“My goodness, he is handsome, Robert. You’ve done very well,” Kennedy said, making Robert laugh again. A sudden blush of embarrassment colored Robert’s cheeks and warmed Landon’s heart.
“Thank you, Nonnie. I think he’s very handsome too.” Robert reached over for Landon who refused to hold hands in front of Mrs. Adams. He sat woodenly next to Robert, keeping several inches of space between them.
He didn’t know why he was doing it, and that didn’t matter in the least. He just knew Robert had to respect the boundaries, especially in front of Kennedy Adams.
“Have you invited him to the wedding? You have an unused plus one,” Mrs. Adams said, her voice becoming softer as she stared straight at Landon.
“I’ve mentioned it. He’s shy and is intimidated to meet the family. Although, I’m finding he talks to Autumn as much as he talks to me,” Robert answered, calling Landon out in front of his grandmother.
“That’s not true,” Landon whispered, trying hard to keep his face neutral. He also didn’t let himself dwell on the fact that his whisper had probably been loud enough to be heard on the mic, making him seem as clueless to Skype as Mrs. Adams.
“Nonsense. Of course, he’s coming. He’ll stay here with you.” She seemed to be directing Lauren in committing Landon to the wedding party. “I suppose with such a late hour in committing him, you two won’t mind sharing a room.”
“No, ma’am. That’s fine. I don’t want to put you out,” Landon answered quickly. Within two seconds, he realized he’d just agreed to share a bedroom with Robert at his grandmother’s home. His face instantly warmed with regret.
“Please put us in the same room, Nonnie. It’ll make it easier than having to sneak around your house trying to find him.” Robert elbowed him in the stomach as if that was a shared joke between the both of them. The minute this session ended, he would be making it clear there was no sharing anything, including a room in Mrs. Adams’s house.
“You know, with your fathers— When Avery first met Kane, it was the only time Avery was ever silent with me. Our long distance bills each month were astronomically high, then he went quiet. I should have known you’d be like your father. So, I’m guessing this is already serious?” she asked, looking as if she knew the answer.
“It is, Nonnie, but you’re embarrassing him,” Robert replied, lifting the pad of his thumb to smooth over Landon’s heated cheeks.
“Oh, son, don’t be embarrassed. Avery had proposed to Kane after just a week of dating, and I had only heard of the man hours before. I suspect the Adams men just know. I can’t see why Robert would be different. Have you proposed to him, Robert?” She looked at Robert expectantly.
Landon’s heart suddenly stuttered so violently he had to look down to see if it had fallen from his chest.
Robert busted out with a hearty laugh, straightening the computer in his lap, glancing over with a smile aimed directly at Landon. “I haven’t, Nonnie.”
“It’s just a matter of time.” She angled her head again, trying to see Landon, and thankfully, Robert didn’t accommodate her movements. “Landon, you come to the wedding. You two come early if you can. I want to get to know you, and if I wait for Robert to bring you, I might die of old age first.”
When Landon didn’t have to look at her, and he had the second to calm down, he decided she was purposefully goading him. She definitely had a sense of humor. Since her comment was directed to him, and he didn’t know how to respond, he gave his standard, “Yes, ma’am.”
“Look at those fine manners. He looks Italian. Paulie would like that, Robert,” Kennedy’s voice grew softer.
“Yes, I agree. He’d like him.” Robert nodded his confirmation to Landon who seemed to be mute with how quiet he’d grown.
“On a serious note, Landon. You’ve helped put a smile back on our Robert’s face. We all appreciate what you’ve done. I look forward to meeting you in person, young man. Robert, call Autumn for me.”
“I will. I love you.”
“I love you too. Now how do I turn this off?” she asked. Her assistant came back into view. She smiled at Robert and lifted a hand before the screen went blank. Robert closed the lid and placed the laptop on the coffee table before sitting back and casually taking Landon’s hand in his. This time he didn’t fight the hold.
“So, you’re going with me to the wedding?”
“If you want me to. I gotta make sure I can get the time off, but if you’d rather me not, I can use the lack of time off as my excuse not to go.”
“I want you to. I’ve just been putting on the brakes to all this emotion to help build time for us, keep from coming on too strong.” Robert lifted Landon’s hand to his lips. “I’m pretty sure I’m failing miserably, but I’m trying.”