Page 11 of Falling For You

I turned to my brother. “Should we send them back?”

Liam’s eyes widened as he reached for an old-fashioned. “Are you crazy? Wisconsin rule number one—never turn down free booze.”

Evie chuckled and nodded. “I happen to agree.”

“Okay, fine.” I sighed and picked up the drink with a curled orange peel and cherry floating on top. I’d missed this staple when I was in Chicago. Wisconsin’s version is sweeter than Chicago’s and made with Brandy rather than whiskey more times than not, plus a splash of lemon-lime soda. All those little things that added up over time made me miss home.

The cold glass against my fingers sent a shiver through me as my brother raised his glass toward the stranger.

“Thanks, man,” Liam said with a grin. “Much appreciated.”

The man finally cracked a smile, and another delightful shiver ran through me, but it wasn’t because I was cold this time. The look in his eyes made my stomach dip and my toes tingle, which was incredibly annoying, considering his attitude was like all the men I’d left behind in Chicago.

“I don’t know what you two talked about earlier, but it must have made him happy.” Liam beamed and took a sip of the drink.

I eyed my brother and let out a deep sigh. “My guess is that these are apology drinks. He was a brat.”

Evie chuckled and nodded. “I can see it.”

My brother straightened and glanced at me. “Was he a jerk to you?”

Slowly sipping my drink, I looked at the guy staring at his phone.

Figured.

My eyes met my brother’s. “He wouldn’t answer my questions. Just kept telling me things were confidential.”

“What things?” Evie asked.

“I wanted to know who he was and why he was bopping around our neighbor’s land like he owned the place.”

A smile slipped over Evie’s lips, and she nodded. “I knew I liked you.”

“What about me?” Liam teased her.

“We’re still working on that.” She winked at him, and I suddenly wanted to make my exit.

The electricity between these two was palpable, and I was definitely the third wheel.

It was only a matter of time before I really put my foot in my mouth.

I took another sip of my drink and looked over at the guy sitting at the bar.

His strong jawline stayed rigid as he concentrated on his phone. A light scruff of stubble traced his chin, and his gaze intensified with each passing swipe.

He’d changed since this afternoon, dressing casually in a pair of dark jeans and a fitted maroon flannel shirt with rolled sleeves. My eyes rested on his toned arms a beat too long, and he glanced over. His thumb still scrolled through whatever was on his screen as a little smirk rested on his attractive features.

Evie and my brother chatted away, and I wanted to be anywhere but with them. Feeling like the third wheel was starting to feel very uncomfortable as Evie’s giggles got more pronounced and my brother slung one-liners in her direction.

Laughter from a nearby table filled the air, and the man had returned to staring at his phone. It was hard not to recognize how disconnected he was from the world around him.

Except for that pull to him.

I pushed my lips into a frown and drank a little more before our server came by to take our orders.

Liam’s foot found mine and pressed gently against my toes.

I yawned and polished off my drink. “Would you two be upset if I scurried over to that empty booth and read awhile? That drink really made me ready for bed.”

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