Landon (In Safe Hands Book 1) by S.M. Shade Read Free Book Online

smile on my face. I didn’t intend on spending money on myself today, but
trimmed hair and thrift store clothing isn’t too much of a splurge.
    It’s
been almost two hours, so I head back to the mall and quickly gather the school
supplies from Ethan’s list. My arms are loaded down as I take a seat and text
Ethan.
    -You
done? I’m by the fountain.-
    He
shows up carrying a few bags with Colin in tow. A sheepish smile sweeps across
his face. “Would you mind if I stay? The Deadpool movie is playing in a few
minutes. Colin can bring me home.”
    Trying
to hide my grin, I look at Colin. “Do you have your driver’s license?”
    “Yes,
ma’am. Had it for almost a year,” Colin replies.
    “Don’t
you need someone eighteen or older to get into that movie?”
    “Er…yeah.
That was going to be my next question,” Ethan admits.
    Laughing,
I shake my head. “Let’s get all this stuff to the car and I’ll get you in the
movie.”
    “Thank
you!” They beam at each other.
     
    * * * *
     
    I
have plenty of time to launder my new clothes and grab a shower before my date
with Jason, the cute mechanic. After drying and straightening my hair, I pace
the house. It’s been a while since I went on a date, and I know nothing about
this guy. Dating is a bitch. You never know if you’re going to get the guy
whose idea of romance is flowers and hand holding, or an instant dick pic to
your phone—usually a tiny one they’re way too proud of. That seems like
something Landon would do. And why the hell am I thinking about him now? I need
to get a grip.
    Jason
picks me up at exactly eight o’clock. He’s punctual. Always a good thing. He
also doesn’t seem bothered by the neighborhood I live in. Bright blue eyes meet
mine as his lips turn up in a soft smile. “Zoe, you look beautiful,” he says,
walking me to his car with his hand on the small of my back.
    “Thank
you.”
    “Do
you like Mexican food?”
    “I
love it.”
    “Great,
I know a little place that has the best chicken quesadillas.”
    We
engage in small talk during the drive to the restaurant. Jason seems laid back
and I find him easy to talk to. He opens the door for me, pulls out my chair,
and picks up the check with no hesitation. We walk down the street to an ice
cream shop and indulge in root beer floats. When he pulls up at my apartment to
drop me off, he again opens my car door and walks me to my door.
    “I
had a great time with you tonight,” he says, grinning at me.
    “So
did I.” I lay a hand on my belly. “The food was delicious. I’m stuffed as a
tick.”
    Laughing,
he catches my hand while we stand outside my door. “I’d love to take you out
again.”
    “I’d
like that.”
    A
smile blooms on his face and he presses a soft kiss on my lips. It’s sweet and
brief, but I still feel a flutter in my stomach. “Goodnight, Zoe.”
    “Goodnight.”
    I
hear his car pull away just as I get my door unlocked. When I look behind me to
wave to him, he’s gone, but I notice Landon’s car parked a few spots away. Was
he here when we pulled in and I didn’t notice? What the hell is he doing here?
It’s Saturday night.
    “Something
wrong?” I ask as he stalks up the walkway.
    “I
forgot to give you my credit card so you can get the stuff for the guest rooms
before you come in on Monday.” His posture is stiff as he thrusts a credit card
into my hand. “Sorry if I interrupted your evening.” He turns and marches back
to his car without another word and drives away.
    What
the hell? Hasn’t he ever heard of a phone? He has my cell number. And what was
with the attitude? He can be seriously weird sometimes.
    Ethan
is lying on the couch, watching T.V. when I come in. “What did you do today?” I
ask.
    “Hung
out with Colin. He’s transferring to my school.”
    “Yeah?
You happy about that?”
    A
smile lifts his lips. “Should be fun.”
    Uh-huh.
I know not to keep questioning. I’m not his mom, but there’s only so much a boy
will tell his