Page 47 of Running
“I cut him off because I was freaking out about a bunch of media stuff at once, and it was really dumb. Immature.”
My default sisterly position is always to have Landon’s back, but the fact that she’s so contrite from the start helps me slow down and listen.
“It’s good that you’re recognizing that. My brother didn’t deserve for you to end things. Especially the way you did.” Which was via text—tell me you’re twenty without telling me you’re twenty.
Her voice cracks. “I know.” She’s quiet for a minute. “I…I really want to apologize to him and see if he’ll give me another chance, but it’s hard to know where to begin. Between our schedules and living across the state from each other…it just feels like I should do this in person.”
I stay quiet, not sure what I think yet.
“So I had an idea. The Waves gala is in a couple of days, right? The one he wanted to take me to?”
I’m starting to guess where she’s headed.
“It is.”
“What if I showed up to that?”
My mind immediately begins clicking through pros and cons as someone who loves Landon. Pro—they find a way to reconcile, and he has the first woman he’s really cared for back in his life. Con—he rejects her apology and maybe has a bad night at the auction.
I start leaning towards one option right away, but I want to pressure test Rori’s mindset more first.
“So I have to ask, if I help you, how do I, or by extension Landon, know that you won’t do this again?”
She lets out a pained sigh. “I know. I’m going to have to build trust again. But I think…I’ve just needed to do some growing up here. The media heat, all the pressure on the tour right now—I took it out on him, on the wrong thing. I see that now, how badly I messed up. I will never do that again, if he gives me another chance.”
With Rori admitting her mistakes, and the possibility of Landon having a happily ever after far outweighing the risk of him having a bad night at the gala, I make my decision.
“Okay. I’ll help you.”
“Oh my god, thank you. Should I buy a ticket?”
The event is sold out, though I know Susie would find a way for Rori Reilly to attend no matter what. But now that I know Rori will come, I switch from sister mode, and put on my auction-planner hat.
“Actually, I have a different idea.” I share more about the auction, and propose she be a surprise guest at the end, donating signed gear or something.
“How would I get a chance to talk to Landon then?”
She’s right. We would want them to have the opportunity to speak, or the whole thing is pointless. I brainstorm really quickly and come up with another option.
“What about donating a Meet & Greet at the auction plus tennis lessons? I’d just have to figure out a way to make sure he bids, and then you’d have multiple chances to be with him in person if he wins.”
“Yes, that sounds good.”
I share more logistics now that we know the plan, and after hanging up, I text Susie and Roderick with the update. Needless to say, they’re ecstatic at the donation I secured from Rori.
The last part to figure out? How can I make sure Landon bids at all…
It takes me only a minute to realize I need help from the one person I was hoping to keep my distance from.
Shoot.
And then I message Johnson: Can you talk? I have a mission for you during the bidding.
A minute or so later, his response comes in.
JOHNSON: Yes, I’m at your command. Call me.
Here goes nothing. I dial his number.
