Page 72 of The Friendly Fall

She giggles. “Well, that’s one way to get you to come over and hang out.”

“Yeah, maybe,” I say, my humor draining. “Anyway, have a good evening, Eliza. I’ll see you around.”

“Um, okay,” she mutters. “See ya.”

I hang up, letting out a sigh.

She sounded a little flirty on the phone, but at the same time … I’m not even sure if she’s flirting or just being friendly, anymore.

I don’t trust my gut anymore after the night we kissed.

Parking the truck in front of the hardware store, I take a look around, noting that it’s empty other than Mom’s SUV. It’s a relief, mostly just because I’m not in the mood to deal with customers. I slam the truck door and head inside, the doorbell ringing as I enter.

“Be with you in just a moment,” Mom calls from somewhere in the back.

“Just me,” I call back to her. “You can go ahead and go—I’ll lock up. I don’t want you to have to rush around for your … date.” I swallow hard as the word rolls off my tongue. It doesn’t bother me that Mom is going on a date—she’s actually been on them before—it’s just that dating in general feels like a sore subject right now.

“You’re the best, son.” Mom appears from the back, her hair up in a messy bun. “I’m really excited about this one.”

I raise my brow. “Yeah? Another Farmer’s Only date?”

She rolls her eyes. “You know as well as I do that I can’t work those websites. Besides, I’ve watched enough documentaries to know better.”

Laughing, I nod. “Well, you’re not wrong, and I do kind of like Vince.”

That makes her smile. “He’s a good man from what I can tell. I just … I don’t want to get too excited about it.” Her smile fades. “I never thought I’d be out in the dating world, and the challenges are no fun.”

“I get that,” I huff, leaning my backside against the counter. “I think I’ve pretty much just given up.”

“Even on Eliza?”

My lip twitches. “Yeah, even on Eliza. After Thanksgiving, I just … I don’t know. I think I just kept hoping that she would magically change her mind about me, but all I did was read too much into everything. I think it’s better for me to just accept it for what it is.”

“But…” Mom begins, shifting her weight as she removes her apron. “You’ve never actuallytoldher how you feel about her. I know I sound like a broken record, but it’s true.”

“It doesn’t matter how I feel when she’s made it clear thatfriendsare all she wants to be,” I argue, feeling a glimmer of irritation boiling in my chest. “I’m not the kind of guy who’s pushy or willing to bedesperate for someone. I’ve decided to be her friend—but maybe not as close as before. It doesn’t work for me.”

A sympathetic expression fills my mom’s face. “Okay, son. Well, I support whatever you decide to do. You know what’s best for you, and if that’s what it is … well, then that’s what it is. I’m glad you’re putting yourself first for once.”

“Thanks,” I mutter, even though it doesn’t feel that great. “Anyway, you better get going. Vince might be the next Prince Charming.”

Mom laughs, but her words are sobering. “Oh, I doubt that. There’s no such thing as Prince Charming. But if he did exist, he left me a long time ago. No one will ever replace the love that I have for your dad.”

“But I know he’d want you to be happy, and to have companionship,” I say. We’ve had the conversation before, and thankfully, my sister feels the same way. We’ve never pressured our mom to do anything other than what makes her happy.

And honestly, I don’t want to see her alone for the rest of her life.

“Well, I guess we’ll see if Vince makes me happy, huh?” she teases, poking me in the arm. “He’s a deacon at the church if that counts for anything.”

I shrug. “I don’t care what he is if he doesn’t treat you right.”

She rolls her eyes. “Ah, there’s my protective son. I was wondering where he went.”

“Oh, I might want you to be happy, but I’m always willing to kick some—”

The doorbell chiming captures both of our attention as we turn to look toward the front door. Eliza is standing there, holding a paper bag.

“I thought maybe you’d like dinner?” Eliza offers, extending it. “I got some for myself, too, but I can always eat mine on my own.”

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