“I don’t know.”
“Are you waiting around for one of us to order you?” his mother asked.
“Yeah, I think so.”
“Sweetie, this is not a decision that your father and I can make for you. This is up to you, and we’ll respect that decision.”
“I don’t believe that.”
Charlotte moved toward him, taking a seat, and holding his hands. “I love you, Landon. You’re my youngest son, and I want what is best for you. Sending you to England, it was the last resort, but you just weren’t listening. Whatever you decide, I’ll know it’ll be what you want to do.”
“I’ve never apologized for all the crap I put you through. I was stupid.”
“Yeah, you were.” She got to her feet, kissing his head. “I promised Tamsin I’d watch some kind of sparkly vampire movie with her. Think about it, Landon. Make the choice that you want to make.”
Landon watched his mother go, and dropped his head into his hands. He didn’t have a clue what the hell he was going to do.
“Hey,” Sarah said, catching him unaware.
“I thought you’d gone to bed.”
“I had. Headache, and when I get them, it’s just easier to sleep it off.” Sarah took a seat at the table. “What’s wrong, Landon?”
“I don’t know.”
“You’re having to make a choice about staying here, and going back to England with Rick, aren’t you?”
“Yeah, I am.”
“Landon, your family aren’t just in the casino gambling business are they?” Sarah asked.
“No.”
“Darker stuff?”
“The Denton name is usually one to be feared.”
“Oh.”
He reached out to take her hands, happy that she didn’t flinch away from him. “I never lied to you. The family has a job, and I can’t tell you it all right now. It’s too much.”
“Do you have feelings for me?” she asked. “You know, do you feel something for me?”
He swallowed.
“It’s just I’ve heard odd parts of conversation, and I’m convinced that is what people have been saying. You’ve got to make a choice?”
“I do have feelings for you.”
“What choice do you have to make?” she asked.
“My brothers, when they graduated from high school at eighteen, they all went to work for my father.”
“You’re eighteen.”
“And I’ve graduated. I can go to college if I choose, but I’ve always wanted to join the family.”
She squeezed his hands. “Then you’ve got to do what you’ve always wanted. Landon, I’m not the prettiest girl in the world. I’m sure you’ll find someone new, but if you don’t, I can promise you, I’ll be waiting until you either show up looking all dashing and very proper, or I get a phone call saying that you’ve found someone else.”