Page 12 of Falling for Love

“You’re trouble, Liam.” I shook my head. “I don’t think I’d know what to do with you.”

He laughed, and the sound was rich and warm.

Before I could respond, Hayden came barreling into the kitchen with Lance close on his heels.

“Mom, Lance knocked over the lamp. He’s a bad knight!”

I laughed and crouched down to his level. “Well, Sir Lancelot can’t help himself. He’s all about action. I think we can rebuild Henry, don’t you?”

Liam stood, quirking a brow. “You named a lamp?”

“It’s not a lamp. It’s a king,” I countered.

“Oh, right.” Liam shook his head. “My bad. The lamp is a king, and the dog is a knight.”

Hayden grinned and nodded, then turned his attention to Liam. “Will you help us?”

Liam set his plate down, his expression softening as he looked at Hayden. “Of course, Buddy. What kind of nobleman would I be if I didn’t?”

Hayden grabbed Liam’s good hand and tugged him toward the living room, his excitement contagious.

Liam shot me a grin over his shoulder. “Looks like I’m being recruited.”

“Careful,” I called after them. “You might find yourself in a pillow fight.”

“I’m not afraid of some soft fluffy pillows,” he said, winking before disappearing into the other room.

I stood there momentarily, listening to their laughter drift through the air.

My heart felt full in a way I hadn’t expected. Liam fit so seamlessly into our chaos. It scared me how natural it felt.

How much I wanted him to stay.

We’d had three dates.

That was it.

Because I didn’t want it to get here.

And yet,heresomehow managed to work its way into my life.

“You’re going to owe me big for this,” Liam called to me, his voice full of mock seriousness. “This dog is relentless.”

“The dog? I thought it would be my son,” I yelled back.

“Him too,” Liam yelped.

“Welcome to my world,” I said, crossing my arms as I watched the scene unfold.

Liam turned, a mischievous gleam in his eyes.

“Think you could lend a hand, or are you just going to stand there looking cute?”

My jaw dropped, and I felt a laugh bubble up before I could stop it.

Looking cute? I worked with horses all day, and I couldn’t remember the last time someone said I looked cute.

Fifth grade, maybe?

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