Page 30 of Falling for Love

“Hayden,” I said in a hushed voice.

“He’s really nice.”

“Is that why you called me in here?”

“No. I wanted more soup.”

“I’ll go heat some up.” I returned to the kitchen, where Liam placed the cookie sheet on the stove.

“See,” he said, holding up his hands in mock offense. “I’m not completely hopeless in the kitchen.”

“I see that.” I poured soup into a bowl and zapped it in the microwave.

Liam took the soup and started toward the family room, calling out as he went, “Hayden, I brought your soup! And don’t worry—I left part of my finger in it, just like last time.”

Hayden’s giggles erupted, loud and pure, and I couldn’t help but laugh myself.

As I watched Liam disappear down the hall, the thought crept in before I could stop it.

What would it mean to let him in?

To let myself fall for someone like him—someone who made my son laugh like that, who made me feel seen in a way I hadn’t in years?

I didn’t know the answer yet. But I was starting to think I wanted to find out, which nearly scared me to death.

Liam walked in and leaned casually against the counter.

The faint smell of cookies still lingered in the air.

Liam’s voice broke into my thoughts. “So, does this mean you’re still on for coffee when Hayden’s back to his usual self?”

I hesitated, not because I didn’t want to, but because the thought of spending more time with him made me a little nervous.

Liam had a way of making me feel things I wasn’t sure I was ready for.

But I nodded, feeling the corners of my mouth lift into a smile. “Yeah. I’ll meet you for coffee once things settle down. Promise.”

He crossed his arms, leaning slightly forward. “Is that a real promise, or one of thoseI’ll get back to youpromises?”

“Real,” I said firmly, laughing at his mock-skeptical expression. “Scout’s honor.”

“Were you even a scout?”

“Nope.” I grinned, and he laughed, the sound warm and effortless. “Were you?”

“No. But, I’ll take what I can get. So, what’s your secret, anyway?”

“Secret?” I asked, tilting my head.

“Yeah, how do you manage to juggle everything? Work, Hayden, a dog that looks like he moonlights as a tornado… and somehow you make it look easy.”

I chuckled, shaking my head. “It’s not easy. Trust me. It’s a lot of routine. I’ve got schedules for everything. Breakfast, work, bedtime—it all has to run like clockwork, or the wheels fall off.”

“Routine’s that important, huh?” he asked, his tone curious but light.

“Yeah,” I said, nodding. “It was something I didn’t have much of growing up.”

His smile softened, but I quickly turned back to the counter, fiddling with the dish towel to avoid elaborating.

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