Page 17 of Falling for Love

She wrote back within seconds.

By whom? Your mom?

I cracked up in disbelief that she just used a mom joke.

Okay, ouch. That’s a point for you.

I leaned back against the couch, grinning like an idiot.

She hadn’t said yes yet, but she was still texting. That was something, right? I took a sip of my empty bottle and laughed at myself. I had it bad.

So, I tried again.

Let me guess—you’re busy wrangling horses every morning and don’t have time for pancakes?

She texted me a response that made me pause.

Pretty much. And dogs. And a seven-year-old who thinks carrots go in noses.

But I didn’t want her to get out of this date for some reason. I felt like if I lost her this time, I’d be all out of chances.

Impressive multitasking, but even superheroes need a break.

She sent a smile emoji and another text.

Now I’m a superhero?

You’re the closest thing Buttercup Lake has to one.

The typing bubble appeared, then disappeared, and I stared at the screen, willing her to respond.

Come on, Evie. Just say yes.

Three little letters.

Maybe I went too hard. The superhero thing was probably too much.

But then, finally, her reply came through.

Fine. But no blender stories at breakfast.

My heart soared, and I couldn’t hide the grin.

She’d said yes.

I wrote back my promise as we finalized the time.

The one thing I knew about Evie was that punctuality was everything to her.

I stared at the screen long after her last message, replaying the exchange in my mind. She could’ve brushed me off, made an excuse, or gone radio silent like before.

But she didn’t. She’d said yes, and that felt monumental.

I couldn’t help but laugh at myself, shaking my head.

All this over a breakfast date? But it wasn’t just breakfast—it was a chance to keep the door open, to show her I wasn’t going anywhere. Evie was guarded, and I respected that. She’d been through a lot and deserved someone who wouldn’t let her down.

Still, part of me worried.

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