Page 34 of Falling for Love

“Can we talk about something else?”

“Fine,” Fifi said, though her grin suggested she wasn’t done teasing me yet. “But if you’re planning to bring her to a family dinner, let us know so we can clean up our act.”

“Clean up your act?” I asked, laughing. “That’s unlikely. Let’s just not let Beck know too much, okay?”

“You think Beck is worse than we are?” Vi’s brows quirked.

“Without a doubt,” Fifi answered for me.

Before I could respond, Mom stepped in and smiled.

“If you like her, Liam, don’t overthink it. You’ve always had a way of complicating things that don’t need to be complicated.” Her tone was gentle, but I knew she meant business.

I sighed, leaning back against the counter. “It’s not that simple, Mom. She’s got a kid. And I don’t even know if she’s ready for… anything.”

“Then start with being there,” she said simply. “The rest will come if it’s meant to.”

Her words hung in the air, and I found myself thinking about the way Evie had smiled when she promised to meet me for coffee.

Maybe my mom was right.

Maybe I was overthinking it.

Maybe Evie was overanalyzing it.

Maybe we were just all doomed.

I chuckled and pushed myself away from the counter. “I don’t know. I’ll just take it one step at a time.”

“Well,” Fifi said, breaking the silence with a dramatic clap of her hands. “If Liam brings Evie and Hayden home, we’ll have to step up our game.”

“Stop,” I said, laughing despite myself. “You’re getting ahead of yourself.”

“Just planning ahead,” Violet said with a wink. “You never know when we’ll have a new addition to the family.”

“The same could be said about you and Owen,” I pointed out wryly.

“Whatever.” She rolled her eyes.

The kitchen was still buzzing with activity, but I’d had enough of being the target of my sisters’ relentless teasing.

Fifi’s smirk would carry her into dinner, and Violet kept throwing little quips my way about preparing for fatherhood, so it was my time to exit.

“That’s it,” I said, holding up my hands in mock surrender. “I’m going to the barn. At least our rescue animals don’t spend all day trying to dissect my love life.”

Fifi laughed as she sprinkled rosemary over a platter of roasted vegetables. “You mean they don’t talk back to you. That’s the only reason you like them better.”

“Bingo,” I said, pointing a finger at her as I grabbed my jacket from the hook by the door. “I’m out. Don’t burn dinner for the guests.”

“Don’t get lost in your feelings, Romeo!” Violet called as I opened the back door, the sound of her laughter following me outside.

The cold air hit me as I stepped onto the porch, a welcome contrast to the kitchen's warmth.

I pulled on some gloves, shoved my hands in my pockets, and made my way toward the barn. The solidness of snow under my boots and the familiar sounds of the animals settling in for the evening were enough to help me clear my head.

Inside, the barn was its usual cozy self, the scent of hay and the gentle sounds of shifting hooves and soft whinnies welcoming me like an old friend.

Honey, our oldest rescue horse, lifted her head from her stall and released a soft nicker. I walked over, rubbing her nose as she leaned into my touch.

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