Page 46 of Falling Hard for the Billionaire Cowboy

"Not as beautiful as you," he replies smoothly, and I feel my cheeks heat up.

"Come in," I manage to say, leading him towards the table. My eyes rove around, wondering if I've forgotten anything. Then I spot the wine bottle and glasses on the kitchen counter.

"Oh, let me just grab the-" I start, but Austin cuts me off.

"Allow me," he says, pulling out my chair. "You should sit. I'll get the wine."

I watch him from a distance as he retrieves the wine. With his back turned, I nervously pat my hair, trying to slick back any loose strands.

Then, he's back in a second, pouring the wine with ease. As he sits across from me, the warm light of the kitchen creates a soft glow around everything. I feel a flutter in my stomach that has nothing to do with hunger.

"This looks amazing, Hayley," Austin says, gesturing to the food. "You didn't have to go to all this trouble."

I laugh nervously, hoping he can't tell that it's takeout. "Oh, it was no trouble at all."

As we begin to eat, I find myself relaxing. The food is delicious (thank you, Vida's Diner), the conversation flows easily, and Austin's smile makes me feel warm all over.

Maybe this evening isn't a total disaster after all… well, I did a good job hiding it all.

I think –

Chapter twenty

AUSTIN

The sound of crickets chirping, along with the wind blowing against the grass blades, makes this moment seem more intense.

As I stare at Hayley's cottage door, my heart pounds in my chest and my mouth suddenly feels dry. The bouquet of flowers I picked this morning trembles slightly in my hand. In that moment, all I can think about is seeing her face.

I knock.

The moment Hayley opens the door, the air in my lungs ceases to exist. It's a familiar feeling these days, one that hits me every time I lay eyes on her. Her smile, the way her nose crinkles each time, sends a jolt through my entire body. Her eyes, filled with warmth, make me forget my own name for a split second.

"Hey there, cowboy," she says.

I am a whipped man.

I clear my throat, trying to remember how to form words. "Evening, Hayley," I manage to say, tipping my hat. "These arefor you." I hand her the bouquet, our fingers brushing lightly in the exchange.

"Thank you, they're beautiful," she replies, bringing the flowers to her nose and inhaling deeply.

Before I can stop myself, the words tumble out of my mouth. "But it could never be as beautiful as you."

There's a pause as we both stare at each other, the air between us charged with an electric tension. I can see a blush creeping up her cheeks, and I'm sure my face is just as red. I’m thankful for the Texas sun hiding the flush.

Finally, she breaks the silence. "Come in," she says softly, stepping aside to let me enter.

As I step into the cottage, I'm immediately struck by how much work Hayley has put into decorating the space. Soft, warm lights cast a cozy glow over the room, and I spot a few new paintings on the walls – all scenic pictures of our little town.

At the same time, a mouth-watering aroma wafts through the air, making my stomach growl. It smells familiar, almost like walking into a home. Whatever it is, I can tell Hayley has outdone herself.

As we begin speaking, I notice how she smiles nervously, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. The gesture sends a twinge through my chest, and I have to fight the urge to reach out and do it myself.

"Oh, let me just grab the-" she starts, but I cut her off.

"Allow me," I say, moving towards her chair. "You should sit. I'll get the wine."

I pull out her chair, partly to be a gentleman, but mostly to stop myself from making any other impulsive moves. As she sits, I make my way to the kitchen counter where a bottle of red wine is waiting.

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