Page 53 of Falling For You

I chuckled, grateful for the return to lightheartedness. “Honestly, I doubt you can keep up with me.”

“I’ll take that as a challenge,” he said, raising his beer. “To keeping up with Violet.”

I clinked my beer glass against his and wondered what kept pulling us together.

The server returned, and we ordered our food, but the playful energy between us didn’t fade even as the server came and went.

I glanced around the restaurant, seeing several familiar faces and many more whom I didn’t recognize. I turned my attention back to Owen.

“Okay, serious question,” I said, folding my hands under my chin. “What’s the most embarrassing thing that’s ever happened to you?”

Owen groaned. “Oh, no, we’re not going there.” He ran his palm jokingly over his face. “Definitely not going there.”

“Oh, come on,” I teased, nudging his foot under the table. “You owe me after watching me fall into a trough before your very eyes. It’s only fair.”

He chuckled, but the faint blush creeping up his neck told me I was on to something. “Alright, alright,” he said, shaking his hands in mock surrender. “But you can’t hold it against me.”

“No promises,” I replied, laughing.

Owen hesitated for a second before leaning in closer.

His voice dropped to a low whisper, but the deep hum of his voice wasstill detectable.

“Okay, so when I had one of my first meetings with a big-time investment bank, I knew my entire future rode on this huge presentation. It was a make-or-break moment.” He chuckled nervously and shook his head.

“Go on…”

“I was already nervous and didn’t want to mess it up. My brother had helped me practice for months. But before I went to present, I spilled coffee all over my pants.”

I gasped, trying to suppress a giggle. “No!”

He grimaced. “The problem was that I didn’t know it. I remember walking up in front of all these distinguished men in their crusty suits and slicked-back hair.” His eyes sparkled. “And my poor brother was sitting in the back with this horrific look crossing over his expression, and I didn’t have a clue.”

“Oh, no,” I said, feeling utterly horrified on his behalf.

“So, I plugged in my laptop, turned on the screen behind me, and just started talking. But as I kept going, I noticed every person in that room kept looking at my crotch.” He chuckled and shook his head. “I knew I couldn’t stop the whole presentation and look down, but the damp fabric had finally turned cold from the lukewarm coffee, and I knew something had seriously gone wrong.”

“That’s incredible. I would have died on the spot.” I chuckled.

“I almost did,” he said, laughing. “But the best part?”

“What?”

“I got the deal.”

“You’re braver than me,” I said, still giggling. “I would’ve just walked out, moved states, called it good.”

“Nah. No way,” he said, shaking his head. “You would’ve handled it like a pro. I can tell.”

“Oh, you think so?” I asked, lifting a brow. “You think I’d be cool as a cucumber under pressure?”

The server refilled our waters, and I glanced outside to see a beautiful glow bouncing off the lake water from the walkway lights above.

“Absolutely,” Owen replied, his smile softening. “You’ve got that ‘I can handle anything’ vibe. I mean, you kissed me after I pulled you out of a water trough. That’s gutsy, being all crusty and stuff.”

“As if.” My eyes widened. “I kissed you? You kissed me.”

He chuckled and nodded. “True. I just like to get you fired up.”

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