there just to prove a point, but I can’t make my feet move. I can’t force myself to come face to face with the woman who made me feel so small. So, I hide at the top of the stairs and listen to their exchange from afar.
Like a pushover. Like a coward.
“That waitress isn’t still living here, is she?” Kathleen asks, and heat creeps up my neck at the abhorrence in her tone. My teeth clench tighter, and I try not to think about the last time I interacted with Landon’s mother…when I bathed her in a Bloody Mary.
“No, of course not,” Landon responds—maybe to get his mother off his back?—and a wave of shame washes over me.
Kathleen directs her next words at Penny. “My son’s too charitable for his own good, sometimes. He took in his ex-girlfriend’s poor, pathetic sister when she had no money and nowhere to go, but people will always take advantage if you let them, of course, especially with our status—”
“Mom,” snaps Landon. “Enough.”
“It’s a touchy subject,” she faux whispers to Penny. She claps her hands together. “Well, we’ll just tour the downstairs then.”
“I’d love to see anything you’re willing to show, Landon.” Penny reaches out to touch his arm, fake eyelashes fluttering, and I rub at the sudden discomfort in my chest, trying to make it go away. It doesn’t, especially when Landon begins guiding her through the house.
“Isn’t this a nice home, Penny?” I hear Kathleen ask, though her voice is muffled this far away. My ears strain to hear more. “It was a gift from Landon’s father and me, though he customized it, of course.”
“It’s gorgeous,” Penny gushes. “The kind of house they feature in magazines. My god, this kitchen is stunning. I’m obsessed with this backsplash. You clearly have the foundation, Landon. It just needs a little modernization. I would love to help you curate a new look and style.”
“Wouldn’t that be wonderful, Landon?” Kathleen presses. “Penny’s designs were featured inSouthern Living. She’s made quite a name for herself at such a young age. I thought you might appreciate her ambition.”
“Impressive,” I hear Landon mutter, and that uncomfortable feeling in my chest expands. I rub at it again, willing it away, but the ache only intensifies as I continue to listen to the conversation taking place downstairs. Snowball must sense my distress because she rejoins me at some point, nudging my hand with her wet nose. I pet her absently as the trio works their way through the remainder of the downstairs.
“Hey, where did the little dog go?” I hear Penny ask at some point, and my hand freezes in the fluffy fur. When Snowball whimpers, I put my finger to my lips.
“Shh. Work with me here,” I whisper, and she thankfully stops whining.
“Whose dogwasthat, anyway?” asks Kathleen. “Surely not yours.”
“I’m dog sitting,” Landon lies.
“Since when do youdog-sit?”
“I’m helping out an elderly neighbor.”
“Oh! Howthoughtful, Landon. Isn’t he thoughtful, Penny?”
“That’s so kind of you, Landon,” Penny gushes, and I nearly gag.
Their voices grow increasingly louder as they return to the entry hall, and I gather Snowball in my arms to keep her from dashing down the stairs.
“Thank youso muchfor the tour, Landon,” says Penny. “Your house is incredible. I’d love to come back and view the upstairs once you’ve gotten everything sorted.”
“Sure,” Landon responds, clearly over this entire ordeal.
“You should come to dinner with us,” urges Kathleen. “I bet Penny would love to hear more about the house and the company, and you two could discuss possible color schemes for the redesign.”
“I can’t, Mom. I have plans.”
