Chapter 20 #2
Stepping through the open gate, she took in the backyard—twinkling lights draped between towering trees, the scent of fresh herbs and warm food wafting from a long table stacked with appetizers.
Metal washtubs filled with bottles of drinks were scattered around, and a circular table covered in a cloth with a grape motif held an impressive lineup of wines.
Her gaze landed on Joe, who was in deep conversation with a couple she didn’t recognize. He spotted her and Peter, and his grin turned teasing as he approached.
“When I said you could bring a friend…” Joe tilted his head toward Peter. “I never expected it’d be this guy.”
“We-we’re not together,” Landry blurted, suddenly hyperaware of Peter standing very close beside her.
Joe’s eyes twinkled with mischief. “My mistake. I should’ve known you’d have better taste.”
“Hey,” Peter protested, giving Joe a playful shove with his shoulder.
“The truth can hurt,” Joe said, laughing, then turned his attention back to Landry. “Grab a drink, make yourself at home. Daniel hasn’t arrived yet, but I’ll introduce you as soon as he does.”
Peter’s brow lifted. “Daniel?”
“Daniel Grace.” Landry felt a small thrill of excitement. “Joe said Daniel likes to meet young writers.”
Peter nodded, then gave her a thoughtful look. “Since you came alone, I take it you and your boyfriend haven’t reconciled?”
“That’s not happening.” She shook her head, the certainty in her voice firm. “Chad and I weren’t a good fit. He loved the version of me that fit neatly into his world, a version that required me to shrink my dreams to make room for his.”
The words came out in a rush, more honest than she’d planned, and she immediately clamped her mouth shut. He asked a simple question, Landry. Not for your life story.
But Peter didn’t look put off. In fact, something flickered across his expression—something understanding.
“It’s not easy to let go of the familiar,” he said quietly.
“No,” she admitted, holding his gaze. “But I’m happy I did.”
Sophie appeared at her side, beaming. “Landry! You came.”
To Landry’s surprise, Sophie pulled her in for a quick hug before stepping back.
“I appreciate the invitation.” She glanced around the yard before gesturing toward the house. “Your home is beautiful.”
Sophie’s eyes softened. “It’s been in Joe’s family for over a century. It’s always felt like home to me.”
“If the inside is anything like the outside, it has to be spectacular.”
Sophie grinned. “Would you and Peter like to see the inside?”
Before she could protest that they weren’t together, Peter gently squeezed her arm. “I see a couple of colleagues over there. I’ll catch up with you later.”
And just like that, he walked into the crowd, leaving her a little breathless.
Landry refocused on Sophie, realizing she was still holding the wine. “Here, this is for you.”
Sophie looked at the label, her smile widening. “Oh, I love mulled wine. I make an incredible charcuterie board—this will pair perfectly.”
Landry nodded, but her gaze drifted to where Peter talked to a group of what Chad would have called professor types. Even in chinos and a polo, Peter looked… Well, he looked ridiculously good.
Sophie followed her gaze, and her lips curved. “He’s an attractive man.”
Landry turned back, caught. “No argument here.”
“Would you like to join him, or…”
“If the house tour is still on the table…”
Sophie’s knowing smile didn’t falter. “It is.”
Inside, the house was even more breathtaking. The kitchen alone made Landry’s heart sigh—warm wood tones, vintage-inspired appliances and a gas stove that looked like something out of another era.
“It looks old, yet somehow new,” Landry observed.
“We updated the kitchen but wanted everything to look vintage,” Sophie explained. “Not so different from how it looked in 1907.”
“You seem to know a lot about the home’s early years.”
Sophie smiled as they stepped into the parlor. “This home and the gramophone over by the window once belonged to Josiah Huston. Joe is a direct descendant of Josiah’s.”
“That’s cool.”
The rest of the house was just as stunning—shiny hardwood floors, a grand staircase, a bathroom with hexagon tiles and a claw-foot tub.
“The third floor is storage, so there is not much to see there,” Sophie informed her once they’d entered the last bedroom.
“Thank you for taking the time to show me around.” Landry smiled. “I’ve never been inside a house quite like this before, so elegant but yet with a warm and welcoming feel.”
“It’s a special place.”
“Lots of bedrooms for two people,” Landry observed when they reached the last bedroom.
Sophie leaned against the doorframe, a soft smile playing at her lips. “Joe and I plan to fill this house with the pitter-patter of little feet.”
Landry blinked. “You mean…”
“We’re expecting around Christmas.”
A rush of genuine joy filled Landry. “Congratulations! I hadn’t heard.”
“We’ve been keeping it quiet until I got further along, but everything’s going well, so we’re finally sharing the good news.”
“You must be so excited.”
“I am. And Joe…” Sophie grinned. “If I had let him, he would’ve announced it over a loudspeaker the day we found out.”
Landry laughed. “I want kids someday. Just…not yet.”
“Understandable.” Sophie’s eyes twinkled. “You’ve got big plans.”
For the first time, Landry felt it. Really felt it. Like those plans weren’t just dreams anymore—they were right there, waiting for her.
When Landry finally stepped outside, she realized she was ready and eager to meet the other guests.
After pouring herself a glass of wine, she strolled through the backyard, taking in the warm glow of string lights twinkling overhead and the soft hum of conversation around her.
The night air was crisp but comfortable, carrying the faint scent of freshly cut grass and the smoky richness of grilled appetizers wafting from a nearby table.
Everyone she met was friendly, and years of working at the coffee shop had fine-tuned her ability to make small talk with strangers. But that easy confidence wavered when Joe introduced her to Daniel Grace.
The Daniel Grace.
For a moment—only a fleeting second—her mind went blank, her tongue tangled in knots. You have words, Landry. Use them.
“What’s your book about?” Daniel asked, his gaze expectant but kind.
She swallowed, trying to will herself to sound halfway intelligent. “It’s a murder mystery set in London,” she managed, her voice steadier than she felt. “I just finished the first draft.”
Interest sparked in his eyes. “You’ve got a first draft? Good for you. That’s further than most people who want to write a book get.”
The compliment settled in her chest, warm and solid. Daniel Grace had just acknowledged her work. It wasn’t a book deal or an award, but somehow, it meant something.
Before she could respond, Daniel’s attention shifted to something—or someone—beyond her shoulder. A moment later, he gave an apologetic smile. “I’m sorry, my wife is motioning to me.”
Landry nodded, trying to mask her disappointment. But before he stepped away, he met her gaze again.
“I know it can be daunting to get started as a writer, and it can feel lonely when it’s just you and an unforgiving computer screen.
” His voice held understanding, like he knew what that solitude felt like.
“If you ever need advice, I’d be happy to help.
Why don’t you email me sometime? We can grab coffee and talk more about your work. ”
Landry stared at him, stunned. The sheer generosity of it made her heart swell. “Thank you. I’d love that.”
As Daniel walked away, her thoughts immediately turned to Kindred Spirit.
He’d been the first person to truly understand her—her dreams, her fears and her longing for something more.
His encouragement had been like a steadying hand at her back, nudging her toward this moment, toward believing in herself enough to be here.
And then, there was Peter.
She hadn’t even meant to look for him, but the moment her gaze drifted across the yard, she found him.
Watching her.
Her breath caught.
When their eyes met, his lips curved into a slow, knowing smile. He lifted a hand in an easy wave, and something deep in her chest flipped.
She should look away. Should keep her cool.
But she couldn’t.
Because Peter wasn’t just watching her—he was seeing her.
Her real self. The one she’d fought so hard to reclaim.
When he started toward her, his long strides confident and sure, the air between them shifted, thick with something unspoken, something that sent heat curling through her stomach.
She already knew he was smart. Witty. Thoughtful. Kind.
And now?
Now she had to go ahead and add sexy as sin to the growing list of things about Peter that completely unraveled her.