Close to You (Fusion 2)

Suddenly she stops pacing, links her fingers nervously together, and sighs. “Landon, I wanted to thank you for coming home when Mom and Daddy died.”

I stare at her for a moment, then shake my head, shove my hands in my pockets, and shuffle my feet. “You don’t have to thank me for that.”

“Yeah, I do.” She nods. “It was a weird time, and having you here was . . . well, comforting.”

“I’m glad. How are you?”

“Better,” she says, and smiles. “A lot has happened in the few years since then.”

It’s been a few years? I had no idea. Time sure goes fast.

“The restaurant keeps all of us busy.” She takes a deep breath and looks around the empty space. “Speaking of, I think a row of booths, like the existing ones we have, would be beautiful over here,” she says, gesturing to the far wall. She continues to share her vision, her eyes shining with excitement.

She’s professional and animated, and I can’t look away from her. I never could. The dimple in her cheek winks when she grins, talking about the need for a larger storage space in the back. Her hair is up in a simple ponytail, and she’s in jeans, sneakers, and a sweatshirt.

She still looks sixteen.

But when she turns, and her sweatshirt molds against her body, she’s anything but a kid. She's all woman.

Beautiful, stunning, amazing woman.

“Seriously, you’re not paying attention to me,” she grumbles.

“Oh, I’m paying attention,” I reply. Maybe not the way she wants, but I’m paying attention. “How are you and the cat getting along?”

She frowns. “He’s taken over my house.”

“He likes you. You’re a likable girl.” I shrug and watch as her frown deepens, then she shakes her head.

“We’re talking about work.”

“I think, for the first meeting, we did good,” I reply, and glance about the room. “What used to be in here?”

“A toy store,” she replies. “I guess most people buy stuff online these days.”

“I think I can raise the ceiling in here,” I say, studying the drop ceiling. “I can make it match your existing ceiling, open it up a bit.”

“Good. I don’t know why they made it lower.”

“Probably to save on heating costs.”

“Raising it will be much better.” She’s nodding, hands on hips, slowly sauntering around. “Can we match the floors too?”

“That shouldn’t be a problem.”

“Awesome.” She pauses, smiles, and claps her hands. “I’m so excited!”

“Even if I’m your contractor?” I ask, and reach out to tug on her hair, but she ducks out of my way.

“I guess I can deal with you.”

“You like me.” The crush she’s had on me since we were kids has never been a secret. I managed to keep mine hidden, but Cami never did.

“You’re okay.” She shrugs and chuckles, and for the first time that I can remember, she’s not looking at me with that sparkle in her eyes, and I’m not sure what to do about that. Or if I even should do anything about that.

But I fucking miss it.

“I think I have everything I need.”

“Great.” She walks past me, but stumbles forward, and I catch her, wrapping an arm around her waist and pulling her against me.

“Hey, easy,” I murmur, my face just inches from hers, and for just a brief moment, that sparkle is back in her eyes, making my gut clench. She’s not nearly as immune to me as she’d like to believe. “I’ve got you.”

“This is what I get for wearing sneakers,” she grumbles as her little hands clench my jacket and she manages to get her feet under her.

“You don’t usually wear shoes?”

“Not sneakers,” she mumbles, and tries to pull away, but I tighten my arm and take a moment to enjoy the sweet way she fits against me. She smells good.

She feels fucking perfect.

For the first time in months, I actually feel alive.

“I have this, Landon,” she says, but I don’t let go. Not quite yet.

“You always have it,” I reply softly, but when she just stares at me like I’ve lost my mind, the spark leaving her gaze, I set her away from me and move back, immediately missing her warmth. “Watch where you step.”

“Yes, sir,” she says primly, salutes—with the wrong hand—and walks ahead of me out the door and back to the restaurant. Her ass sways as she struts away, making me grin.

“Did you figure it all out?” Riley asks as we walk inside.

“I think we got a good start,” I reply with a wink. “We’ll make it beautiful, and you’ll never be able to tell that it wasn’t part of the original design all along.”

“That’s what we want to hear,” Riley says.

“Have a good day, Landon,” Cami says with a wave, and walks into her office, then firmly closes the door.

“Did I do something to irritate her?” I ask.

“Not that she mentioned,” Riley says. “Maybe she’s hormonal.”

“And that’s my cue to leave,” I reply with a fake cringe. “Tell Mia I’ll talk to her later.”

“Have a good day!” Riley says with a smile and a wave.

I walk out to my car, and rather than measurements and supplies running through my mind, I have Cami and her slender curves and fresh scent front and center.

I need an hour in the gym to clear my head.