Chapter 18
Jul 18, 2025
Emery’s POV
When Landon said he wanted to be near the baby, I didn’t realize he meant he wanted to take care of me too. It began quietly.
No declarations or over-the-top gestures, just small things, groceries left at my door. The first time, I assumed it was a delivery mistake. A plain brown bag with apples, oranges, cans of soup, and a bottle of prenatal vitamins.
Nothing fancy. No receipt, no brand-new packaging that screamed expensive. Just practical stuff.
Then I found the note folded between two apples. It was written on the back of a grocery list.
I didn’t know what brand. I Googled what’s best. –L
There was no full name, just a single letter. Like he wasn’t sure if he was allowed to say it anymore. I rolled my eyes and told myself not to read into it, but I didn’t throw anything away either.
After that, the bags kept showing up. Not every day, just enough to notice. Sometimes I caught sight of him leaving.
He never came straight to the door, always turned the corner a second too late, like he hoped I wouldn’t see him. Hoodie pulled down, grocery bag swinging in one hand, walking fast like he was trying to disappear before I could speak.
One morning, I spotted him halfway across the street. “Landon,” I called.
He stopped like someone had hit pause. Slowly, he turned around. “Hey,” he said, his voice cautious. “Didn’t mean to bother you.”
“You didn’t.” We stood there in awkward silence. The wind kicked up and tugged at the sleeve of my sweater.
“Thanks,” I said, motioning slightly toward the bag at my feet.
His face relaxed just a little. “Anytime.”
He didn’t ask to come in. He didn’t push for anything else. He just nodded once and walked off. And somehow, that was what stuck with me.
The way he never lingered. The way he kept his distance while still showing up. It wasn’t loud or obvious, but it was consistent.
One afternoon, while we stood outside pretending to talk, I muttered something mostly to myself. “My kitchen faucet’s been leaking. It’s driving me insane.”
He gave a slight nod like he was filing the thought away, but he didn’t comment. I didn’t expect him to. A few hours later, there was a knock at the door.
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