Better than Sexy (The Sexy 3)

“Obviously he doesn’t think so.”

“Well, he hasn’t told his parents yet. And I’m guessing his partners are tolerating me for his sake. Look, I’m not trying to be stubborn. I am a living, breathing, walking reminder of Victor and, as a result, of Levi Bennett’s death.”

Ellie curled her legs beneath her on the sofa and frowned. “I don’t deny that his parents may not be overly accepting at first–”

“Or at all.” She twisted her fingers together until they hurt. The very thought of facing his parents’ grief-stricken faces… “Even after all this time, one look at me will bring their pain rushing back.”

Ellie’s expression softened. “You may be right. I just feel like you’re giving up too easily.”

“You want me to forget what my brother did?” she asked, horrified.

She shook her head. “I want you to remember you didn’t have any part of it. And admit you deserve to be happy. Wherever you find that happiness.”

Happiness. Deserving it was one thing, but finding it with the man whose heart was so big he was willing to see her and not her brother? How was that fair to anyone?

“Do you want to miss out on this chance with Landon?” Ellie eyed her with that all-knowing gaze.

“Of course that’s not what I want.” Settling into the opposite side of the sofa, Vivi curled into the corner and wondered if her friend had a point.

She wasn’t responsible for her brother’s crimes. She knew that. She just didn’t want to bring up bad memories for Landon and his family. But for the summer, should she reach for the man she desired? Give herself some wonderful memories of her own before she left for wherever she and Owen decided was best for her career?

“Well?” Ellie tossed a piece of popcorn at her.

Vivi picked up the popped kernel and slipped it into her her mouth. “I’ll think about it,” she promised, meaning it. Because she didn’t think she could stay away from him no matter how much she thought it was best for him.

* * *

Landon had a plan. But as he approached his parents’ house, his certainty that they’d ultimately come to accept and understand he had feelings for Victor Clark’s sister wavered. Shoring up his nerves, he parked his SUV and headed up the shrub-lined path leading to the front door, where his mom greeted him.

“Landon! I was so surprised when you asked if you could talk to us. You don’t need a reason to come home.” His mother embraced him and he hugged her back, inhaling the familiar scent that he associated with his childhood.

His mom was a creature of habit, and he supposed it was a good thing that the company still manufactured her favorite perfume. It also made her birthday and Christmas easier on him.

He stepped back, taking in his mom in her dark jeans and pink blouse, matching shoes on her feet. She looked younger than her years and … happy. Was he going to burst the bubble of sanity she’d finally managed to find? Was Vivi right about keeping them in the dark?

“Landon? Obviously something is bothering you?” his mother said, shutting the door behind him. “Come on. Let’s go into the kitchen. That’s always been our place.” Smiling at him, she turned and led the way into the sunny room with an eat-in breakfast nook.

He pulled out a chair and sat down, not surprised when his mom walked over with a plate of home-baked chocolate chip cookies and put them down in front of him. “Your favorite.”

“Levi’s, too,” he said, remembering how his brother would steal a few and take them into his room despite the no-eating-in-the-bedroom rule.

He picked one up and bit into it, unable to stop the moan that came from his throat. “God, they’re still warm.”

“You said you were coming for a visit. I baked.”

“I love you, Mom.” A lump formed in his throat, more because of his twin’s absence than the statement he’d just made. God, this was going to be so much harder than he’d thought.

Carrie settled into a chair beside him. “Is this about the woman you brought here?”

He looked up, surprised although he shouldn’t be. His mother always had a sixth sense when it came to her … boys. “Yeah, it is about Vivi.”

“Pretty name,” his mother said. “Beautiful woman.”

“Yes.” He ran a hand over the top of his head. “Umm, I think Dad should be here for this.”

She raised her eyebrows in surprise. “You’re not getting married, are you?” Her hand came to rest on her heart, maybe in hope, maybe in panic.

He couldn’t be sure, but he burst out laughing. “No, nothing like that.” But his gut said telling them about impending matrimony would be simpler than this.

“Samuel!” she called. “Landon’s here and wants to talk! He’d just gotten out of the shower when you arrived.”