Even if that meant Raquelle blew up with it. And Eddie, if he was holed up there.
He drove past the house nonchalantly, already making contingency plans to take things to the next level—while keeping Ivan Pimentel and Yusef Abercrombie at bay.
Chapter Eleven
Raquelle had to admit that she was a little giddy, like a teenager on a first date, going to Landon’s condo for dinner. It had been years since they ate a dinnertime meal together. But the time apart and reflection—along with them having a common purpose in finding Eddie—had softened the strained nature of their relationship. She had no idea if their chemistry and kissing meant there was more to come or if it was just a mutual pause in the status quo for old times’ sake.
After driving into the underground parking garage, Raquelle parked in a guest spot and headed for the elevator. With her hair down, she wore a rose-colored midi shirtdress and brown slingback sandals.Hope I’m not over- or underdressed, she thought when riding up to the condo.
When Landon opened the door, he beamed at her. “Hey.”
“Hey.” Raquelle smiled back. “I might be a little early.”
He countered, “In fact, you’re right on time. The food’s ready. Come in.”
“Thank you.” She stepped inside the condo, her nostrils immediately picking up the appealing scent of dinner.
Landon closed the door and said, giving her a once-over, “You look great.”
“Thanks, again.” Raquelle blushed. She took him in, noting that he was freshly shaven and wearing a lilac-colored herringbone shirt, dark blue pants, and black loafers. “You clean up nicely yourself,” she had to say truthfully.
“I try my best when a good opportunity to get out of work attire presents itself.” He flashed his teeth. “So, this is it—the place I’ve been renting for half a year now.”
Raquelle scanned the condo’s layout and furnishings before stating, “It’s wonderful, Landon. Suits you, actually.”
“You think?”
“Yes, for a single man on the go.”Did I really just give a stamp of approval for my ex-husband’s bachelor life as a divorcé?Raquelle asked herself. “It’s just a nice, charming condo,” she tried to correct.
“Glad you approve.” Landon laughed. “I was lucky to land it. That being said, it doesn’t really compare to the house we bought and its charms. I’m happy that you agreed to keep it and watch the value grow over time.”
“Thanks to you,” Raquelle said, giving credit to where it was due. Even if she felt a little guilty in getting the better of the deal in their divorce settlement.
Landon told her, “In all fairness, it was the least I could do to try and end things between us on a good note and make sure you were left with something wholly deserving.”
She colored, feeling almost speechless in his selflessness at a time when the legality of their romance had come to a crashing halt. “I appreciate it,” she managed tosay before zeroing in on the familiar acoustic guitar on a wooden guitar stand. “I see you’re still playing the guitar.”
“Yeah, a bit.” Landon gazed at it. “I’m afraid that more often than not it just collects dust these days. My bad.”
“I agree—as you’re a good guitarist,” she stressed.
“Thanks,” he said. “But I’d take your piano playing over my guitar any day of the week, if I could.”
“Hmm…” She met his eyes thoughtfully. “Maybe we’ll get to play together again one of these days.”
“I would definitely be on board with that.” He grinned. “Well, feel free to freshen up—there’s a half bath just off the kitchen—and I’ll serve dinner.”
“Smells wonderful.”
“Hope you like it just as much.”
After washing her hands, Raquelle joined Landon in the kitchen. “What can I do to help?”
“Anything you want,” he said half-jokingly. “Plates are in there—” he pointed at the two-toned upper cabinets “—and glasses in that one. Silverware’s already out.”
She smiled. “Setting the table coming right up.”
He nodded. “As for the meal itself, I decided to go with braised chicken thighs, pasta salad, dinner rolls, and white wine to wash it down.”
