Page 70 of The Friendly Fall

“Mom!” I feel my face growing hot again. “Please! It’swaytoo early to be talking about that.”

She shrugs, giving me a grin. “I don’t know … your dad proposed after onlythreemonths of dating, and we were married less than a year later. When you know, you know.”

“I know the story,” I grumble, fighting the urge to roll my eyes. I spent the entire relationship with Devon wondering why, after so many years, he still hadn’t decided that I was the right one for him.

Although, I guess it’s a good thing, because clearly, I wasn’t.

“It’s all going to work out the way it should,” Granny cuts in, just as the back door opens. “We’ll just have to see.”

“Yes, we will.” Mom shoots me a wink as Nick and Dad join us in the kitchen again.

“IknewI smelled cider.” Dad laughs, squeezing Nick’s shoulder. “I told ya!”

“You were right.” Nick chuckles. “You’ve got the nose of a hound dog.” They both crack up in this obnoxious manly laughter, and I blink a few times, eyeing my mom and Granny. They’re both looking at Nick and Dad with stars in their eyes.

Hedoesfit in with us; almost scarily so.

“Would you like some cider?” Mom offers Nick.

“Well, actually…” Nick’s hesitates, looking over at me. “I really need to get home. I have some things to do around the house that I’ve gotten behind on, and I have another full work day tomorrow.”

“It is getting pretty late.” Mom glances at the clock on the wall. “We sure enjoyed getting to see you today.”

“Likewise,” Nick replies warmly. He bids my family goodbye—giving hugs and promising to see them again—and I’m stuck trying to decide if it’s part of the charade or if he means it.

Stupid fake relationship.

“I’ll walk you to your truck,” I mutter, following him to the door. He doesn’t say anything as we pull on our coats and step out into the cool night air. Once again, we crunch our way to where his truck is parked, the full moon illuminating the area.

“Your dad is a great man,” Nick says, his eyes not meeting mine. “It’s really something that you have such a great relationship with your parents.”

“Thanks…” My voice trails off as we finally meet gazes. My heart thunders in my chest, and if it weren’t for the rustling of the trees, Iwould swear that he could hear it pounding against my ribcage. “It’s been so nice having you here with my family,” I blurt out in the tense moment.

Nick raises his brows. “Yeah, you know, I could’ve just come as your friend. It didn’t have to be likethis.” Something in his voice catches me off guard, and I struggle to understand. “But anyway.” He shifts before I can comment. “I’m going to come over on Sunday afternoon and take care of that back glass door. After that, I think I’ll be able to get out of your hair for a while—no more projects here.”

“You haven’t been here just for projects,” I say, my voice dropping off. “I don’t … I don’t understand.”

He shakes his head. “I just mean that I won’t be around here after that.”

I don’t understand why he’s saying what he is, but it almost feels like it’s a jab. “Nick, is something wrong?”

His blue eyes meet mine, stormy and nearly gray. “No, not at all,” his voice is bright, but it doesn’t match what’s reflected in his gaze. “I’m just a little tired. I’ll see ya around, Eliza.”

“Wait…”

But it’s too late. As the words leave my lips, he’s already pulling out of the driveway.

Andeverythingfeels wrong.

Chapter Twenty-Six

Nick

“Eliza is gone for a shoot today,” Granny says as I maneuver the old door off to the side, leaning it against the white siding of the house.

“I know,” I say.

She lets out a hum. “Things not good between the two of you?”

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