Forever (Always & Forever 2)

“I’ve been waiting in your apartment for a half hour.”

Time had completely gotten away from him, and he was sorry about that, but he looked around Autumn in search of Kylie. Not a day had passed since her birth that he hadn’t seen his niece. Yes, only through video, making this brief stop in Minnesota that much more special so he could spend time with her before they left for Fiji, their official honeymoon destination.

“Where’s Kylie?”

“That’s what you have to say? We agreed on one o’clock.” She looked at the imaginary watch on her wrist with her index finger hitting the skin there. “It’s one thirty. I’m on a schedule to feed Kylie, and you’re wrecking it.” The disgruntled attitude she gave him dissolved as she looked over at Landon with a warm, loving smile. “Your tan’s really amazing. I wish I had your complexion. I’m jealous.”

Landon was off the seat, grabbing his towel and the small cooler of beer they had brought out while slipping on his sandals. Robert guessed they were done. Regret filled his heart. This afternoon and evening were filled with prearranged engagements. Their quiet time was done until they left tomorrow morning.

“Italian genes. My skin tone gets to a certain point then kind of stops tanning. I’m sorry we made you late. I wasn’t watching the time.” Landon and Autumn started for the doors, leaving him there. He was glad they had become fast friends. Autumn had been tearfully excited yesterday, calling Landon her brother—the brother she had chosen, not the one forced on her. But Robert had become massively territorial over Landon’s attention, something made next-level worse after their wedding ceremony yesterday. His resentment of her interruption had him using force while grabbing his sunscreen, towel, and sandals before stalking after them barefoot.

When he saw them inside the elevator, chatting happily, the only thing that saved Autumn from getting a talking to about disrupting him on his honeymoon was Landon’s hand holding the elevator doors. Robert had to remind himself the whole reason he was in Minnesota in the first place had to do with the effort Autumn had put into making sure Landon had access to all his assets. In Robert’s grand scheme, he’d decided Autumn might be a better spokesperson to explain the wealth Robert had accumulated in his life.

“I’m polling with an eight percent lead. That seems positive. The man I’m running against is the incumbent, but he’s had just enough controversy that they think I have a chance,” Autumn said. Luckily the arm holding the door slid around Robert as if he were being claimed. He liked that move. It seemed automatic, and public displays hadn’t always been easy for Landon.

Robert reached over, punching in the quick access code to his floor as Landon said, “We’ve been watching your debates. You’re a natural up there. I’d vote for you. Can I vote for you if we claim a home base here? I can change my driver’s license.”

Landon looked sincere, his gaze going between Robert and Autumn, who just shook her head, grinned, and looked at Robert. “I like him a lot. You got a good one.”

“No argument there.”

Landon looked a little lost at the compliment, because he’d been very genuine in his suggestion, which made Robert that much prouder. Luckily though, the doors slid open to his apartment, keeping Autumn from regaling them about voter laws.

“I’ll go grab you a T-shirt. You and Autumn start.” He looked pointedly at Autumn. “Don’t linger over an explanation. Just get his signature where you need them. End with the name change. I’ll be right back.”

“You’re talking like I’m not standing right here,” Landon said gruffly, causing Autumn to laugh as she nodded at Robert.

“Landon, come this way. He’s already signed his legal name change. He told me you two agreed to hyphenate your last names with Adams coming last, is that true?” Giving Landon a choice on the front end, with something already long agreed upon, was brilliant of his sister. Maybe he should just let her handle Landon. They were behind schedule, and he needed a shower. He chuckled as he abandoned his mister when he knew they were certain to argue over everything Landon learned in the next ten or fifteen minutes.

“It’s a beautiful view. I bet you loved growing up here,” Landon said, coming to a stop at the window in his fathers’ bedroom at their childhood home in Stillwater. Robert came in behind him, placing both hands on Landon’s waist as he stared out at a view he’d seen over and over again throughout all his life.

“It’s different than before.” Which was true about so many things. The Library Association had preserved large portions of the house in its original state. Only the living room and adjoining dining room had changed, now highlighting his dad’s accomplishments throughout his life with a maze of moveable walls. A small souvenir shop had been placed in the office right off the main front doors. The part of the house that hadn’t been open to tourists had been his and Autumn’s childhood bedrooms. Those had been closed off, used now for storage. Robert had made that decision, feeling very much like having his private space memorialized bordered on a breach of privacy.