Forever (Always & Forever 2)

“Then we’ll reconvene this conversation in a month.” Surely no longer than a month would go by before Robert realized he’d made a mistake and none of this would even matter anymore, except for the lifelong pain Landon would have to endure from losing such a tremendous and fine man. A man he wanted more than anything to be worthy of. His heart was breaking, but he smiled at Robert anyway.

“If that’s what you need,” Robert said indulgently, a wicked grin tugging at the corners of his mouth.

Landon shook his head as if that might clear the painful tumble his heart just took. Robert’s unspoken suggestion was clear. Landon moved enough to entwine their fingers. Nothing else needed to be said about this tonight, and if he could find a way to hold his tongue, they wouldn’t ever have to speak of it again.

“Now that we’ve had our first fight, I think a bout of makeup sex is in order.”

Landon was on board. He committed to doing anything he could for Robert. He’d make as many memories as possible. Landon pivoted on his heels and pulled Robert along with him up the stairs, eager to get on with the makeup part.

Chapter 19

Another week later

“I think I’m gaining weight.” Landon sighed, patting his belly as he left the kitchen, going in the direction of the living room.

“I’ve never really cooked for anyone before. I might be going overboard, but I’m glad you like it,” Robert said, hand drying the last dish, watching Landon walk the length of the living room toward the television. Four days ago, they had started watching HBO’s Game of Thrones in lieu of going out. It didn’t matter that it was already past midnight. The night was young for someone who worked second shift and for Robert who was still happily unemployed.

Robert placed the clean plate inside its cabinet and tossed the hand towel on the counter. It had been two solid weeks since his and Landon’s first real date, and they were already so in sync with one another. Robert spent an extraordinary amount of time preparing their meals, cooking gourmet dishes every night while waiting for Landon to arrive home from base.

Since Landon worked three to eleven, when he got home, they had dinner together, many nights under the soft glow of candlelight. Robert had a big need to romance Landon, and apparently, he had a newfound knack for creating ambience. He strode past the carefully placed fresh flowers—arrangements he’d started purchasing since meeting Landon. He fiddled until he found the perfect position for each lamp shade to add just enough light to the room to see Landon’s pouty lips when he needed a kiss, but not enough to do something like work a puzzle. He had even lit small candles and strategically placed them around the open living room. His beloved feathers—the one’s he’d carefully collected since that first one landed on his desk, sending him to Germany—were in a vase positioned in the center of the coffee table, a reminder of a force bigger than either of them that had led him to Landon and now connected the two of them.

Okay, yeah, when he thought of it like that, it did seem a bit much, but his heart was full, his mind happy, and his new direction in life solidifying.

Some things had changed for Robert. Since he’d prepared their food, Landon insisted on doing the dishes. Washing dishes was Robert’s least favorite household chore, but helped Landon, just to be close to the man until they made their way to the living room to relax. They stayed huddled there until the wee morning hours. Most of their time was spent snuggling together and making out like teenagers until it was time to go upstairs.

“It’s hard to believe you don’t have any formal training,” Landon added distractedly as he aimed the remote toward the television and clicked it on.

“About that,” Robert said offhandedly, turning off the lights to the kitchen, walking toward Landon who went for the wine bottle chilling at the wet bar—another one of those preparation deals that Robert seemed to love doing. His guy expertly opened the bottle and poured two glasses while Robert took a seat in the middle of the sofa.

Landon’s dark gaze came back to him. “About what?”

“I can’t decide if I’ve lost my mind or if I’m a man who’s now on a different course in his life,” he confessed, taking the glass Landon offered before taking the seat right beside him.

“I told you a week ago, and I’m pretty sure every day since, you’ve absolutely lost your mind. I watched a television show once where the person was doing things out of character. It turned out he had a brain tumor. I was thinking dating me might mean you have a brain tumor,” Landon said cheekily, waggling his brows as he took a drink from his wineglass then bent forward to place it on the coffee table. His guy moved in closer as Robert turned, angling his body in such a way he could better see Landon’s face. Robert draped his arm across the back of the sofa and around Landon’s shoulders.