Page 138 of Falling for Love

As we set the table, Hayden came bounding into the kitchen, his hair sticking up in all directions, but he was dressed for school.

“Morning,” Liam said, ruffling his hair.

“You’re still here.” He grinned and glanced at me. “I tripped over you last night. Your arm was dangling from the couch.”

“Yes, I was a bit of a roadblock on the path to water. My apologies,” Liam teased.

Hayden laughed and stared at the plate of waffles.

“Liam made these,” I said, sliding a plate in front of him.

Hayden looked up at Liam, his eyes wide with mock seriousness. “You made waffles?”

“I know. It’s a shock,” Liam said, playing along. “But I promise they’re edible.”

“With or without a finger?” he teased.

Liam held up all ten fingers as Hayden took a bite, and I poured him a glass of milk.

Hayden giggled, taking a big bite. “So good.”

I dipped a bite of waffle in syrup and nodded with a smile. “Delicious.”

Liam pretended to wipe sweat off his brow, and we chuckled.

“Okay, we have about three minutes until the bus arrives,” I announced, rounding up his backpack, hat, jacket, and shoes. “Get that last swallow down and finish off your milk.”

“Fine. Do I have to go to school today?” he groaned, and my heart tugged a little. There were days I wondered the same thing.

I stood behind him, patted down his hair, and kissed the top of his head. “Yup. That’s how it’s done at the age of seven.

Liam helped Hayden get his backpack on while I ensured he had his lunch and homework. The sight of them together—the easy camaraderie and the way Hayden looked at Liam like a superhero—sent me in all directions.

This was the kind of connection I’d always wanted for Hayden, but I couldn’t ignore the fear that came with it.

What if it all fell apart?

We walked to the door, and I kissed him one more time.

As the school bus pulled up, I hugged Hayden tight, holding on just a little longer than usual.

“Mom, you’re squishing me,” he said, laughing.

“Sorry,” I said, letting him go. “Have a great day, okay?”

He nodded and waved as he walked down the driveway and climbed onto the bus. I stood there until it drove away, the knot in my stomach tightening.

When I turned back toward the house, Liam was waiting in the doorway, his arms crossed and a soft smile on his face.

“Need a distraction?” he asked, holding up two steaming mugs of coffee.

“Desperately,” I said, walking up the steps.

He handed me a mug, and we stood there for a moment, sipping in comfortable silence.

“You’re a natural with him, you know,” I said, breaking the quiet.

And I froze, realizing I never should have said that.

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