Page 142 of Falling for Love

“I have to say,” Evie teased, leaning against the counter while I chopped the potatoes, “I’m impressed. But I must know—how much of this is pure guesswork?”

I paused, knife hovering over the cutting board, and glanced at her sideways.

“Guesswork? Evie, this is a highly calculated process. Precision. Expertise. Years of instinct honed in kitchens across the globe. Just because I went to the urgent care once doesn’t mean I’m inept.”

She snorted. “Across the globe, huh? I seem to recall you asking me if ‘a pinch’ of seasoning was actually a measurable amount.”

“A good chef consults the experts. I was being thorough.”

She rolled her eyes as a smile spread across her lips.

“Sure, Liam. Whatever helps you sleep at night.”

I went back to chopping, but not without muttering,

“Thoroughly underrated culinary genius over here, and she’s questioning it.”

Evie stepped closer, peering at my work. “You know, those aren’t bad. A little uneven, but I’ll credit you for the effort.” She brushed her soft lips along my neck, and I nearly fell to my knees.

“That’s not safe,” I muttered, turning to look at her.

“Am I too intoxicating for you?” she teased, stepping back.

“Something like that.”

I tossed the potatoes onto the baking sheet with a touch of exaggerated flair.

As I slid the sheet into the oven, she crossed her arms and watched me, amusement lighting her face. “I hope you know how amazing you are.”

Her words took me aback, but I knew what she meant. I felt the same about her but couldn’t let this moment slip by.

“Evie, they’re just potatoes.”

She snickered.

“Just potatoes, huh? Is that what we’re calling it now?”

We stood there for a second, the teasing banter easing into something quieter. She glanced up at me, her gaze lingering long enough to make my pulse kick another notch.

“Thanks for dinner,” she said softly, her voice losing its teasing edge. “You didn’t have to go all out like this.”

“I wanted to,” I said, my voice low. “You deserve it.”

The moment stretched, charged with an energy I couldn’t get enough of. Her cheeks turned slightly pink, and she glanced away, breaking the spell.

“Better check the potatoes,” she said, her tone light again.

“Still have twenty minutes,” I said, not moving but grinning anyway.

As we moved around the kitchen, prepping the meal, I couldn’t help but watch her. The way she moved, the way she laughed at my terrible jokes—it all felt so natural, so easy.

When we sat down to eat, Hayden joined us, his cheeks still rosy from the cold. As we dug into our meal, I looked around the table and felt something I hadn’t felt in years: contentment.

This—this was what I’d been searching for.

And as Evie smiled at me from across the table, her eyes sparkling with warmth, I knew without a doubt that she was the one.

I just hoped she felt the same way.

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