Page 50 of The Friendly Fall

Pursing my lips, I stay quiet for a few moments, ripping my eyes away from Eliza. “I don’t know about any of that. We’re just friends.”

“Yeah, for now,” Daniel says with a shrug, talking a little louder now that everyone has headed off to the house—including Eliza. “I don’t know why you won’t just talk to her about how you feel. There’s clearly somethin’ between you two.”

My mind flashes to the text from her ex lighting up her phone. “Maybe that’s howIfeel about it, but she’s going through some stuff right now.”

Daniel’s brow furrows. “You mean, she’s still hung up on her ex, right? Vanessa talks to her,” he adds quickly when my expression fills with suspicion. “It’soverbetween the two of them, man. I think she’s just been slow to move on because she was with him for like eight years or something. I’m sure that takes some time to get over. They lived together—the whole shebang.”

I nod, my stomach curling at the thought of Eliza being with someone like that. “Ah, yeah … well…” My voice trails off as the jealousy continues to hover over me. “I don’t know.”

“Just give it some time.” Daniel flashes a reassuring smile.

Right.

Thirty minutes later, we’re moseying down the street while the kids run off to knock on doors. Eliza and I arefinallynear each other again, after she opted to ride with my sister and her kids instead of with me.

“Tonight has been amazing.” Eliza turns to look up at me, her eyes glassy beneath the setting sun. “I love your family.”

“I’m pretty sure they love you too,” I say with a laugh, shoving my hands into my jacket pocket. We’ve fallen a few car lengths back from everyone, and the moment of being mostly alone with her is a welcomed relief.

“Aw.” She smiles, just as some of her blonde hair falls in her eyes.

My heart pounds as I reach for the silky strands, brushing them out of her face. My fingertips brush the soft skin of her cheek, and it feels like everything around us just …stops.

I don’t know why I did that, and the surprise on Eliza’s face makes it clear she feels the same way.

“Sorry,” I mutter, clearing my throat and retreating from the touch.

She lets out an unnerved giggle. “It’s okay. My hair is a mess.”

I eye her. “I wouldn’t say that.”

“I would,” she jokes, elbowing me. “Thanks for tonight. I think it was just what I needed.”

“Yeah?”

She bobs her head before reaching out and grabbing my arm, stopping us in the street. “I mean it. Thank you.” Eliza holds my gaze with those deep green eyes, her thick lips turned up in a smile. Sincerity is written all over her face, and she still hasn’t let go of my arm.

I swallow the nerves building in my chest. “Anytime. You know”—I clear my throat—“I really enjoy the time we spend—”

“Oh, shoot,” Eliza cuts me off as she suddenly glances down at her smartwatch. “I need to go.”

“Of course,” I choke out in the nicest tone possible. “Thanks for coming. I can walk you back to your house?”

She shakes her head and laughs. “It’s just right there; I don’t need an escort. I’ll see you around, Nick.” Eliza gives me one last smile before leaving me standing in the middle of the street. There are tons of kids and people around, but I have to admit, at the moment, I feel like I’m the only one.

Chapter Eighteen

Eliza

Bzz. Bzz.

I’ve been editing family portraits for hours. So the sound of my phone buzzing on the desk is a welcome distraction. I swoop it up, seeing my mom’s picture lighting up the screen.

“Hey, Mom,” I greet her.

“Hey,” she says in a bright tone. “So I was just calling because Dad and I talked about Thanksgiving this year, and we’re having a change of plans.”

“Oh?” I raise a brow, glancing up at the calendar. “I thought Granny and I were flying out the Tuesdaybefore.”

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