Page 113 of Falling for Love

“I am,” I admitted. “But it’s her timeline. Not mine.”

I glanced over at the salad bar, a supper club staple.

“Should we get going before our food comes?” I asked.

Beck hopped up from the booth but took another sip of his old-fashioned. “Absolutely.”

Thank God for the distraction. I needed a second to regroup about Evie. Everything in the last few days happened so fast.

I’d never in a million years thought when I popped by to check on her yesterday, courtesy of Abby dropping a clue about Evie at the coffee shop, that we would have slept together.

And it was the best sex I’d ever had.

Next level.

Hot.

Endless.

Everyone always said when the emotional connection was there, it made it a million times more…

Beck slapped the back of my shoulder. “You okay?”

I laughed and shook my head. “Yeah. Totally. Sorry.”

“Like I said, don’t let her being a single mom scare you off.” Beck nodded.

“I never would. You know how much I want a family. Her son is awesome. She’s hands down the best woman out there. I just don’t want to scareheroff.” My mind flashed back to what her ex was trying to do.

It wasn’t my place to discuss it with my brother, but I wished I could bounce some ideas off him or round up some extra muscle.

Kidding.

I knew better than that, but it was one of the macho male fantasies to keep me going.

I glanced at the salad bar that made supper clubs around Wisconsin famous.

Crisp iceberg lettuce anchored the selection, flanked by bowls of cherry tomatoes, shredded carrots, and sliced cucumbers. A mountain of croutons and a lineup of creamy dressings—ranch, French, and blue cheese—beckoned like old friends.

It was my kind of dinner.

Alongside the classics were Midwestern staples: coleslaw, potato salad, and a towering stack of pickled beets. But thepièce de résistance? The cold, jiggling trays of neon-orange cheddar cheese cubes and creamy pasta salads whispered pure Wisconsin charm.

We returned to the table as my sisters walked to the salad bar.

When I slid in the booth, Beck smiled. “You slept with her, didn’t you?”

“Dude.” I shook my head, scowling. “What are you talking about?”

“You just seem all protective and like you’ve claimed her.”

I laughed and shook my head. “Claimed her? What is this? The Flintstone Age? First of all, nobody can claim Evie. She’s tough and would probably kick your ass just for saying that.”

My brother laughed and nodded. “Agreed.”

Fifi and Violet came back with their plates piled high and sat down.

“What are we talking about?” Fifi chimed in, looking between Beck and me.

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