Finding His Mrs. Right (Mending Hearts Series) (5 page)

“Nursing, I want to maybe be a doctor one day.” She explained.

“Maybe?” I asked, raising a brow.

“Well I’m pretty squeamish around blood, so I’m not too sure.” She chuckled, and I nodded with a smile.

“What do you do for fun, Landon?” Colby asked.

“Fun?
Me?” I chuckled at the thought. “I work for fun.”

“Oh come on.” She replied, twirling her hair around her finger. “Everyone has a hobby.”

“I don’t have time for a hobby.” I answered, truthfully.

“Nothing?” she asked, w
ith her accent ever so present.

Shaking my head, I peeked through the menu as the waitress returned. She was a blonde, and her name tag read ‘Brooke’.

“Can I get you two, something to drink?” she asked.

“I’ll have a red wine.” Colby insisted, and my eyes slid up to her. I wasn’t
expecting to hear that, but it showed me she had expensive taste.

“I’ll take a Mountain Dew.” I smiled brightly at the waitress.

“Red wine, and Mountain Dew coming right up.” She smiled, giving me a wink. I tried to act like I didn’t see her as I turned my attention back to Colby.

“Where’
s your favorite place to vacation?” Colby asked, jumping back into our conversation.

“I don’
t get to vacation, unless you consider when I travel abroad for business.” I answered.

“Oh,
my gosh, you can’t be serious, Landon.” She responded.

“Unfortunately, I am.”
I sighed, as my cell phone buzzed.

I could never go a whole day without
the damn thing going off, but with my life, what did I expect?

“Any cities that you want to visit?”
She asked, grabbing my attention.

“I’m sorry, I need to take this.” I interjected, and Colby fell silent.

“Hello?” I asked, before hearing the voice on the other end.

My heart sank
, as I heard the news being drilled into my head. I hated being rude, but this date was going to have to be put on hold. It was a bad idea to even attempt it in the first place. On cue, the waitress came back with our drinks, and asked for our order. I of course ignored her, as I heard the very raw details of my call.

“I’ll be there in about five minutes.” I replied
, as Colby ordered a dish. Hanging up, I stared over at Colby, who was glaring at me a bit annoyed.

“Order a dish for me; I’ll be back as soon as I can.” I assured, getting up from the table.

“Seriously?” Colby asked, obviously appalled by my decision, but there was no way I was ignoring my responsibilities. Not for her, or any woman.

“I’ll be back, just start without me.” I replied rushing from the table.

I paced m
y
hotel room for the umpteenth time as I clutched my phone. I couldn’t believe that I was nervous about Landon’s date. Not nervous that he wouldn’t succeed, but nervous that he would actually like Colby.  I had set him up with any guy’s ideal sweetheart. It was something I felt he needed, the moment eight o’clock hit, I felt dread in my gut. I had never had this feeling coursing through me about any of my clients, and I didn’t like it.

“You are totally
jelly.” Gwen replied.

She had been watching me for the past few hours
, and I couldn’t blame her, but calling me jealous? That was something I couldn’t let slide.

“Am not.”
I protested, stopping in my tracks, and turning to her.

“
Yeah right, I haven’t seen you act like this since Dean dated Ruby.” Gwen pointed out, and my face paled.

Dean had been my fiancé. We had dated senior year in high
school, but before me, he had dated Ruby. Ruby had been the popular bubbly cheerleader. Yeah, it was cliché, but it was true. She was a horrid bitch that kept Dean wrapped around her finger. Dean was too nice of a guy—too sweet to be with her. Boy was I glad when he came to his senses.

“Sorry, I’m sorry.” Gwen frowned as I sucked in a hard breath. That subject had been a raw wound for me that had yet to heal.

“It’s fine.” I said plopping down on my bed.

“But, just admit it. You have a crush on
, Landon Brooks.” She insisted, wide-eyed.

Rolling my eyes, I fell flat on
to my back. The soft, yet firm hotel mattress had caught me. What Gwen was saying had resonated in my head, and I hated it. Why couldn’t this just be like any other job?

“Not a crush.” I insisted. “But he has me interested.” I finally admit.

Gwen squealed triumphantly, before clapping her hands. She had known me the best, because she had been my best friend since high school. We had been inseparable, and she knew just about everything there was to know about me.

“Then why don’t you fix him up with
you
?!” she exclaimed.

“Come on, he would never go for me. He’s rich, and—”

“Totally into you, Tessa.” Gwen replied, cutting me off as she tossed a tabloid on my bed.

It had me and Landon kissing on the cover. It was one of dozens I had seen today, and I wasn’t going to lie—the kiss was nice.
Hell, it had been more than nice. Landon definitely knew how to move those soft, succulent lips of his. It was another thing that had me thinking of him all night long. Hell, it was also the reason I arranged our “late lunch”. I could’ve simply called him with the details, but I wanted to see him again.

“Gwen, he’s not my type.” I insisted.

“Oh, bullshit Tessa! He
is
gorgeous. If I had a chance, I would jump his bones, myself.” Gwen huffed.

“I’m off the market.” I said, seriously.

“Tessa—”

Gwen had been stopped by the ringing of my phone.
Hell, it had scared me half to death. It was after midnight, and I wasn’t one to have calls at this hour. Looking at my phone, I saw Landon’s name flashing on the screen. Frowning, I immediately answered it.

“Hello?” I asked, a bit off guard.

“Tessa, hey—um—this is Landon.” I heard his voice say uneasily on the other end of the phone. Making out the tone of his voice, I realized his words sounded slurred. Had he just drunk dialed me?!

“I know who you are. Is everything ok?” I asked, nervously. I hoped he wasn’t calling me to say he was having a “good time”. That was definitely something I could live without.

“Who is it?!” Gwen whispered, giddily, still sitting on her own bed. I shooed her away, as I tried to listen intently.

“
I’m calling you because—well I don’t have any other friends. I would’ve called Tyler, but he’s at home with his wife.” He rambled a bit.

“Landon, what’s going on?” I asked, concerned.

“I knew it!” Gwen shouted, and I shooed her away again.

“I’m at a bar wasted. I mean, I can’t even see straight, and I don’t think it’ll be a good idea if I try to drive home.”
Landon muttered.

Drunk? Landon didn’t peg me as the type of guy to get
pissy drunk. I’ve never read anything about him being out of control, so this had caught me right out of left field. One thing I was grateful for though was the fact that he called me for help, instead of jumping behind a wheel.

“Where are you?” I
asked shooting to my feet.

“Um—the place you set the date up for me at. Err—that sentence didn’t sound right. I’m sitting at the bar, of the place where I was supposed to have my date. Yeah, that sounds better.” Landon rambled.

“Ok, I’ll be there in fifteen. Don’t. Move.” I ordered.

“You got it.” He replied before hanging up.

“What’d he want? Did he tell you that his date was lame, and he wants a piece of Tessa Pie?” Gwen chuckled.

“Not funny, Gwen.”
I snapped grabbing my coat. “I need the car; I’ll be back in a bit.” I insisted before leaving.

Six

Making it to the restaurant, I stormed inside, and searched the place. There were only a few heads at the bar, and Landon was one of them.
He was slumped over, and holding a shot glass in his hand. I rushed through the room, and made my way to him.

“Landon?” I asked, sitting beside him.

“You really came.” He smiled slightly looking over to me.

I gasped as I saw
the bottom of his lip had been split. Not to mention the cut on the upper right side of his eye. He had obviously been in a fight, but over what? Had the girl I set him up with had an angry lover? God, I hoped not or my job was going to be on the line.

“Of course I came. Landon, what happened to you?” I asked, going to touch his bruise, but he caught my arm.

“Don’t, it still hurts.” He smiled.

“Tell me what happened.” I insisted.

“I can’t.” he slurred. “If I did that, my perfect image would be tarnished.”

“You obviously need someone to talk to.” I pointed out.

“I have someone to talk to. Tyler’s just at home with his perfect family. I didn’t want to burden him tonight.” He answered.

“Then, talk to me.” I pushed.

“I can’t, all my secrets are locked away up here.” He said pointing to his head.

“How many drinks have you had?” I asked, curiously.

“More than I can remember.” He smiled.

Landon was definitely wasted beyond belief. I needed to get him out of here before things got any more out of hand. Maybe he’d open up more if we were alone.

“C’mon, let’s get you out of here.” I replied, helping him up.

“
Here,” He said handing me his keys, and I shoved them in my purse.

“We’re going to take my friend’s rental.” I assured, and he shrugged. I was grateful that he didn’t put up a fight.

Ushering Landon out of the bar, I helped him into the passenger’s seat before getting into the driver’s. It was nippy outside, so I started the car, and cranked the heat. He told me his address, and I punched it into the GPS. Boy was I glad to have that thing, because Landon had dozed off on the ride to his home. Arriving, I pulled out his keys and dragged him out of the car. He was lucid enough to grab my arm and help me usher him inside. Once there, I helped him upstairs to his bedroom.

The place was huge, and on a
lakefront property! Driving up to the house, you could see it on the hill. It was the only house in the area, and there was a great view of the mountains. Landon Brooks was sure living the life many people wanted. His bedroom looked like he had come from royalty. The room was like 3 bedrooms in one, and it had dim lighting. There were three French doors that led to a balcony, and his curtains were gorgeous. He had a chandelier in the middle of the room, and I wanted to melt.

Landon had such exquisite taste.

Sitting on his bed, he stared over at me. I felt my cheeks heating up, because even though he was hammered, he was still totally hot. Damn my hormones! Shaking off my thoughts, I sauntered over to him and pulled off his shoes.

“Thanks.” He smiled slightly, as I spotted his built in bathroom.

“Are you going to tell me what happened?” I asked.

“I ruined the date.” He answered.

“How so?” I asked a bit relieved to hear that news.

“I got a really important phone call and I left her at the table.
Alone. I did come back—over an hour later and Chloe—Coney…” he stopped as he pondered her name.

“Colby?”
I asked, filling in the blank for him.

“Yes! That’s it!” He chuckled.
“Anyway, Colby was gone. I was kind of relieved to be honest, because as you can see—my face hurts.”

I chuckled at his drunken rambling, but noticed he was staring at me.

“So, was the call for work?” I asked, trying to pry. He had left me for the same reason earlier, but at least he had been nice enough to drive me back to my hotel room.

“
No.” he sighed.

“An old girlfriend?”
I asked, and he smiled.