Page 62 of Falling for Love

“Well, he better get used to me being funny, goofy, dorky…”

“Don’t forget silly.”

I laughed. “Yes. Silly, too.”

Back in the kitchen, I checked the table to ensure everything was ready. Plates, napkins, silverware—it was all there. The spaghetti sauce simmered on the stove, filling the air with its rich, tomatoey aroma. I glanced at the clock again, my nerves flaring up as the minutes ticked on.

Why was I so nervous?

This wasn’t a big deal.

Just dinner. Just Liam.

I paced the kitchen and pretended to tidy up, but mostly trying to distract myself. The truth was, I couldn’t stop thinking about him. About the way he’d shown up with groceries and soup when Hayden was sick. About how he didn’t just tolerate my chaotic life—he seemed to enjoy it. And about how, no matter how much I tried to keep my guard up, he was slipping into my heart.

I leaned against the counter, letting out a sigh. Maybe I was overthinking this. Maybe I just needed to let things happen and stop worrying about what could happen.

The sound of a truck pulling into the driveway snapped me out of my thoughts. My heart skipped a beat as I straightened up and checked my reflection in the microwave door.

It was as good as it was gonna get.

“Okay,” I muttered to myself. “Let’s do this.”

Hayden’s laughter echoed from his room as I headed for the front door, trying to ignore the butterflies in my stomach.

This wasn’t a date. It was just dinner. And yet, it felt like so much more.

I smoothed my sweater again for what felt like the hundredth time as my heart did its usual chaotic dance when I opened the door.

And there he was.

Liam Harper, standing on my porch, looking every bit as effortlessly handsome as I’d remembered.

His dark hair, peeking from under his navy knit cap, was slightly damp from the snow. His blue eyes were bright, and the lopsided grin on his face made my knees feel like jelly.

“Hey,” he said, holding up a pie box in one hand and a bottle of wine in the other. “I come bearing gifts.”

My brain stalled, short-circuiting at the sight of him.

All the witty remarks I’d prepared on the walk to the door evaporated.

“Uh… hi,” I managed to croak out.

I stepped back to let him in, but the words had barely left my mouth when my foot caught on the edge of the welcome mat.

My body pitched forward, and I stumbled straight toward him, flailing like some kind of overgrown baby giraffe.

“Whoa!” Liam’s arms shot out, one hand with the wine steadying me while the other kept the pie box aloft.

His reflexes were far better than mine, thank God.

I crashed into his chest, my hands pressing against him as I tried to regain my balance. His strong arm wrapped around my waist, balancing me as my cheek pressed into his sweater.

I looked up into his eyes.

My face was way too close to his face.

And for one horrifying second, I thought I’d accidentally kissed him.

---