Looking past us toward the house, Landon sighs. “Your parents. What if they don’t like me? What if they aren’t happy with you dating two people?”
Ben and I share a look, and I sigh, running my fingers over Landon’s. “You’re impossible to dislike, Lan. I tried.”
His eyes go wide. “Did you?”
I laugh, rolling my eyes. “I mean, yeah. It didn’t work out for me like… even a little. And I know my parents, okay? They won’t care about the configuration of my relationship. Only that I’m happy. I promise.”
The sad laugh Landon lets out makes my heart ache. “That’s such a strange concept to me. I’ve been avoiding my mom’s calls like the plague. I can’t handle hearing the disappointment in her voice when I tell her, ‘No, I actuallyhaven’tgone to any church meetings,’ and ‘No, I’m notgoingto go to any church meetings.’”
“Haveyou told her those things?” Ben asks softly, and Landon shakes his head. “Then how do you know?”
Landon’s shoulders slump. “She talks about her religion like it saved her, and in some ways, it did. But I think she’s waiting for her religion to saveme.And I don’t need to be saved from anything.”
“Of course you don’t.”
We all turn at the sound of my mom’s voice. Her blue eyes sparkle when she sees me, and she rushes off the porch to wrap me in her arms. “Oh, my Parker. I’m so glad you’re home.”
I bury my face in her hair, inhaling the warm scent of vanilla and home. “Hey, Momma,” I whisper, wrapping my free arm around her.
Landon tries to drop my hand, but I hold his tighter, not letting go.
After soaking in Mom hugs for a second, I pull away, giving her a big smile. “Mom, this is Landon and Ben,” I say, gesturing to each of them. “My boyfriends. This is my mom, Elizabeth.”
She shakes her head. “You boys call me Liz, yeah? Or Mom. Either works for me. Never ma’am. And never Elizabeth.”
“It’s so nice to meet you,” Ben says, giving her a smile. Meeting new people is so easy for him, and his charisma and charm have people wrapped around his finger so easily.
“Now, you,” she says, turning her full attention to Landon. She’s small. Barely five feet tall, seeing her stare up at Landon brings a smile to my face. “You’re right. You don’t need to be saved from a single thing. You are perfectly made just the way you are.”
Landon stares at her in shock for a second, his eyes going a bit glassy. “Thank you,” he chokes out. “It’s really nice to meet you.”
“It’s really nice to meet you too.” She steps back, gesturing us toward the house. “Now come on, it’s freezing out here.”
We follow her inside, and I watch Ben and Landon’s expressions as they take in the space. It’s home to me, but it’s always interesting to see it fromsomeone else’s perspective. Darcy about shit a brick the first time he came here.
“Wow,” Landon breathes, and I giggle.
“Wow is right,” Ben agrees.
“What is that?” Landon asks, pointing at the cabinet just inside the door.
Mom lets out a tinkling laugh. “It’s a healing altar.”
“A… healing altar?” Ben questions, stepping closer.
Mom steps up beside him. “Yeah. These are my crystals. For healing, peace, and relaxation.”
Clearing his throat, Landon leans close enough to me that he can whisper in my ear. “So when you said your parents were hippies and the universe and red strings and stuff…”
“Yep,” I say, popping the p. “This is what I meant.” I shoot him a smile. “Listening to the strings of fate served me just fine when it came to you and Ben, huh?”
Landon laughs, and we both sit back, watching as my mom shows Ben each of her crystals, explaining what they do and what they’re for. I can’t tell if he’s actually interested or if he’s just humoring her, but either way, it’s sweet.
Judging by the way his eyes light up as she talks, though, he’s into it. And that makes me happy. I love when people let Mom be herself.
“Let me show you more of the house,” I say, grabbing Landon’s hand. “Ben, you good here?”
He waves his hand without even sparing us a glance. “Totally fine. I’m enjoying this. Have fun, Cotton Candy.”
