Forever (Always & Forever 2)

Chapter 22

Autumn’s wedding

Their driver, Mr. Kinkaid, stopped in front of Kennedy Adams’s Cape Cod estate, and Robert smiled at Landon, who couldn’t seem to drag his attention away from the view out the side window. “Oh my God, one person lives here?”

“No, I think there’s about ten people if I remember correctly,” Robert said, opening his side door as Mr. Kinkaid went to the hatch for their luggage.

“I’m not dressed right,” Landon mumbled. Robert barely caught the words as he’d already exited the car and started for the back of the small SUV. He pivoted around and stuck his head back inside.

“You look perfect. I told you that. Please get out of the car, Landon.” Of course, Landon didn’t do as he’d asked. His guy was nervous. Landon turned back toward Robert. That weird uncertainty that he hadn’t seen for a few weeks was back on Landon’s face.

“I don’t think this was the right thing to wear.” He patted down the front of his shirt as if to emphasize his point.

“You made me pick your clothes out. We’re dressed the same. If I’m dressed appropriately, why wouldn’t you be dressed appropriately?” Robert could feel his own nerves starting to unravel and lifted his head to take a deep, centering breath before peering back inside the vehicle once again. “Babe, get out of the car.”

Robert shut his door with more force than necessary and rounded the rear of the vehicle. Mr. Kinkaid closed the hatch with their carry-on bags at his feet and garment bag in his hand.

“It’s a lot to take in.” Robert tried to explain Landon’s reluctance and received a courtesy nod in return.

“I’ll get these to the house,” Mr. Kincaid said.

“I’ve got them. You should go pick up Autumn. We would’ve been happy to wait so you didn’t have to make two trips,” Robert said, reaching for the garment bag. Landon finally opened his door, ending their conversation as Robert turned enough to watch him exit the vehicle. His lover stood motionless, staring up at the multi-story, sprawling mansion overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. Robert grabbed both his and Landon’s cases and hoisted them over his shoulder.

“Let me take them, sir.” Mr. Kincaid reached for the bags Robert had balanced over his shoulder.

“No, once he breaks out of this trance, he’ll want to carry his own bags. He’s a hardheaded one,” Robert said, waving the man to head around the vehicle.

“Hardheaded, you say? Seems like a perfect fit, sir.”

Robert froze in place, momentarily shocked at Mr. Kincaid’s comment—it was so rare that any of Kennedy’s long-term staff showed their personalities. Mr. Kincaid didn’t stick around for Robert’s reply, going straight for the driver’s side as Robert headed for Landon.

“You’re making me regret bringing you to the front of the house,” he teased Landon who remained motionless, standing like a statue in front of the walkway. Robert shook his head and walked toward the front door.

“I’m intimidated as hell,” Landon said from behind him several moments later, showing he had followed Robert up the front sidewalk. At the front doors, Robert glanced back at the anxious man. Landon nervously ran his palms down his button-down and exhaled a slow, steady breath.

“Stop freaking. You’ll make yourself upset. Nothing’s changed.”

Landon’s eyes flashed at him as he looked Robert up and down then reached for both bags hanging on his shoulder. “Everything’s changed—again.” The again was laced with accusation, and the flash of anger was Landon’s way of dealing with the uncertainty of his thoughts. Robert ignored both and opened the front door.

“Welcome to my grandmother’s home.”

Kennedy was already coming toward them from the back of the house.

“Nonnie.” He smiled as he called out her name.

He diverted from his plan to usher Landon in before him and stepped over the threshold, tossing his garment bag over a side chair and heading straight for his grandmother. Every time he saw her, she looked a little older. This time was no different, but she was strong and self-assured, her slow steps never faltering as she came toward him.

She allowed the hug but kept her head angled. Someone else had the bulk of her attention. Robert glanced over his shoulder too to see if Landon had followed him inside or if he still hovered on the front steps. Robert drew in a breath, marveling at the sight of Landon backlit by the bright sunlight emphasizing all his dark features. Landon’s chest expanded as he took a steadying breath. His hands came together as if trying to stop the fidgeting, and his eyes sparkled as he stared at Nonnie. He looked the epitome of respect as he waited for Robert to finish the hug. Landon was as gorgeous as Robert had ever seen him.

“You must be Landon.” There was kindness and warmth in his grandmother’s tone as she released Robert and stepped toward the door.