Page 81 of The Friendly Fall

“I’ll definitely tell him if he asks.” I laugh. “I’m pretty sure he’ll find thatreallyentertaining.” We gather up our things and head back to the house, our shoes crunching across the light layer of snowthat’s still on the ground. As we make it inside, I have a feeling of accomplishment…

And nervousness.

Lots of nervousness.

Chapter Thirty

Nick

“I’m going to head out and get some lunch,” Mom says, slipping off her apron. “Is that okay? I should be back around one, I think.”

“Meeting up with Vince?” I ask nonchalantly, noting that she’s a little more dressed up than usual.

She blushes. “Yeah, I sure am.”

“Well,” I smile. “I hope you have a great time. You deserve it.”

Mom appears to be beaming as she hangs up her apron and squeezes my shoulder, passing me by. “I happen to think that you deserve to find your person, too.”

I thought Idid…

“Maybe one of these days,” I say instead. “Can’t put a timeline on love—or however that saying goes.”

Mom laughs softly. “You’re a wise man. I’ll see you in a little bit.”

“See ya,” I say as she exits the store, the door shutting behind her with a clang. I stand behind the counter for a few moments, feeling happy for my mom. Although I struggled at first with the thought of her being with anyone other than my dad, as time has gone by—and I’ve grown up some—I know that Dad would want her to be happy.

And he’d want the same for me.

I brush off the thought, mostly because Iamhappy. It’s only Eliza that’s got my head in a twist. I grab the clipboard from the wall with the list of things that need to be done today. There’s not a lot, and most are just general cleaning. Sighing, I set it down on the counter.

It’s been a slow day.

Just as I’m about to slip off to the back to grab the lunch that I packed myself, the door jingles.

“Hey, man,” the potential customer greets me as soon as he walks through the door.

I turn around to see who it is, not recognizing the voice. The man’s eyes gowide.He looks startled to see me, but I don’t even recognize him. He’s wearing a suit, which stands out in a town like this. In fact, the guy looks like he’s right out of the catalog that my mom gets in the mail for formal clothes. Why she gets those? I still don’t know.

“What can I help you with, sir?” I say as he approaches the counter, a blank expression on his face now.

“Um, well, I was hoping to get some directions to this address.” He slides a piece of paper across the counter. “My GPS on my phone isn’t bringing it up.”

“Yeah, that happens out here,” I say, plucking the paper up and taking a look. My heart sinks, and I glance back up at the guy. I’m not one hundred percent positive, but I have a feeling the blonde-headed man standing in front of me is the same man that I’ve been slightly jealous of for a few months now.

Devon.

“So, do you know where it is?” There’s an edge to his tone that makes my hair stand on end. “I have a good feeling you do.”

“Yeah, I do.” My voice shifts to a gruff tone. “Not meaning to be nosy”—I slide the paper back to him—“but what do you need with it?”

“Well,” he clears his throat and straightens up. “My girlfriend has been staying there.”

“You mean, yourex-girlfriend,” I clarify, completely unphased by the arrogant jerk. I know his type, and I can’t believe that Eliza wasted her heart on a guy like this.

“Yeah, she is right now, but I’m here to win her back. I was the one who broke her heart, and she begged me to stay. But I’m ready to settle down and be who she needs,” he says, his tone matter of fact. “She’ll be elated to see me, I know.”

I raise my brows. “Are you sure? She might be over you by now.”

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