Page 104 of A Newport Christmess

She sent a subtle nod to someone off-screen before returning her attention to the camera. “And you can expect my feed to continue to go crazy with pictures and videos throughout the rest of today, but that’s not why I’m doing a live stream right now. I’m actually here to lend one of my most loyal supporters my platform. A guy who’s not only been with me since my social media debut, but one that has been integral in my success. And he also happens to be one of my most favorite people on this planet.”

Kade hadn’t been there since her debut. Was she talking about Landon?

The camera shifted, and my heart’s anxious rhythm stalled out entirely. Landon looked dreamy in his formal white shirt and black tie, his hair perfectly styled. And apparently, I wasn’t the only one to think so with the explosion of heart emojis trailing up the side of the video. But why was Landon on Nikki’s live stream? I thought he’d sworn off social media.

He ran a hand through his hair, and the heart emojis went crazy again despite how unsettled he looked.

“Landon,” Nikki’s voice came from behind the camera. “Is there something you’d like to say to someone?”

He drew in a slow breath, and his gaze shifted behind the camera to where Nikki must have been standing. “When I came up with this idea, I didn’t realize what an idiot I’d feel like.”

Nikki’s laugh trickled through the speaker. “Pretend there aren’t thousands of people watching at this very moment.”

“Thanks for that.” His gaze dropped, and I willed him to keep going, to say what he’d gotten on here to say, despite being certain I shouldn’t want to hear it. I was already too close to wavering. “Okay.” He nodded, and his eyes lifted to the camera again. “Quinn ...” He’d said my name! In front of tens of thousands, eventually hundreds of thousands of viewers, he was talking directly to me. It took every bit of focus to not get wrapped up on that one point alone. “I know we haven’t known each other long, and it feels crazy how fast I’m falling for you ... it certainly looks crazy to everyone ... but I don’t care. I’m tired of living my life by other people’s expectations. I’ve done that long enough. Now, I want to embrace what makes me happy. And it turns out, that’s you. Every wonderful, messy part of you.

“Because honestly, who isn’t a mess? I know I am. Life is complex. People are complex. The key is to find those who not only see our positive traits—and I could go on and on about yours—but those who truly appreciate the messiest parts of us. The parts that have shaped us into who we are. I’d like the chance to adore you like you deserve, Quinn. All of you. However long that process takes. From the first moment you threatened me with that frying pan, I was captivated, and every moment since has only made me more certain this is what I want. You are what I want.” His gaze dropped and then lifted again, and I felt like he was looking directly at me. “I really hope that’s one more thing we have in common.”

The video ended in an explosion of hearts and crying emojis. And I could see why. I felt like my own heart was going to explode, and tears were running down my cheeks. Thousands of people had already commented on the video. Tens of thousands had loved it. It was only a matter of time until my family and friends would all see it. My breath caught. That was why he’d done it. Landon had declared to anyone who cared to listen that I was desired. That I was worth being loved. I looked up in stunned silence.

A smile danced on Rachel’s lips. “Are you sure you don’t want to date him?”

I blinked. “Landon doesn’t realize what life would be like with me,” I said, though the rationalization was slowly slipping from me. The voices of doubt in my head had been chased away by Landon’s voice telling me I was enough for him.

“He seems to care more about what life would be like without you. Besides, isn’t that the whole idea of falling in love—having someone that complements you? Someone whose strength makes up for your weaknesses, and your strengths make up for theirs?”

“What if one person has all the strengths?”

Rachel moved to sit beside me on the bed. “I’m pretty sure a man doesn’t fall that head over heels for someone who has no strengths.” She smiled. “It sounds to me like you just need a little reminder about why he adores you. And I know a great way to get that.” She shifted to face me and covered my hand with hers. “Come to the wedding.”

My heart squeezed, finding a faster, heartier pace. “Okay.”

Rachel dipped her chin with eyebrows raised. “Okay?”

I nodded and glanced at the clock. “But we’d better get going, or we’ll both be late.”

* * *

I tapped my foot nervously on the floor of the car, my searching gaze finally recognizing the neighborhood the ride-share driver had turned into.

Rachel rested a hand on mine, pulling my attention to where she sat on the backseat next to me. “You can still make it. The wedding doesn’t start for another forty minutes.”

“But it takes almost twenty minutes to get there, and I’m not even dressed.”

“Let me wait for you, then.”

I shook my head adamantly. Rachel had already done enough for me—going so far as to bring me to Landon’s before going to Rosecliff—there was no way I was going to let her risk being late. “Absolutely not.”

“Well, then text me when you’re on your way, and if I need to, I’ll cause a scene.”

Despite my jitters, I smiled. “How do I hire a ride-share? Is it a website?”

“An app.” She opened her phone and pointed to two icons. “I’ve used both Uber and Lyft. Just download whichever one you want, put in your credit card information and your location”—she opened the app, pointing at how to do that—“then hit request a ride. The closest driver available will come and get you.”

“Okay,” I said, “I can do that.” At least I hoped I could. And I really hoped I had enough credit to get the charge approved. I was pretty sure I did as long as it wasn’t a couple hundred dollars. A ride-share didn’t cost that much, did it?

When we pulled into the drive, I leapt from the car with my heels in my hand for a quicker exit. “Thank you,” I called to both the driver and Rachel at the same time for efficiency.

“Your coat.” Rachel dangled it out the window.