I Don't Mix Business with Pleasure

𝓒𝓱𝓪𝓹𝓽𝓮𝓻 𝓢𝓲𝔁𝓽𝓮𝓮𝓷

                                                                                    𝓕𝓵𝓸𝓻𝓮𝓷𝓬𝓮

"So, are you nervous to meet my family?" I ask as we just picked up our rental car. Landon insisted on renting one. He didn't want to put pressure on my grieving family to have to pick us up, even though I know they wouldn't mind one bit.

"Honestly?" he asks, looking over at me. For some reason, yes." He laughs nervously.

"But why? And what's so funny?" his laugh is contagious, causing me to giggle with him. It's wild how, in a time like this, I can find happiness in something- in him. Even if it's just a tiny bit, it's something.

"Hm, it might have something to do with me liking you. I'm not entirely sure, though. " His voice is barely audible but sarcastic.

I grin to myself and look out the window. Seeing my hometown's familiarity makes me anxious, and my smile drops. I'm reminded of my dad all over again, but I have to expose myself to be able to live and move on properly. He's not coming back. Having Landon offer to come along with me brings me a sense of calm.

"It's the house right there. Just park here across the street." I feel nervousness setting in even worse than before.

The cute yellow house that I grew up in. I can see the memories play out in front of me—my brothers and I running around the front yard through the sprinklers as kids. I watched out the front window, and my dad played catch with August.

I suddenly wish I'd told my family, at least my brothers, we were coming. Their cars are still in the driveway. It's good to know they haven't left our mom yet. August needs to head home soon to get back to his pregnant wife. She must miss him. From what I remember, though, she's always been very understanding. I don't blame her for not coming. That's too much stress for someone pregnant.

"Let's get this over with. Let's grab our bags."

"Are you okay? What's wrong?" he asks, studying my expression.

"I'm just nervous. Can we walk up now?" I ask, placing my palm over my heart. I feel bad for not telling my mom we were coming. I don't want her to be upset and think I quit my job. She's also weird about how her house looks when guests come over, which I never thought about until now.

"Wait, talk to me." he stops me as I try to get out of the car, gripping his hand around my wrist.

"Landon, I promise I'm fine. I'm just nervous, is all."

I still can't get used to this side of him that is concerned for my feelings- the side of him that seems to care. I wish I hadn't come off so aggravated when he tried to get me to open up to him. I'm still weary because of the side of him he decided to show me when we first met. It's hard for me to put my guard down entirely. It's going to take some time.

"Come on, then. " He gets out of the car, comes to my side, and opens the passenger door for me before I can do it myself. Thankfully, unlike Hudson and their dad, he doesn't push.

"You didn't have to," I start before he cuts me short.

"Florence, just let me redeem myself." he grins at me.

We both grab our luggage, and he confidently crosses the street. I follow him, picking up speed to get ahead and reach the door first. I close my hand into a fist, motioning to knock. My heart catches in my throat as I hesitate. I secretly hoped they'd seen us out front and would make it outside before I could.

"You want me to do it?" Landon chimes in.

"Oh- no, that's okay. I've got it." I stutter, closing my eyes.