Better than Sexy (The Sexy 3)

Ellie squeezed her hand. “Listen to me. You fell for the one guy that isn’t easy. You’re both going to have to work at it to have a relationship. The question is, is it worth fighting for?”

Vivi didn’t hesitate, nodding immediately. “God, yes. None of this feels as exciting as it could if he was in my life.” And he wanted to be there. She was the one pushing him away.

Suddenly she knew what she had to do. The very thought made her want to vomit, but like Ellie said, she had to fight for the life she desired. “I have to go somewhere. Can you catch a cab or an Uber back home?”

Ellie nodded. “Go get your man.”

That wasn’t exactly what Vivi had in mind. There was something else she needed to handle first.

* * *

Landon sat on his parents’ back patio, the sun beating down overhead, both his mom and dad staring at him from the double porch swing while Landon sat on a chair across from them. Silence sounded as loud as any band could have considering the bomb he’d dropped not long after arriving.

“Mom, Dad, I love you both. I know you lost Levi, and I don’t want to cause you any more pain, but I love Vivi and I’m going to be with her. If you want me to be part of your lives, holidays, birthdays, Sunday dinners, you’re going to have to come to terms with our relationship.”

His mother blinked back tears, but Landon saw the understanding in her expression. His father? Not so much.

“Do you realize that she’s grieving?” Landon asked them. “She didn’t like her brother. She didn’t have a relationship with him as adults, but she lost a sibling just like I did. And guess what? I left her alone after it happened. I didn’t even take her to the car to go see her mother. I just stood there while she walked out.”

“Landon!” His mother sounded horrified.

Good. Because he hadn’t forgiven himself for that yet. “Don’t you see? She’s not her brother. I want you to get to know her and judge her for who she is. Not who she’s related to.”

His mother nodded slowly. “I … I can do that. Because I love you, Landon, and I just want you to be happy. And part of my life.” She turned to her husband. “Samuel?”

His father, who had always been a kind, understanding man, rose and folded his arms across his chest, the years of pain, of loss etched in the lines on his face.

Suddenly the doorbell rang, the chimes sounding outside, where they’d installed them so they’d hear if someone came by when they were out by the pool.

“Are you expecting anyone?” his father asked.

His mother shook her head.

“I’ll get it,” he muttered, taking the excuse to walk out without answering or dealing with the question at hand.

With a sigh, she looked at Landon. “He’ll come around. You just have to understand how difficult this all is.”

“I do, Mom. Trust me. And so does Vivi. She’s the one who doesn’t want us to be together because it hurts both of you. She’s a good person.”

When his father didn’t return right away, Landon glanced inside. “Who could it be? If it was a delivery, he’d have been back out here by now.”

“Come. Let’s go inside and see. I’ll talk to him for you, honey.”

He wrapped his arm around his mother’s shoulder and kissed her cheek. “Thanks. Love you, Mom.”

“I love you, too, sweetheart.”

Together they headed inside only to find Landon’s father standing with Vivi in the entryway of the house. Landon’s heart slammed inside his chest as he took in his father’s hard expression and Vivi’s pale face.

“Vivi?” Landon strode over and met her gaze. “What are you doing here?”

She gave him a tremulous smile. “I thought it would be a good idea if I talked to your parents.” She bit down on her lower lip, obviously nervous.

Too bad that little gesture had him wanting to nibble on the fleshy pout, too.

“Hello, Vivi. I think new introductions are in order, yes? I’m Carrie and you’re welcome in my home.” His mother put out a hand and touched Vivi’s.

Landon let out a relieved sigh but he wasn’t truly breathing. Not until his father came around.

“Samuel?” Carrie nudged him with her elbow but Vivi shook her head.

“Please don’t force him. I just came today to tell you that I’m very sorry for what my brother did to your son.” She drew a heavy sigh. “Vic was a very disturbed boy and man. I didn’t have a relationship with him. Neither did my mother. He was just too far gone to help, and my mother couldn’t live with the things he’d done.”

Vivi’s trembling voice put a stranglehold on Landon’s heart.

“I realize that I’m a reminder of everything,” she went on. “But I want you to know…” Her gaze fell on Landon. “I love your son. I love him enough to walk away so you don’t lose another child by forcing him to give you an ultimatum.”