Page 69 of The Friendly Fall

I’ll ask him about it when I get a chance.

I make the mental note and push my chair back from the table, watching as Dad and Nick disappear through the house. I never really thought that he would be spending time with any of my family members alone, but for some reason, it doesn’t bother me.

“Your mom is making apple cider,” Granny remarks as we stand there in the kitchen. “You want some? Or should I get you a glass of cold water, instead? I saw the way you were looking at him.”

I make a face. “What? I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

She only laughs, shaking her head at me. “Uh huh, okay. I think I know a flustered woman when I see one.”

My face grows bright red and I don’t even know if I can argue with her. Thankfully, I don’t have to as my mom steps into the small dining room.

“Apple cider is ready, ya’ll.” She grins at me, her hair pinned half up. My mom looks about ten years younger than she actually is, and I hope like heck that I get those genes. But really, she’s gorgeous, with bright green eyes and blonde hair.

“Nick and Will went out to see Pop’s old workshop. It’s been a long time since anyone’s been in there…” Granny turns to my mom, giving her the same soft smile.

My heart squeezes at the grief on Granny’s face. I reach out to her and grab her hand. “We ought to clean it out then, and restore it back to its former glory.”

Granny shrugs. “Maybe. I just know that he’d want someone to make good use out of his things.”

“Well, you have Nick now,” Mom reasons, sending a wave of guilt through my body. “He might just be the missing piece that we’ve all needed. I can see how happy he makes Eliza, and he’s taking great care of the two of you.”

“He’s a really great kid.” Granny eyes me as the words slip from her lips. “I hope he stays around.”

I give them both a sheepish smile. “Well…”

Mom’s shoulder drop. “You’re not sure about him, are you?”

I ignore the feeling of Granny’s eyes boring into the side of my head. “Um … it’s not that I’m notsureabout him. He’s a really,reallyamazing guy. It’s just that…” My voice trails off as the realization hits me square in the chest. “I don’t want to give someone my everything, and then have them leave me cold … like Devon.” I feel a warm hand on my shoulder and look over to see Granny, her face full of sympathy.

“Devon really did you dirty, honey, but not every man is like him.”

“Yeah, but,” I counter, “he started out being a really good guy. He showered me with gifts and affection and made me feel like the whole world revolved around me.”

Mom nods as she pours three mugs of apple cider. “Well, that happens sometimes—and every relationship goes through a honeymoon phase. However, I have to admit that we saw the change in Devon … and thereweresome red flags.”

“He was a walking red flag,” I mutter, rolling my eyes at my own ignorance. “I just didn’t want to admit that he was.”

“And do you think Nick is a walking red flag, or however you say that?” Granny bumps my hip with hers.

I hesitate, racking my brain.

Do I think Nick has any red flags?

“I … I don’t know.”

“He works a lot,” Mom points out, handing Granny and me our mugs. “That could be considered a con—not a red flag, though.”

“He’s also never really had a serious relationship,” Granny adds.

“That’s because he’s never left this town,” I reason with a light laugh. “If he lived anywhere else, I’m pretty sure he would’ve had alotof girlfriends. Women would be all over him.”

“That’s probably true,” Granny agrees, smiling. “But I guessyouget to be the lucky girl who snags him, huh?”

I nod but I don’t feel the win at all. In fact, I’m feeling evenworseabout everything.

Because Nickisn’tmine.

“I think he’s a good guy. I don’t know him the way that you two do, but I have to say, he’s really impressed me since we met him yesterday.” Mom blows across her mug, sending a ripple through the cider. “I think that so far, he fits really well with our family. And come on, I know you two would make somecutekids.”

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