Lizzie
Chapter Forty-Five
“What are you doing here?” I take a few steps backward, increasing the distance between Landon and me.
“That’s rude, Liz. Aren’t you even going to say hello?”
Landon’s tone is pleasant, but I know him well enough to know it’s a facade.
“I want you to leave. Now.”
“Calm down. I’m just here to visit. To check out Aron Falls.” He looks around my kitchen as he talks.
“I’ve been looking to get away from the hustle and bustle of city life.” He turns his gaze to me. “Maybe give small-town living a try.”
He shrugs like he doesn’t have a care in the world. As if he’s not an obsessed fool who has, once again, found out where I live.
“You wouldn’t fit in here, if that’s what you’re implying.” I hope I sound confident.
“Let’s go sit and talk.”
“No way. You’re not coming in here. Say whatever you have to say from where you’re at and then go.”
He doesn’t speak for what feels like an eternity.
“It’s a clever idea you had here, this business. I’ve got to hand it to you. I’m guessing it’s profitable, yes?”
“That’s none of your business,” I tell him.
“Well, I mean, it sort of is.” He’s baiting me, and unfortunately, I bite.
“Go to hell, Landon. I’m not going to tell you anything about my business.”
“Hmm, where’s that small-town hospitality? Everyone else here—the waitress at the diner, the lady at the bed-and-breakfast, and my realtor—is quite pleasant.”
“Realtor?” I narrow my eyes on him.
He smiles a wicked grin.
“Yep. I needed a realtor to check out vacant properties, of course.”
I say nothing. This isn’t going to end well.
“My realtor is writing up an offer as we speak. I loved your idea here so much—mainly the event space and special occasion activities—that I thought maybe I should give it a try.”
He’s known Simon and I have been here for some time, obviously.
“What are you talking about? There isn’t enough work here to support two growing businesses offering the same services.”
“Oh, what’s the matter, Liz? Afraid of a little healthy competition? It’ll be nice for people to have options. When someone has a special event coming up, they can come to your quaint little place here, or they can choose mine, just across the square, for a more upscale but very affordable option.”
“Across the square?” My voice is hushed.
“Yep. You know those two buildings for sale over there? They’ll be mine as soon as the owners accept and sign my offer.”
My heart races. “Why are you doing this, Landon? I’m positive you have no real interest in running this type of business, and you’d most definitely hate small-town life.”
“Maybe I would. Don’t know until I try. Plus, I’d get to see you. Maybe even every day. And of course, there’s Simon. He’s—”
“Stay away from my son, Landon. I swear to God, you better stay away from my son.”
Landon smirks. “Now, now, Mama Bear. You know I can’t promise that. Not in a town this size.”
“What is wrong with you? Do you not have a life?”
A muscle in his jaw tics. “Watch it. Your smart mouth always was your least attractive feature.”
I narrow my eyes at him. Screw him. “Seriously, though. You can’t still want to be with me. Not after all the rejection. Even if you do, it’s never going to happen.”
He takes a step toward me, and I take another one backward.
“Why is that, Liz? Because you’re holding out for your fairytale ending? You’re fooling yourself if you think I don’t know exactly why you’re here in Aron Falls. It’s pathetic, really.”
“More pathetic than you following me from town to town? Especially when I’d rather be alone for the rest of my days than spend even one more hour with you.”
A wicked laugh erupts from him.
“Well, that’s good, because you know that’s what’ll happen, right?
You’ll end up alone. You’ll continue to delude yourself into believing that Holden Aron really cared about you all those years ago.
That he wasn’t screwing every girl who rotated through the frat house even while you thought he was just some sweet guy you met in the library. ”
“You’re a liar,” I accuse.
“Just like you’re tricking yourself into thinking he isn’t screwing around on you now.”
I know it’s not true, but it still hurts to hear him say it.
“Get off my property. Now,” I hiss.
He smirks.
He always knew when he was getting under my skin, and I hate it.
“But the most pitiful thing is that, even with you overlooking all those things, he’s still not going to stay. Not for a woman like you. You couldn’t even keep your own father around—”
“Get. Out. I won’t say it again. Leave, or I’m calling the sheriff.”
“No need. I’ll be sure to let you know when my offer is accepted, and we’ll officially be friendly competitors. Until then...”
He turns and walks out the door.
I count to five, then I race for the door and lock it.
And now I know for sure, I’m never going to be free of this man.