Page 38 of The Friendly Fall

“It’s a big city. I can see how you’d feel that way,” I remark. “Sometimes though, I wish I’d moved away—at least for a little bit.”

She turns to face me. “You never went to college?”

My face heats up with embarrassment. “Um, no. I…” My voice trails off as I recall my dad all those years ago. “I didn’t end up going to school. My dad got really sick. I stayed behind to help run the store. He ended up passing away, and I just never got around to it after that.”

She reaches out to squeeze my hand gently. “I’m sorry to hear that. It sounds like you made a tough decision, but a loving one.”

I offer her a small smile, grateful for her understanding. “Thanks. It was hard at the time, but I don’t regret it. Family comes first, you know?”

She nods in agreement.

“Anyway, are you planning on staying in West Falls long?” I ask her.

She hesitates, leaning back and meeting my gaze as the band’s soft country tune begins to fill the night air around us. “I don’t know, but I’m open to it. I think I might like to settle down in a place that’s like this. I kinda like the slower pace.”

“Me, too.” I smile. “I always thought I’d raise a family here.”

“Yeah?” Eliza perks up, brushing some of her hair out of her face. “I’m honestly surprised that you’re still single. You seem like a great guy—a saint, really.”

I laugh. “Not a saint, but I, uh…” My voice trails off as I wring my hands. “I’m not very good at all that dating stuff—never have been. It’s a small town, so there aren’t a lot of opportunities to meet people. And the people Idomeet, don’t usually want to stick around West Falls,” I explain. “Heck, even my ownsistermoved away the first chance she got. That said, I’m now the only one here who can help out my mom. So … I never really saw the point in looking too hard for something more. Being there for my family has always been my priority.”

Her eyes soften as she listens. “I get that. Family is important.” She pauses, her gaze drifting to the crackling flames. “But you deserve happiness too, you know?”

“Yeah, yeah that’s what my mom and sister say too.” I chuckle. “But what about you?” I ask carefully, not wanting to push her. “You seem like a catch.”

Eliza bursts into laughter. “Me? Acatch? Ha! You should try telling my ex-boyfriend of eight years that…”

“That’s a long time to be with someone,” I comment, watching as Eliza’s laughter fades into a wistful smile. “What happened?”

She shakes her head, her gaze now fixed on the crackling flames. “I guess we just … wanted different things. He’s hyper-focused on his law career, and climbing the corporate ladder. And he thoughtIshould be happy doing the same thing. But … I was ready to settle down and start a family with him. I mean, that’s what you do when you’ve been together for so long, right? Except, he couldn’t see beyond his next big case, his next promotion. And in the end, we just grew apart.”

I nod in understanding, seeing the sadness flicker in Eliza’s eyes. “It must’ve been hard.”

“It was,” she admits quietly. “And I won’t be dating again for averylong time because of it. But … I think the breakup was the wake-up call I needed to realize what I truly want in life.”

My heart sinks as I realize this means I most likely havenochance with her … And while I understand why she feels the way she does, there’s a small part of me that wants to prove to her that not all men are like her ex-boyfriend.

I glance down at my hands, not sure what to say.

“You wanna dance?” Eliza asks suddenly, and I look up, seeing her eyes zeroed in on the couples spinning around the dance floor.

My stomach flips. “I don’t really dance…”

“Why not?” She turns back to me, standing to her feet and extending her hand. “I bet you know how.”

“To a slow song, maybe. But … I didn’t even go to my high school prom.”

“Okay, well, that’s sad.” Eliza laughs, grabbing my hand and tugging. “Let’s go make up for it then.”

Friends can dance.

That’s all she’s saying.

Reluctantly, I join her, letting her lead me toward the makeshift dance floor. My eyes scan the crowd, landing on the faces of my mom and Ms. Marilyn, both seated at a table…

Watching us.

Of course.

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