We go back to mixing our ingredients, but every time I think of Landon’s brief modeling career, I fight the ensuing giggles by biting my cheek. I must not be doing a good job, though, because Landon snaps, “I mean it, Violet,” and the thought of a perfectly good buttercream being discarded in the trash sobers me right up.
“Now what?” Landon asks, once he’s finished up. He washes his hands in the sink and shoots those dirty dishes yet another distressed glance. “Please tell me it’s time to clean.”
I sigh, scanning the kitchen. My least favorite part. “Yeah, we can clean, I guess.”
“Thank fuck,” says Landon, shoulders drooping with obvious relief.
We’re halfway through the cleaning process when Landon’s ringtone blares through the kitchen. Setting down the sink sponge, he pulls his phone from his pocket and glances at the screen, stiffening at whatever name he sees. Curious, I strain to catch a glimpse of the caller’s identity, but he closes his hand around the phone before I can properly read it.
“I have to take this,” he says. “Finish without me.”
“Is everything okay?”
“Fine.” Any sort of banter we had going disappears as the tightness settles back in his shoulders, brow, and jaw.
Before I can press further, he disappears upstairs to the office, and I don’t see him for the rest of the night.
I try to pretend I’m not disappointed, but it’s hard.
TWENTY-THREE
Despite his adamancy that he’s an unpopular loser with zero friends, Parker has an incredible turnout for his party. It’s early evening when we pull up to the packed beach, and I steady the cake as I kick off my sandals and pad through the sand, Landon following close behind me. A cool breeze drifts off the ocean, and the clear sky is sure to make for a glorious sunset. It’s a perfect night.
I spot Theresa at a long, checkered table covered with burgers, salads, and all your typical cookout side dishes. All that’s missing is the cake.
“Hey, Theresa!” I call, causing her to glance up. She smiles when she sees me, her eyes widening at the dessert in my hands, and she rushes around the table to take it from me.
“Violet, you made it! Oh, my word, I can’t believe this glorious cake!” She shakes her head in disbelief and places it at the end of the table. “This looks professional, Violet. I’m so impressed.”
“Thanks, Theresa. I hope Parker likes it.”
She reaches out to squeeze my shoulder. “He will absolutelyloveit. So kind of you.” Her eyes shift upward, over my shoulder, as Landon appears at my side. “Landon, thank you so much for coming.”
“Brought a gift,” he says, holding out a tiny gift bag that I didn’t notice him slip into the car.
“Landon.” Theresa sighs. “You’ve already done so much for us. Thank you.”
“Of course, Theresa.”
She gestures to the magnificent spread before us. “Now, you two help yourselves to any food. We’re going to light the bonfire as soon as it gets dark.”
With a parting smile, Theresa heads off down the beach, and I turn to face Landon with a knowing grin on my face.
“You brought a gift,” I note.
“Well, itisa birthday party.”
My curiosity gets the better of me. “What is it?”
“Gift card to the skate shop downtown. I noticed he needs new wheels.”
“That was nice of you,” I say, doing my best to hide my surprise.
He shoots me a flat look. “I can benice, Violet. It’s not a foreign concept.”
“Careful,” I warn. “If word gets out that Landon Blair’s suddenly a nice guy, it might ruin your reputation.”
Landon rolls his eyes.
