Page 60 of My Greatest Joy

Fallon snorts.

“My grandma’s tried to recreate it, but no one can figure out how to make them correctly. If you do, I’ll pay top dollar,” Finn tells her.

“It’seightgenerations,” I muse.

“Just spill it already. I won’t tell a soul.”

“What’s so secret about it?” Fallon asks, glancing back and forth between us.

“If I told ya, I’d have to marry ya.” I shoot her a wink.

Fallon gives me a mischievous grin. “I thought you were allergic to the M word.”

Finn and Oakley bellow out in laughter.

“Nah, still searching for the right one who can handle me,” I state, hoping she gets the hint.

“Well, good luck finding her,” Fallon mocks.

“Oh, you’ll settle down eventually. You’re a big ole cinnamon roll, and eventually, you’ll find your Cinnabon,” Oakley tells me.

“Thanks for believing in me,” I say with a laugh.

Oakley and Finn carry the glasses to the kitchen, and Fallon bumps her body against mine.

“Cinnamon roll, huh?”

I give her a smile. “Are you really surprised?”

“That must explain why you’re so warm on the outside and gooey on the inside.”

I wish I could place my fingers at the bottom of her chin and kiss the fire out of her. Our eyes stay locked as she licks her bottom lip. For a few seconds, everything around us disappears,and I watch her eyes flutter closed. Before I can lean in to kiss her, Oakley walks over with a six-pack of hard cider.

“Wanted to give this to you since it’s your favorite,” she explains.

I grab it, and when Fallon looks at which flavor it is, Oakley mouths, “Sorry,” realizing she interrupted a moment. I give a slight shake of my head, then check the time, knowing we need to get going.

As we stand to say our goodbyes, I congratulate my friends again on their engagement, then drive us home.

“I like them a lot,” Fallon admits, and it makes my heart happy to hear that. I can almost imagine her staying here forever. Even if it’s wishful thinking, the thought makes me smile.

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

FALLON

DAY 10

I type awayon my laptop and sip my coffee between my thoughts.

Yesterday, while Levi was at work, I drove into Maplewood Falls and met the mayor. He took it upon himself to give me a personal tour, picking up right where Levi left off.

To be honest, it was hard to take him seriously when he was dressed like Santa Claus. He was in good spirits and sangho, ho, hoto each child who walked past. I tried to smile when I was supposed to, knowing how much my mother would’ve loved this place.

It’s amazing to see so many welcoming of his presence. If the previous mayor of Seattle walked into my office at work, I’d have some choice words. This community acts like a big family, even when Levi isn’t around.

I can’t count how many times people have asked about me staying at Levi’s. News spreads fast in small towns.

As I continue typing, I’ll randomly glance at all the notes I took on my phone. Even though that was yesterday, my brain isstill full and overwhelmed. My fingers fly across the keyboard, the sentences pouring out of me like water. I’m trying my best to stay professional and keep my personal bias out of my prose. However, it’s hard at times.

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