Page 70 of Don't Look Down
“Yeah, the multi-slide doors are a favorite of mine. I’d keep this open year-round if not for the excessive heat and mosquitoes.”
Of course the outside is just as magnificent as the inside. If not more so. It’s an outdoor oasis. The smooth travertine pavers are a gorgeous sandy shade that gives the space a beachy vibe.
His pool has a sun shelf with built-in loungers and an umbrella on one end. A hot tub.
“Oh, hi, this is me letting you know, I’ll be coming over and swimming in this beauty one day. And boiling myself in your hot tub.”
His laugh is the best thing ever. “Definitely. I can grill some burgers or something. That’s well within my capabilities.”
Hence the fabulous outdoor kitchen and grill.
Fucking hell. He wouldn’t even have to ask me. I’d willingly cook every single meal here for the rest of my life.
Instead of begging him to let me live here, I open my fat mouth and ask something I shouldn’t. “Please tell me you sunbathe naked and skinny dip like a proper hedonist. Your privacy fence literally begs for nakedness.”
“Yes, he does.” The feminine voice makes us both jump in surprise, our eyes darting to the door. She walks over to me, hand extended for a shake, with all the confidence and hip swaying of a model walking down the runway. Well, hello, Savannah Atwood.Damn, she’s even more beautiful in person.“You must be Sky. Spence has spoken about you often.”
I can’t say the same about you. Ugh, that’s an ungracious thought. I stand to shake her hand and give her a kiss on the cheek. Her perfume is light and flowery. “Nice to meet you.”
“Likewise.” She turns her ocean blue eyes on Landon. “Hello. Fancy seeing you here. Glad you’re not dead. Care to explain why you’ve been ghosting me?”
A gust of wind partially drowns out Landon’s mutter, but I’m pretty sure I heard a “fuck.”His cheeks pinken.
Interesting.
What’s all this?
“Sorry, Sav, been busy. I knew we’d be seeing each other on the boat soon. I figured we’d catch up then.” His voice is steady, but his tone is…off.
Those eyes of hers could kill. “Then just say that.Hey, Sav, I’m crazy busy, but I’ll see you soon. I’m not dead. ’Kay, thanks, bye. Simple. It’s simple, right, Sky?”
I wag my finger at them. “Nuh-uh. I’m not getting in the middle of a lover’s quarrel. I’m minding my business.”
Her eyes flick back to Landon. “Do better next time, ’kay?”
I giggle when he rolls his eyes at her like a properly scolded boyfriend. “Okay, woman, I get your point. Now, would you like to join us? We’re just about to eat some lunch.”
“Is that Luigi’s I smell?” she asks.
“You know it.”
“I’ll have some chicken and salad.”
Ugh, of course the not-girlfriend-girlfriend is perfection on mile-long legs.
She’s tall, slim, and gorgeous. Sweet and funny. But tough as nails with a take-no-shit attitude. I like her. I don’t want to, but I do. They’re perfect for each other. They’re chatting comfortably, passing the containers back and forth with the ease of familiarity.
The conversation flows easily and the food is delicious.
At one point, their eyes meet, smiling softly at each other. And their future together in this house is clear as day in front of me. One day, they’ll have perfect chubby blonde babies. One with her blue eyes. One with Landon’s green. My heart crumbles into pieces. The teeny tiny spark of hope deep inside me, the one I’ve been trying so hard to ignore, withers into a pile of bitter ash. It rises up and coats my throat, cutting off my airway and making it hard to breathe.
What’s your problem, Sky? You don’t even want a relationship. Shake off this weird disappointment and let it go. Flirting does not a happily ever after make. It meant nothing. Nothing was going to happen.
We’ve finished our meal and it’s getting a bit late. We’ve been talking a lot longer than I intended. As I say my goodbyes, an idea forms. If Savannah is part of Landon’s life, I need to accept that and welcome her with open arms. I’m actually the new one here, but in my mind, she’s new to me. “You should join us for dinner at my place. A few of my friends are coming over tomorrow. Landon and Luc will be there. I’m making some traditional Cuban food.”
Her face falls. “Aww, babe, I’d totally be there, but I have an evening shoot tomorrow. But we should definitely get together at some point.”
“Sky’s joining us on Bash’s boat.”