“Which means we’re all happy,” Bailey said. She leaned her head on his shoulder and snuggled close to him. The physical closeness between them caused all his endorphinsto kick into high gear. He didn’t think it was humanly possible for him to feel any happier. This was beginning to feel all too real.
By eleven o’clock, most of the guests had started to filter out of the house, and the party began to wind down.
“I think it’s past my bedtime,” Bailey said, trying to hide a yawn with her hand. “It’s time I headed home.”
Landon stood up from the couch and helped Bailey to her feet. “Let me go get your coat.”
He made a quick trip to the study and came back with her jacket. He held it out so she could slip her arms through the sleeves.
“Bailey and Landon, you’re standing under the mistletoe,” Hattie called out. Her voice was sounding weaker and raspier by the minute. Yet she still sounded joyful. Her eyes glittered as she gazed at the two of them.
“Don’t leave us hanging,” Caleb said, gesturing for them to kiss.
“Go on and kiss the girl,” Xavier called out.
“Stop pressuring him,” True hissed, jabbing him in the side.
Landon looked up and spotted the sprig of mistletoe above where he and Bailey were standing. He should have known better than to stand directly under it. Hattie really did have eagle eyes.
He moved closer to Bailey and spoke in a near whisper so no one else could hear him. “I’m sorry about this,” he apologized before dipping his head down and slanting his lips over hers. Although he intended for it to be only a quick peck to satisfy Hattie, Bailey wrapped her arms around his neck andpulled him closer toward her. Landon could hear clapping and cheers as the kiss ended and they pulled apart.
“Don’t they look marvelous together?” Hattie asked. She was crossing her hands prayerfully in front of her.
“Let me walk you to your car,” he offered.
“Thanks for the offer, but I’m parked right by the mailbox, and it’s freezing out there. You stay right here in the house, where it’s warm.”
“If you’re sure,” he said. “Thanks for being here tonight. It meant a lot to Hattie.”And to me, he thought. He stopped short of saying the words out loud.
“Fun,” Bailey said, a smile twitching at her lips. “I found out a lot about you. And being able to share such precious time with Hattie is something I won’t ever forget.”
“Next time I hope to find out more about you,” Landon said. “I think that I spilled my guts tonight.”
“That can be arranged,” she said, turning to walk down the steps. After making it past just one step, she turned back toward him with a little smile on her lips. “By the way, Landon, a kiss isn’t just a kiss.”
Before he could even blink, Bailey was at the bottom of the stairs and briskly walking away from him. The light dusting of snow on the ground didn’t seem to impede her at all. He stood on the front porch and watched as she warmed up the car before driving off into the night. His stomach was filled with little bubbles floating all around. The truth was, he enjoyed this charade. Despite the guilt and the angst, he was loving it. He liked spending time with Bailey and enjoyed the idea that people actually saw them as a couple.
Frankly, he was ashamed that he derived so muchpleasure from a made-up romance. If his brothers only knew, they would never let him live it down. A fake relationship! They would laugh themselves senseless.
Nope. Telling the truth at this point just wasn’t possible. He was in far too deep to swim to the shore now. Landon was just going to have to finish what he’d started. And hope that it sustained Hattie until she drew her last breath.
