Tied to him.
Now that he knew he’d be seeing her often, he could definitely make his play. She interested him in a way no woman ever had, and he knew better than to ignore such a strong attraction when he’d never thought fate would give him the same happiness his friends had found.
Since losing his twin, it was as if a part of him was missing, and he understood he’d never replace or fill that hole in both his heart and his soul. But he wouldn’t mind discovering some form of that happiness in his personal life.
They had three weeks before the summer, which didn’t give her much time to pull an act together for her performance. If it hadn’t been for Vic taking up the bulk of his time and concentration, he would have put this into motion sooner … but then maybe he wouldn’t have seen the video of Vivi. Everything worked out for the best or so he believed.
He tossed the damp rag into a bin behind the bar, wondering when Vivi would come by and check out her new digs.
“Uncle Landon!” His ten-year-old nephew ran around the bar and barreled into Landon, wrapping his scrawny arms around his waist.
“Hey, buddy!” he said to LJ, named after Landon’s twin, Levi.
Amber Davis, the woman he assumed would have been his sister-in-law had Levi lived and the mother of his nephew, leaned against the bar and grinned. “Surprise!”
“Amber, what brings you to the city?” he asked.
A sheepish expression etched her features. “As you know, LJ and I are staying with your parents in Connecticut until we can move into our new house, and since he’s going to be traveling with them while I get settled, I thought I’d familiarize him with Manhattan.”
He shook his head. “Worried mom, hmm? He’s going to be fine with my folks. I promise. And you will get a head start on your new life.”
He and his partners, Amber’s good friends and LJ’s pseudo uncles, had finally convinced Amber to let them buy her a house near Landon’s parents, in Connecticut. She planned to go back to school to get her degree in education, having dropped out ten years ago during her freshman year after finding out she was pregnant. After Levi had died.
She grinned. “Thanks to you and the guys.”
She glanced at her son. “So this is Uncle Landon’s club. You won’t be here when it’s busy at night, but I’m sure you’ll spend some time here with Uncle Jason and Uncle Tanner, too.”
His eyes lit up at the mention of his uncles. “Are they here?” he asked.
Landon nodded. “Up in the office. Why don’t you take the elevator.” He gestured to the elevator across the way that opened directly into the offices upstairs. “Hit two and it goes right to the floor.”
“Cool! Then can we go to that place you promised, Mom? With frozen hot chocolate?”
She nodded. “Serendipity. Sure, honey.” He and Amber watched him run to the elevator and hit the button. As soon as he was in the enclosed space and the door shut, they faced each other.
“You’re worried about him missing you this summer?” Landon assumed that was what was on Amber’s mind.
She sighed. “I’m more worried about me missing him. I thought if I got a sense for where he’d be, I’d feel better.” She gestured to a low table and chairs, and he followed her over, pulling out her seat.
After she settled, he lowered himself into his chair. “Look, for a long time, it’s just been you and LJ, and your parents in Florida. It’s going to take time to adjust to a life where he travels to visit relatives.” He reached out and placed his hand over hers. “It’s going to be great. I can’t wait to drive up and play ball with him this summer. And maybe we can convince you to have a barbeque for all of us.” He winked at her. “Relax, okay?”
She blew out a shaky breath. “I agree or I wouldn’t have left the Sunshine State and come here to start over. I want him to be closer to Levi’s family. To you.”
He grinned. He appreciated his friendly relationship with Amber. Despite the fact that he looked exactly like his twin, there had never been any sexual vibes between them, and for that he was grateful. She was family, pure and simple.
“How about joining us for some frozen hot chocolate?” she asked.
“I could be persuaded.” He didn’t have a sweet tooth but knew it would mean a lot to her, plus he’d be able to spend more time with LJ.
“Great!” She rose and pulled him up and into a hug. “I don’t know what I would have done without the three of you all these years. And your parents.” His mom and dad had accepted Amber and LJ from the moment she told them she was pregnant with Levi’s baby.