Page 68 of The Friendly Fall

“Yeah,” I say carefully, gauging her response.

She smiles. “She sure likes to see you a lot.”

That’s because I’m her fake boyfriend.

Chapter Twenty-Five

Eliza

“You know, I think we need to replace that back sliding door,” Dad says, leaning against his elbow as we all sit around the kitchen table.

Nick nods. “I’d be happy to change it out this weekend. I didn’t realize it wasn’t latching all that well.”

I take in the sight of him, his jaw dotted with stubble, and while he’s looking handsome as ever in a black Henley and light wash jeans, he looks …tired.

Maybe the Black Friday sale wore him out.

“You’re a really big help around here.” Dad beams, not even bothering to hide the fact that he’s drooling over Nick more than Iam—or, well, more than a real girlfriend would. “It was kind of you to rebuild the ramp free of charge…”

Nick brushes it off. “I just see it as my way to give back to the community.”

“Don’t let him fool you, Dad,” I chime in. “He’s basically a saint.”

Nick glances over at me, giving me a half-hearted smile. “Yeah, thanks.”

“You’re welcome,” I say, though something doesn’t sit quite right with the moment.

Something is wrong with Nick.

Worry creeps into my chest, wondering if everything is okay with the store and his family. I mean, surely, if there was something major going on, he would tell me … right?

As Dad and Nick continue to chat, I study my fake boyfriend, my mind running back to last night.

I want to do it all over again, and the fact that I do, is more of a punch to the gut than I expected.

IknowI’m feeling things for Nick now. And the question keeps coming back to my head:

Would it be worth it to love again?

I wrestle with the thought, checking out the way Nick’s hands are clasped in front of him against the cherry wood table. His hands are strong from all of the woodworking, but they were soft when they were on my waist.

I shiver at the thought of them on my bare skin.

Oh. My.Gosh.

“You need some water?” Granny’s question interrupts my thoughts as I whip my head around. She’s standing just a few feet from me, giving me a curious look.

Busted.

“Yeah, it’s just a little warm in here,” I say quickly, ignoring the curious expression on my dad and Nick’s face.

“Why don’t we go take a look at that door?” Dad suggests, pushing back from the table. “I can also show you the shop out back, too. It’s been a long time since we’ve opened it up, but you might have a use for some of the things in there. I don’t think it’s been messed with in years.”

“Yeah, that’s a great idea! I hadn’t ever thought to mention that to him,” Granny adds, giving them both a warm smile. “Some of that stuff is probably antique now—like me.”

Dad laughs. “Hey, antiques are worth a lot of money.”

Everyone chuckles—including Nick—but his eyes aren’t quite lighting up like usual.

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