Page 15 of You Are My Every Reason

"Okay." She lets out a breath. "I can do this. I want to do this. I can't cling to you, and they are trying to be nice. This will be good for both of us." I’m not sure if she’s trying to convince me more or herself.

"Only care about it being good for you. You can get to know the girls while I'm home too," I point out. "I can?—"

"You're going to the fight," Fallon cuts in, her chin rising. I watch a small fire light in those beautiful green eyes of hers. As much as I don’t want to leave her, I love that she’s taking a stance on this. That I can give her a bit of power back in making decisions for herself.

"Yes, ma'am." I lean down and kiss her forehead, letting my lips linger there. Fallon lets herself melt more into me.

"Maybe one day I'll go with you," she mutters against my chest. I'm not sure how I feel about that, but I'll take it one step at a time. I can’t say whether it would be more difficult for Fallon or for me.

It's not lost on me that the sooner I knock out whoever I'm fighting, the sooner I can get back home.

"Get ready. You don't have to stand here and coddle me." Fallon starts to step back, but I snag her around the waist to stop her.

Does she really think that in moments like this one it's me that’s coddling her? Pretty sure I'm coddling myself with her. I stay as close to her for as long as I possibly can.

"I love our coddling. Don't be taking it away from me. Enjoy the cuddling too."

"I do too," Fallon admits as pink blooms across her cheeks. That blush always does it for me. I clear my throat.

"I'm going to hop into the shower." I kiss her on the forehead again. This time I release my hold so that she can step fully back. “I’ll go shower.”

“You’ve said that twice now.” Fallon laughs.

“See, I don’t want to leave you.” Her eyes light up, making me want to reach for her. “I’m really going now.” I force myself to move, knowing I could end up standing right here all night.

If Fallon asked, I gladly would.

ChapterEleven

FALLON

“There is a machine that does this.” Willa huffs in frustration, making her thick bangs fluff out, landing on the top of her glasses. She does, however, keep stirring the bowl with the cake mix.

“You said you wanted to help,” Teddy reminds her.

“I can do more than stir. Have you seen my GPA?” Willa replies.

“Yes, Willa, you are brilliant, but the kitchen isn’t for you. I thought we already established this,” Teddy responds to her, but she sneaks a look over at me, fighting a laugh. I have to admit that I’m enjoying the banter between the two of them more and more.

“You’d think I burnt the house down,” Willa tries to explain or maybe get me on her side.

“Almost did,” Teddy mutters, rolling out a thing of dough.

“Cut off a finger.”

“Close a few times.” Teddy has a quick response to each defense Willa comes up with.

“Or poison someone.”

“Now that one is up for debate.”

“Hey! That wasn't my fault. You said to wash the chicken, and I did. You’re always using that 407 spray on stuff. You used it on the counter earlier, and now you're rolling food across it.”

“She has a point.” I put my fingers over my mouth. Both Teddy’s and Willa’s heads swing my way. Why did I jump into the sister fight they are having? I’m not in this group. “Sorry?—”

“No apologies.” Willa’s face brightens with a smile. “Glad someone is on my side for once.”

“Here we go.” Teddy lets out a melodramatic sigh. “And that wasn’t the poison I meant, but we can go with that one.”

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