Forever (Always & Forever 2)

“I don’t see children in my future. Hell, I can’t even find anyone who wants to go out with me,” Robert said with a huff, sitting back in the seat, crossing one leg over the other.

“You can find a date anytime you want one.” She again moved the fork back and forth to her mouth. He wished what she said was true. “I wanted you to bring that airman home with you. He looked so…” She dreamily looked away as the fork paused again halfway to her mouth. “Dreamy. He looked dreamy, like the pictures of the soldiers in the movie Grease. Remember them? He has that strong jaw and full lips.”

“When did you see him?” he asked, knowing there’d not been a single time he’d shared anything more than Landon’s name with her.

“A guy helps my brother out of the worst funk I’ve ever seen, of course I’m going to search for him,” she said in a tone indicating he might be the dumbest person on the planet. Even with his need to keep Landon to himself, tucked away in that private place where no one could mess with the memory, he decided Autumn had a point. If the tables were turned, he’d want to thank the person who helped Autumn.

“Yeah, he’s nice looking,” he grudgingly admitted, intentionally understating the beauty that was Landon. In fact, the man might be the most gorgeous guy he’d ever seen.

“Better than that.” Autumn sat back, taking a deep breath. She looked down at the almost empty plate before pushing it away as if it no longer held power over her and turned her full attention to Robert. “So why didn’t you make a move?”

“I wasn’t thinking about that at the time.” Which was a very honest answer. How could he hit on the very man to whom he had cried? A man with intimate knowledge of exactly how weak he’d been. He absently rubbed at the twinge of pain that scraped across his heart.

“Are you thinking about him now?” she asked, lifting an eyebrow.

“No… I don’t know. Yeah, I guess. Doesn’t matter though. He’s not interested,” Robert said, grabbing his fork then reaching for the dessert plate, taking the bite Autumn left behind. Landon stressed him out, totally pushed him to dysfunctional eating.

“Why do you say that?”

“He has all my contact information and has made zero moves, which is outlined in the first chapter of the he’s-not-into-you playbook. I’ve thought back over the time we shared; he never gave me the interested vibe. He was just kind when I needed it the most.” Again, another very honest answer on a subject he didn’t want to talk about.

“So, you’re thinking about him.” She looked thoughtful before she asked, “How’s he doing with his rehab?”

“I hear really well. He should be released to full duty soon, get back to his life,” Robert explained. Robert had continued to pull strings after Landon had arrived back in the States. He’d gotten him the best care money and connections could provide. From the latest reports, it seemed to be working well for Landon.

“You’re checking up on him?” Her brows lifted in question and a slight smirk curled the corners of her lips. Of course, she’d be leading him, trying to get him to whatever point she wanted to make. She did things like that all the time, making him say way more than he was comfortable confessing.

“Autumn, just stop. That ship’s sailed. Focus on this wedding you’re apparently having.” Luckily, for him, that instantly changed the subject.

“Ugh, Nonnie’s so frustrating. How can I get her to understand the word no?”

He laughed straight out loud. How many times had they had this very discussion over the course of their lives? The problem, Autumn and his grandmother were cut from the same cloth. Neither of them would ever back down. “You can’t. Besides, she needs this diversion. Just go with it.”

“So, what’re you doing now?” Autumn asked, then let out a nice long yawn. “Unemployment seems to suit you. Is medicine still out of the question?”

“Most likely, at least for now,” he said, lifting a hand to gain the waiter’s attention as he reached for his wallet. The waiter came to the table, and Robert handed him his credit card.

“Sir, the meal’s on us tonight.” The waiter lifted two hands as he stepped away, refusing his credit card. “Your family’s legendary here. Paulie’s picture still hangs proudly over the kitchen. He looks ready to yell at any given moment.”

“Oh, I’d love to see that,” Robert said, his grin broadening, remembering his rough and ready grandfather. Paulie had been that way with everyone except him and Autumn. His deep, thick accent always soothed as he spoke to him and his sister.

“Me too,” Autumn said as if they had been given an invitation.