Page 104 of Never Fall Again

“When I woke up and saw y’all down here? I realized that I was right. I couldn’t imagine it then. And now, I don’t have to imagine it. Because IknowEliza is safe with you.”

Cal squeezed her shoulder. “What about you?”

“What about me?”

“You said you knew Eliza was safe with me. But what about you? Do you knowyou’resafe with me?”

Landry took a deep breath and went for it. “I know that if you ever got to the point where you were willing to risk it, I would be safe with you.”

“Landry, this”—a quick squeeze—“isn’t risky. This is right.”

She lifted her head and smiled at him. When she did, his lips swept over hers in a fleeting caress that promised more...later. He rested his forehead against hers. “You’re killing me, Landry. When you’re feeling better, and”—he nodded toward Eliza—“when we’re alone, I’m going to kiss you properly. And often.”

Before she could respond, headlights flickered in the driveway.

“That’s Mom.” Cal groaned. “This isn’t the best timing, but I need to say this before she comes in, just so we’re on the same page.”

“Okay.”

“I can’t be just friends. Not anymore. You know where I’m coming from, so I’m not going to hold back. I want everything. I want you for you. I want you and Eliza in my life. I want dates with you and movies and pizza nights with both of you. I want phone calls and texts. I want to hold your hand in public and kiss you senseless in private.”

She could feel her skin heating, and when Cal’s lips curled into a smug smile, she knew he’d noticed.

But still, he asked. “I need to know. Are we on the same page?”

As if he didn’t already know. She leaned into him. “Same page. Same line, same word, same letter.”

Eliza stirred, and her eyes fluttered. “Mommy?”

Cal groaned. “Get better soon, Landry. We have so much todiscuss.”

To no one’s surprise, Eliza had strep. But after a few doses of antibiotics and a day piled on the sofa with Landry and Cal watching all her favorite movies, she was raring to go.

Cal had taken her to school on Wednesday morning, then reluctantly went to the office. He came to check on Landry at lunch, picked up Eliza from school, and somehow failed to return to work after he dropped her off at home.

Landry was still weak, but her throat didn’t hurt anymore. She hadn’t run a fever in twenty-four hours, and her skin no longer felt like it was going to split apart if someone breathed on her.

She hadn’t had pain medicine in thirty-six hours, and she finally believed she was going to return to her former health.

It was cool out, but she didn’t need more than a jacket when she stepped outside. Eliza was asleep, and she’d expected to find Cal at the firepit with Mo. But he wasn’t there.

“He’s walking by the river.” Mo pointed to a trail that led from the firepit to the river. Small solar lights dotted the path. “Maisy’s with him.”

“Oh.” Landry looked back at the house, then toward the river. Three days ago, she wouldn’t have considered hunting him down.But things had changed. And he’d been quiet tonight. He’d stayed long enough to tuck Eliza in, but then slipped out. What if he wanted to be alone?

What if he was having second thoughts?

“Landry?” Mo pinched his lips together and pointed toward the river. “If you’re worried about Eliza, I’ll sit out here until you come back.” He winked. “No rush.”

“I, uh...”

“I don’t mind.”

“Oh. No. I...it’s not that.”

“Nervous?”

She caught a hint of wicked glee on Mo’s face before it returned to its usual flat state.

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