Chapter Seven
LANDON HAD BEEN SO caught up in his work at the cider lab that he was now racing to get to Northern Exposure on time. At least he’d had a few minutes to spare so that he could go home and change into an outfit better suited for a night out in Moose Falls.
An actual date! He hadn’t gone out on one in years.
As embarrassing as it was to admit it even to himself, it was the unvarnished truth.
Years! It wasn’t as if he hadn’t wanted female companionship, but his career had been demanding.
Then he’d been in a state of depression after losing his job and being blackballed in the scientific community.
Dating had fallen by the wayside. Not to mention the fact that he had always felt a little uncomfortable in his own skin.
Finding connections had always been challenging for him.
He’d always envied the ease with which his brothers carried themselves.
Even at their lowest moments they’d been full of natural-born swagger.
Well, maybe this wasn’t really a date. Not in the truest sense of the word.
He was pretending to be dating someone and having dinner with that someone in order to get the parameters of their situation straight.
It was important that they were on the same page so that they could play this off.
He felt a sinking sensation in his gut, knowing this was all pretense. None of it would be genuine or real.
The realization made him feel sad. The truth was he would love to go out on a date with a woman like Bailey.
She was smart, funny, and incredibly beautiful.
He couldn’t see a downside in sight. And he had a serious crush on her that had started the moment she had approached him in the smoothie shop.
Was he being delusional to think that maybe this could turn into something real?
He really didn’t want to get his hopes up, because that was when he always got disappointed.
Bailey was a woman who could probably date anyone she wanted to.
She was only doing him a favor because of her love for Hattie.
Why would she settle for a science geek?
Stop the negative talk, a voice buzzed in his ear. He knew that this was part of his problem with women. He didn’t have the confidence to go after what he wanted, and he liked to beat himself up a little bit so that when it came time to pursue a relationship, the negative thoughts took over.
Just focus on being Bailey’s friend and setting up the rules of the fake-dating situation. From what you’ve seen, Bailey was fun and entertaining. He couldn’t imagine that they wouldn’t have anything to talk about tonight.
As he walked through the doors of Northern Exposure, he was greeted by a festive sight.
True and her staff had understood the assignment.
The establishment had a rustic charm that was now decorated with stunning pine wreaths hung along the walls, a fully decorated Christmas tree, and flameless white candles tied with red bows.
It wasn’t long before True spotted him. His sister-in-law was stunning in her own right.
With short black hair, tawny-colored skin, and hazel-brown eyes, True was beautiful.
What she lacked in stature, she made up for in personality.
She was a fierce and spirited woman, having raised her brother, Jaylen, since she was twenty-one after the death of their parents in a plane crash.
She had raised him with an abundance of love and a determination to make sure Jaylen thrived.
“Landon. I wasn’t expecting to see you tonight. What a nice surprise.” Her voice sounded warm and sincere. Landon loved the fact that his brother had chosen such a down-to-earth, hardworking woman as his bride. Northern Exposure was her baby, and she ran it like a boss. True was the real deal.
He leaned down and enveloped his sister-in-law in a tight hug. “Great to see you, True. I made last-minute dinner plans.”
She wiggled her eyebrows. “Were your ears just burning? Xavier and I were talking about you earlier. He told me about you and Bailey.” She slapped him on the shoulder as if he’d just scored a touchdown.
He rolled his eyes. “I figured. Both of my brothers love to flap their gums.”
True laughed. “That’s for sure. They gossip more than the old ladies at the hair salon.”
“Landon!” a voice cried out. Just then a pretty redhead came barreling toward him.
Bonnie, one of True’s best friends and a staff member at the tavern, greeted him effusively with a big bear hug. With a peaches-and-cream complexion and freckles, she had a girl-next-door quality. “You’re a sight for sore eyes,” she told him. “I haven’t seen you for a minute.”
“Hey, Bonnie,” Landon said. “How’s it going?”
“I can’t complain,” she said, shifting from one foot to the other. “Well, I could, but no one but Tucker would really care,” she said, referencing her husband, who also worked at Yukon Cider. The two had recently made things official with an elopement.
In an exaggerated gesture, Bonnie looked all around him as if searching for someone. “Are you here by yourself?” she asked. “You didn’t bring anyone special along with you tonight?”
True nudged her in the side and looked at her in disbelief. “Bonnie, you’re about as subtle as a sledgehammer over the head.”
Landon let out a groan. “You told her too?” Of course she had. True and Bonnie were joined at the hip.
True shrugged, looking sheepish. “I needed someone to share the news with. Girl talk.”
And he would wager that Caleb hadn’t wasted any time telling Sophia. The news was spreading fast. He and Bailey were in far too deep to back out now. Gossip flew on the wind in Moose Falls.
“Don’t look now, but your date just walked in.
” True was grinning from ear to ear and looking past him to a point in the distance.
Unable to resist looking, Landon turned his head to see Bailey walking toward him.
Clearly she hadn’t gotten the memo that this wasn’t a date, either, because she looked extremely date-worthy.
She had pulled her long, curly hair up in a high ponytail, and she had a pretty pink shade on her lips.
She was wearing a long red coat with a cream-colored sweater peeking out.
Gold hoop earrings dotted her ears. She looked amazing.
“Hey, Bailey,” he said as she reached his side.
“Hey, you,” she said, sounding flirty. She looked up at him, all smiles, and she leaned in and brushed a kiss across his lips.
Although he felt stunned by the kiss, he knew exactly what was going on.
She was putting on a show for Bonnie and True.
And for whoever else might be looking. Even though he knew exactly what her motive was, he couldn’t help but wish that this was real.
Even though the kiss was fleeting, it had sent shock waves through him.
Her lips tasted like spun sugar, and the heady smell of flowers surrounded her.
He hoped no one noticed that he swayed a little bit on his feet as the kiss ended.
Bailey had literally thrown him off-kilter.
“I did not have this on my Moose Falls bingo card,” True said. “But it makes so much sense. It’s perfect.”
“Y’all look amazing together,” Bonnie gushed. The two women looked on approvingly as if they had matched them up themselves. They were both about to burst.
“Hey, ladies,” Bailey said. “I’m glad you approve.” Bailey’s air was easy and natural. She was handling the situation like a pro. He hoped he wasn’t giving off any red flags.
“Two thumbs up,” True said, holding her thumbs in the air.
“Why don’t I show you to your table?” Bonnie suggested. “So the two of you can settle into a romantic dinner.” Landon looked around the tavern. Thankfully it wasn’t too packed tonight.
“I’m going to send over some champagne on the house along with our new signature appetizers. Any allergies?” True asked.
“I’m all good,” Bailey said. “No allergies.”
“None here. Thanks, True,” Landon said.
Bonnie motioned them toward her and began to lead them into the main dining room.
The tavern had an intimate vibe with low lighting and a roaring fireplace that made the room cozy.
Bonnie seated them at a table that was far away from the others.
He had the feeling she was trying to set a romantic mood for them, and he appreciated it, even though this wasn’t about romance, but for all intents and purposes, he was going to lean in to the pretense.
He held out Bailey’s chair for her, and she sat down before he gently pushed it in to the table. When he sat down across from her, he thought he spotted a nervous expression on her face.
“Are you okay?” he asked. “I know this is a little nerve-racking. Maybe I should have picked another spot.”
She met his eyes. “I’m fine. I think I’m just realizing how little we know about each other. We’re going to have to make this look organic, as if we’re just building a connection.”
“Well, if nothing else, maybe that can change a little bit this evening. I like long walks on the beach and candlelight dinners.” Landon couldn’t keep a straight face as he recited the cliché line.
Bailey grinned in response, and suddenly the tension eased up a bit. “I kind of figured you did.”
“Before I forget, Hattie is hosting a holiday party at her home, and she’s requesting your presence. It’s sort of like an open house. She wants to make the most of this Christmas.”
He couldn’t bear to say the words out loud. Her last Christmas, barring a miracle.
“She always did love Christmas. I remember one year she held a gingerbread house–making contest at her home. All the kids had a blast.”