Robert replied right as Landon sent his second message, prompting Landon to ease his concerns again.
You didn’t at all. I really appreciate what you’ve done.
And he did, very much. Even right now, Dr. Adams had a way of easing his natural state of anxiety.
What time should I meet you for dinner?
He waited, his fingers drumming on the edge of the laptop, willing the reply to be there a little faster.
How about six? We can meet out front of Farmers Fishers Bakers. There’s lots to see. It’s right off the Potomac. You may have already been there. Like I said, it’s a few blocks from the townhome, but close enough to walk.
He had and nodded.
Six o’clock Monday.
He stared at the screen waiting for the final confirmation.
Great. I’ll see you then. Message me if anything changes. We can always reschedule.
Yeah right, he’d risk going AWOL not to miss this dinner. His heart was happy. Sincerely happy.
I’ll be there. See you then.
Landon closed the screen and placed the small laptop on the bed beside him, grinning at the television mounted to the wall. His spiraling downward mood had lifted in an instant. They were back to being friendly, and this road might lead them to a solid friendship. He wasn’t in the doctor’s league and never would be, but he had a thing for the man—a big hard thing, based on the erection sticking up, begging for his attention.
“Stop overthinking,” he told himself. The cast restraining his arm was turning into a big pain in the ass. He’d have to go short-sleeved. He needed clothes and a haircut. He needed a professional shave, maybe a tan, his olive skin was looking pale from being indoors so much. He’d figure it out.
Chapter 12
After three hours spent inside the men’s department at Barney’s and countless number of complete outfit changes, Robert stared at himself in the full-length mirror. He squinted at his reflection. Full-on critical mode had taken over as he assessed every single inch of the tight-fitting slacks and knit top the saleswoman insisted accented his body structure. He scanned all the way down to the casual loafers she’d chosen.
“I’m not in tune to the current trends. Are you sure this isn’t too casual?”
“You look incredibly handsome. It’s the perfect style for you,” his personal shopper and longtime friend, Krista, said from directly behind him.
“And you can take in the seam through here?” He ran a finger down the side of the shirt. He didn’t necessarily want the shirt to fit like a glove, because he wanted to move comfortably. He wished he could talk to the tailor himself. No, he wished he would have thought of the possibility of their date sooner, then he could have better prepared.
Robert lifted his gaze to the mirror again. He guessed this was as good as he could get and finally nodded his approval.
He had scheduled a hair appointment, deciding on some subtle highlights to help bring the summer blond out in his hair, and he needed a full manscape. He’d gone without any real grooming since his father had died. His heart twisted, but he stopped the thought right there. Not today. No negativity today. It was hard because whatever this was with Landon, it had him confused and all mixed up. He wished he could talk to his parents about his feelings. He’d always trusted their advice. What he wouldn’t give to have had more time. Damn, he missed them.
Robert tugged his lip between his teeth, worrying the soft flesh. Maybe he should go back to the light blue Hawaiian shirt style. It implied easygoing, and he wanted Landon to see that side of him.
He scanned the clothes again. About halfway down, something caught his attention. A small, almost unnoticeable, feather danced as if suspended in air by unseen hands before slowly floating gracefully down to the floor. Robert bent, picking it up. If there had been any lingering doubt about his clothing choice, it ended in that moment. He shook his head at the absurdity, but it didn’t change the outcome. He was doing the right thing, and this was the outfit his parents wanted him to wear. Maybe. It was hard to know if he was going crazy or if he should keep following what he could only explain as his designated sign.
“Robert, is this a go? The tailor’s waiting.”
The words pulled him from his thoughts. He went back into his dressing room. “We got our yes. I’ll hand them over the door.”
He carefully laid the feather on the blue jeans he’d worn into the store. He was collecting the feathers he had found, saving them. If anyone found out, they’d think he had lost his mind, but for some reason, it gave him comfort to believe in such a simple notion.
“Great. You’ll look great for your date.”