Addicted to You(13)

Colby glanced over her shoulder as she gave him a hug. His gaze traveled down and his eyebrow rose slightly. So yeah, maybe I was a tiny bit overdressed for breakfast.

Landon pulled me into a hug, forcing me to break eye contact with Colby.

As I hugged him back, I teased, “So be honest, did you have to set an alarm to wake up this morning?”

He pulled away with a frown and his eyebrows bunched together. “Alarm? I could smell your grandma’s cooking all the way in my bedroom.” He rubbed his stomach. “I couldn’t get here fast enough.”

With a laugh, I rolled my eyes. “Okay, okay.” Then I whispered, “Suck-up.”

He winked, and switched places with Colby. As Landon greeted Grandma, Colby and I stared at each other. But I wasn’t doing this. Nope. I was carefree Isla.

I tiptoed to give him a big, friendly hug, then spun away and marched into the kitchen. “Let’s eat. I’m starving.”

The conversation never had a dull moment as we ate. If there was one thing Landon and I had in common, it was our love of talking. And the best part about breakfast was seeing how much Grandma appreciated it. She’d always enjoyed being around family and friends, but since Mom and Dad had divorced and my brother, Luis, had moved away, it had been the two of us.

I tried not to think about what it would be like for Grandma once I left to finish nursing school. She had a lot of friends but the thought of her living alone pretty much broke my heart. If the schedule wasn’t so demanding and the commute so far, I’d stay with her as long as I could. Of course, if I could convince her to move with me, I’d do that too, but that was laughable. She’d never leave Port Lucia. Not even with Clyne only an hour away.

“Well, Ms. Diaz, breakfast was delicious as always.” Landon leaned back and patted his stomach. “If you ever need help with leftovers, you know who to call.”

Grandma smiled as she stood and cleared her plate. “You’re welcome anytime. My kitchen is always open.”

I laughed and everyone turned to me. “Sorry. I just had a visual. Like raccoons in a garbage can. You’re going to hear rummaging in the middle of the night…” I glanced around. “Sorry. It was funnier in my head.”

Landon smirked, and shook his head. “Good thing you’re adorable.”

Grandma chuckled. “You and that imagination.”

I looked to Colby, missing the way he usually came to my defense or at least laughed with me instead of at me, but found him staring at Landon. Except it wasn’t a polite stare. His furrowed brow hooded his darkened gaze. Then he took a deep breath, blinked, and turned to me. His eyes widened slightly before he quickly stood, scooped up my plate as well as his, and took them to the kitchen sink. Grandma followed, asking him if work had been busy with the summer tourism fading.

But what was that look? Why had Colby been eyeing Landon like he was public enemy number one? Did they have a fight on the way over? Or maybe I was overanalyzing what I’d seen. I brushed it off and headed to the kitchen to help clean up.

“You got any plans later?” Landon asked as he joined us in the kitchen.

Colby turned from where he’d just deposited dishes in the sink.

“Actually, yeah.” I glanced back at Colby then to Landon. “I’m going to the beach. Why?”

“There’s a band playing at Jack’s tonight. My boss is looking for a way to bring in more Sunday business. This was my idea. Hoping to get a packed house so he doesn’t regret listening to me.” He laughed.

Call me crazy, but Colby seemed to relax as his stance softened and he leaned against the counter. “Are the guys going?” he asked.

“Most of them. But the more girls we get in the doors, the more guys stick around.” Landon winked at me.

“I could stop by later. I’ll bring Taylor.”

Both guys stared at me as if I’d said the most outrageous thing ever. I rolled my eyes and threw my hands up. “What?”

Colby shrugged. “You just never really hang out with other girls…besides Felicity.”

“For your information, Taylor also happens to be who I’m going to the beach with. I’m not like a social pariah, you know? I can make new friends.” With my arms crossed, I gave them both a pointed stare.

Colby chuckled—for the first time all morning—then said, “We know. Just surprised to hear you’re hanging out with Taylor. But good for you.”

Was he freaking— “Thanks, Dad. I needed your stamp of approval.”

“Uh-oh, you woke up feisty.” Landon stepped back, hands raised in surrender. “I didn’t say a thing. That was all Colby.”