“Because I don’t want to get all our hopes up for nothing,” she says. “But I admit, I’m nervous.”
“Is this a phone meeting?”
“Video chat,” she says. “They might be interested in featuring us on a reality food show, and they have questions. I’ll be chatting with a producer and a publicist, a few others too. I’ll let you know if anything comes of it.”
“Well, duh. This is so exciting!”
“If the show wants to intrude on Mia’s kitchen, it won’t be. She’ll put up a fight.”
“She is territorial,” I agree. “But she’ll do what’s best for the restaurant.”
Riley and I stare at each other for a moment, then giggle.
“Okay, she’ll put up a fight. But wow, this could be really cool.”
“I’m ready for more wine and more Stephan.”
“Me too.” I nod and reach for the bottle. “Hit play, sister.”
THERE IS SOMETHING furry on my face.
“Mmmph,” I mumble, muffled. With my eyes still closed, I take stock of my body. My head is lying on something bony, and my feet are up.
What the hell?
I open my eyes, but all I see is gray fur. Scoot is sleeping on my chest. I glance up, and there’s Riley, sleeping with her head back on the couch, and my head is in her lap.
“Good morning,” Landon says, startling me.
“Holy crap.” I stare at his smiling face. “Is this a dream?”
“Yes, I’m your dream lover,” he says, and then laughs. “You weren’t answering your phone.”
“I don’t know where it is.”
“What the hell is happening?” Riley asks, stirring.
“Landon just woke us up.”
“Why?”
“You guys didn’t show up to work and neither of you was answering your phone,” Landon explains again, and circles around the couch, crouches in front of me, and nudges Scoot off my chest. “How are you, sweetheart?”
“Sleepy.” Hungover. “We stayed up late watching our shows.”
“There’s more than one?” he asks.
“We were behind by a few weeks,” Riley informs him. “Damn, my neck is stiff.”
“You were worried when we were late for work?” I ask.
“A little.”
“You know, I don’t know if you know this, but we own the joint,” Riley says, always grouchy when she doesn’t have her coffee. “We don’t have a set schedule.” She scowls. “Wait. What time is it?”
“Nine fifteen,” he replies.
“Fucking hell!” Riley exclaims, and wiggles out from under me. “I have a meeting at ten! Cami, I’m stealing some clothes.”
I slap her ass. “How are you going to fit this luscious ass in my clothes?”
I envy Riley’s ass. She’s curvy where I’m just not.
“I’ll find something.”
She dashes upstairs, and Landon and I just stare at each other until she’s out of earshot. “I missed you last night,” he says, and leans in to kiss my lips softly.
“Aw, I missed you too,” I say, smiling against his lips. “And I’m pretty sure I smell bad.”
“Not too bad.” He kisses me twice more. “Want to ride in with me?”
“I can’t.” I sit up and glance over at Scoot. “I have to take him to the V-E-T.”
“You have to spell it out?”
“Yes, because I’m pretty sure he knows what that word means. I’ve had him awhile. It’s time to have him checked out.”
“Want me to stay and help?”
God, yes. But I square my shoulders and do my best to look brave. “No. I’m fine.”
“Do you have a carrier?”
“Yes. I bought one when I bought his other things.”
Landon nods. “Do you think he’ll let you put him in there?”
“God, I hope I don’t die.”
He laughs and pats me on the leg. “I’ll put him in there for you. Do you think you’ll be okay at the vet’s?”
“Yes, thank you.” He brushes my hair back behind my ear and kisses my forehead as he stands.
“Where is it?”
“In the laundry room, on the dryer.”
He disappears through the kitchen to the laundry-slash-mudroom and returns quickly as Riley makes a mad dash down the stairs, wearing a cute winter dress I forgot I had. “That looks better on you than it does on me.”
“Thanks, I’ll keep it.” She winks at me and hurries into her jacket. “Are you going to stick around tonight for Jake’s set? He’s bringing Max.”
Max is Jake’s business partner and a former member of their band. Jake brings him once in a while to join him onstage, and when the two sing together, the harmonies are magical.
“Yep, that’s my plan. Wanna hang at the restaurant tonight and listen to music?” I ask Landon.
“I can do that.”
“Awesome, I’ll see you later.” Riley waves and runs out. And then, as calmly and easy as you please, Landon reaches over and picks Scoot up in his arms. Instead of the bloodshed I’m expecting, Scoot nestles against Landon’s chin, purring.
“You have got to be kidding me,” I mutter, glaring at both of them. “He barely lets me touch him.”