Page 129 of Falling for Love

I groaned, covering my face with my hands. “Traitor.”

Liam laughed so hard he nearly tipped his chair back. “Is that true, Evie? Are you secretly living off peanut butter and air?”

“I’m efficient!” I protested, my face warming. “Why dirty a plate when you can just grab a spoon and go?”

“Efficient. That’s one way to put it,” he teased, grinning. “You’re a mystery, Evie. Classy on the outside, peanut butter gremlin on the inside.”

Hayden laughed so hard he snorted, and I couldn’t help but join in.

“Well, since we’re airing dirty laundry,” I said, narrowing my eyes at Liam, “what’s your guilty food habit?”

“Me?” He pointed to himself, feigning innocence. “I’m an open book.”

Hayden wasn’t buying it. “Come on, you have to eat something weird.”

Liam rubbed his chin thoughtfully. “Okay, fine. When I’m by myself, I eat those little cocktail sausages straight out of the can.”

Hayden’s jaw dropped. “Ew! You don’t cook them?”

“Oh, sure, peanut butter by the spoon is sophisticated, but canned sausages are where you draw the line?” I teased.

“See? I’m not perfect.”

I couldn’t stop laughing.

Liam’s eyes twinkled as he looked at me. “Truce?”

“Truce,” I said, holding up my fork like a peace offering.

Hayden, not to be left out, added, “Truce. But only if I get another roll.”

Liam grabbed the breadbasket and handed it to Hayden with a flourish. “Your wish is my command, kid.”

“Hey, no spoiling him,” I warned, but my smile gave me away.

“He’s hard to resist,” Liam replied, grinning at Hayden.

My chest tightened as I watched them. I wanted this so badly. This little bubble of happiness felt fragile, yet I wanted to hold onto it with everything I had.

“You okay?” Liam asked softly, catching my gaze.

“Yeah,” I said, smiling. “This is nice.”

His expression softened, and for a second, the world's noise seemed to fall away. Then Hayden broke the spell.

“Liam, guess what?”

“What’s that?” Liam asked, leaning forward like he was about to hear the most important secret in the world.

“I can burp the alphabet,” Hayden announced proudly.

“Hayden!” I said, horrified and laughing at the same time.

Liam’s face lit up with mock seriousness. “This, I’ve got to see.”

“No, you don’t!” I said, shaking my head and trying to suppress my laughter. “Hayden, I swear, if you—”

Too late.

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