Page 40 of Legacy

“So… how long are you in town for?” I asked, feeling awkward.

“A couple of days. Not too long. I’m a business analyst. And I’m on a break just to see the mountains. Get that mountain air. You know?”

“I do know. I love it here for that reason.”

The bell over the door jingled again, and a familiar, far too built, far too alluring presence walked in, and Callum strolled towards the counter. He gave me one look and glared over at Landon before turning to Lorenzo.

“I’m here for Teagan’s order. Because apparently, she needs caffeine after five pm.”

Lorenzo laughed. “Okay, old man. I guess once you reach a certain age, caffeine is a problem.”

“You’re lucky I like you, Lorenzo.” Callum shook his head, his lips twitching.

“Felicity. Did you hear what I was saying? Do you know him?”

I whirled towards Landon, nearly spilling my drink. “Oh, sorry. Got distracted. Long day. I’m sorry.”

“Oh.” Landon frowned and looked over at Callum before turning back to me.

Landon was slender, probably far slenderer than any man I’d ever dated, a runner’s build, if anything. He had long, curly blond hair but had pulled it back into a ponytail. He had one of those soul patches and wore suspenders. I didn’t mind the look, considering all my friends dressed however they wanted. But he did not give off the same aura as Callum.

That was probably why I had swiped the way I had.

“Anyway. I’ve been married for about four years now, and when I go to different towns, my wife and I like it when I hook up with someone. That way, she can watch over the stream, and we can spice up our marriage.”

I finally clued in to what he was saying and continued to blink. “Excuse me?”

That time, my voice had gone high pitched.

“What? I thought I was pretty clear in my texts to you, right? This is just for the evening?”

“No. That’s not at all what you said.”

He frowned, looked at his phone, and his eyes widened. “Oh shit. I told that to someone else. You. Well. I mean. Same goes. You know?”

“I think I’m going to go now. Excuse me.” I stood up, coffee sloshing over the rim. Landon stood up quickly and looked down at the coffee now staining his pants.

“Are you fucking kidding me? Just because you’re not into an open relationship doesn’t mean you had to burn me.”

“Something wrong here?” Callum asked as he strolled over, that glare on his face too alluring. Damn that man.

“Nothing. Landon was just leaving.”

“I thought you were? But you know what, maybe I don’t understand small-town girls. My wife and I can find someone else.” He gave a two-finger salute, didn’t bother to get his drink or pay for it, and just walked out.

I looked around the other tables, filled with people I knew, and glared up at Callum.

“If you say a word to my brother about this.”

“About what? The fact that you just went on a date with a married man who was looking for a third for the evening?”

“Dating is hard. And apparently, I don’t know what all of the acronyms mean on apps. Or maybe I do, and he lied. Either way. I’m going to go eat that entire Danish and then head home. To live with my parents. Because there’s no other place I can live.”

“I might have a line on something for you,” Callum said softly.

I turned my gaze up to him. “Really? You’re not just saying that because I’ve had a bad night?”

“Oh, you’ve had a bad night. Hilarious. And by the way, you do realize that one of the busboys at Summit Grill is over in the corner, right? He’s going to tell Rune.”