Lies in Love by Ava Wood

even that Landon felt that way about women,
it was just a persona he felt like he had to play with the guys and
it always tended to slip out around his brother. “She wouldn’t
even give me the time of day, but there was something about her.
Maybe it was the fact that she turned me down, you know, the thrill
of the hunt and all, but there is just something about her. I can’t
get her out of my head. And now I’m giving up jobs and walking
away from women because she’s always on my mind. It’s
insane.”
    “What’s
insane about the fact that you are attracted to this woman? Maybe if
you get to know her, you’ll really grow to like her. You might
decide you want a different path for your life.”
    “That’s
just it. I couldn’t leave her alone so I got her to go out with
me. It was amazing. She may be a hard ass, but there’s
something there underneath. She has this amazing soul. She’s
not naïve and ignorant, because she knows the stakes and she
doesn’t want to dick around.” Landon saw that look on
Dawson’s face again. He was the ever-vigilant teacher and
father.
    “Sounds
like you like her, so what’s your question?”
    “No,
no, no. I don’t like her. I mean, she’s hot as hell, but
it’s nothing more than sexual attraction. I just don’t
know how I feel about my job in all of this. At least not until I
figure out how to get her in bed.”
    “Landon,
seriously? You and I both know this isn’t just about sleeping
with her. I can tell that you see something in her.”
    “No.
No way. You know I don’t do relationships. Relationships are
toxic. Just look at our dad. Look at what Gina did to him. He’s
not the man we used to know.”
    “Do
you even hear what you are saying? Relationships
are toxic, ”
Dawson mocked Landon. “I’ve been with Mya for twenty
amazing years; we have three beautiful children together. There is
nothing toxic about our relationship. And as for Dad, well, he
brought that on himself jumping into marriage with a woman half his
age.”
    Landon
rolled his eyes and started pacing.
    “I’m
not saying you have to marry the girl, but at least allow yourself
the opportunity to really get to know her and see if she could
possibly change your life, but honestly, bro, I think she already
has.”
    Landon
mulled over his brother’s last statement. Was he changing
because of her? Was his attachment really something more than just
sexual attraction? Landon had no idea how he could ever be sure, but
he respected his brother’s advice and knew he had to make a
decision. “Thanks, Dawson. You’re the only guy I can talk
to about this.”
    “I
guess it’s a good thing I’m your brother then.”
    Landon
chuckled and began heading toward the door. “I ought to go. I
know you need your beauty rest.”
    Dawson
rose to Landon’s side and slapped him on the back. “Get
out of here.” He laughed, escorting him to the door with his
arm around his shoulders.
    At
the door, Landon hugged Dawson and told him good night. He had plenty
to think about, things he never imagined would cross his mind.

    “Where’s
Talia?” Camey walked into the shop fifteen minutes late. She
hoped Talia’s glowing mood would still be intact, because she
wasn’t up for getting chewed out as soon as she walked in the
door.
    “Talia
hasn’t come down yet.” Sara placed hydrangeas,
ranunculus, and cornflowers strategically in a bridal bouquet
mock-up. She was obviously very focused on the task in front of her.
    “Well,
has anyone gone to check on her?” Camey tried to listen for
sounds above the shop as she questioned Sara.
    “Reina
texted her earlier, but we’ve been busy working on getting
orders ready ever since.”
    Camey
huffed. “Seriously? What if something happened to her?”
She turned on her heel and marched up Talia’s stairs. She
didn’t waste any time knocking, instead withdrawing her key to
unlock the door then barging right in. The apartment was quiet; there
were no lights on in any