Page 59 of The Friendly Fall

Eliza

Where is he?

My foot taps against the beige carpet in the living room, as my parents laugh and joke with Granny—which normally, I’d partake in. But right now,allI can think about is Nick, and how in the world we’re going to pull this off.

I mean, can we actually pretend to be together, and it not be awkward?

My eyes meet Granny’s for a split second, and all I see is amusement. I know she doesn’t approve of this scheme,but she told me herself that she can’t wait to witness what a potential catastrophe this might be.

Ugh. Please don’t let it be.

“When’s Nick supposed to be here?” Mom chirps, turning her attention to me. “I’m just so eager to meet this young man.”

I glance down at my unanswered text to him. “I don’t … I don’t know when he’ll be here. I haven’t heard from him. He’s probably busy with his family.”

Or he’s changed his mind.

My stomach knots up at the thought. Surely, if he changed his mind, he would send me a text to let me know, right?

“Well, he doesn’t get to see his sister and her little family all that much, since they live out of town,” Granny adds. “He’s probably just trying to soak in as much family time as he can. I think Martha said they’re leaving town tomorrow.”

Andthatmakes me feel guilty.

The knock on the door interrupts the conversation—and my feelings of shame. I jump to my feet, running over to it.

“She’s so excited to see him,” Mom says in a low, amused voice that she probably thought I couldn’t hear. They’re acting like I’m sixteen again…

But, if I’m honest, Iamkind of feeling that way right now.

I swing the door open, surprised at the version of Nick standing in front of me. He’s dressed in a pair of dark jeans, boots, and a cream-colored pullover. He’s clean shaven, and it shows off his defined jawline.

“Hey.” My heart flip-flops. “You look …nice,” I choke out, just as my eyes land on a big bouquet of fall-colored flowers. “Are those…?”

“For your mom,” he clarifies, giving me a lopsided smile and stepping into the entryway.

Oh.

I nod, and the sound of footsteps coming up from behind tells me that we’re not alone anymore. I turn to see my parents, eagerly standing there. “These are my parents,” I begin, gesturing to my dad, whose dark-rimmed glasses have slipped down his nose, and my mom, who’s dressed in an obnoxious sweater with a turkey on it, complete with googly eyes.

“It’s really nice to meet you.” Nick steps forward, extending the flowers to my mom. “These are for you.”

Mom’s smile gets a little bigger. “Oh, well, thank you. That was so sweet of you.”

“No problem at all.” Nick beams, before reaching out and grabbing my hand. “Your daughter means the world to me.”

The sincerity in his voice is surprising, and I’m in awe as he gives my hand a squeeze. My face flushes with heat, and I do my best to ignore the glassy look in my mom’s eyes.

She isreallyhappy about this.

“Well, I hope you all are hungry,” Granny interrupts the moment, her eyes dropping to our clasped hands. “This is gonna be agoodThanksgiving …dinner.”

I shoot her a warning glance, and Nick chuckles beside me. I can’t bring myself to look up at him, my face still feeling like it’s a hundreddegrees in the house. My heart thunders as we make our way to the dining room, and Nick drops my hand.

A shock of disappointment hits me in the gut.

What’s wrong with me today?

I try to brush it off as Nick pulls my chair out for me. “Thanks,” I mutter, still not mustering up the courage to look at him.

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