Page 40 of Falling for Love

His words reminded me of what I’d been missing in my life.

Anything I can do to help?

Liam’s message popped up.

I’m good. You’d probably start ghosting me for real if you saw me in this condition. It’s not good.

One thing I knew was that I wasn’t going to let him sit and suffer alone, even if he was playing things off.

Another message popped up.

Just promise me you’ll still meet me for a coffee date when I’m better.

How did he always manage to make me feel important? I knew I needed to do something for him, to return the kindness he’d shown me and Hayden.

Promise.

I leaned back and stared at my phone. Even when he was as sick as a dog, he was upbeat.

Liam might think he was fine on his own, but I wouldn’t let him suffer without a bit of relief. And I knew exactly what I was going to do.

As I drove home, a plan started taking shape, and by the time I pulled into my driveway, I was smiling.

Tomorrow, Liam Harper was in for a surprise.

Chapter Nine

Evie

I stood in my kitchen and carefully ladled tomato soup into mason jars. The rich, garlicky smell filled the room, and my stomach growled.

But this wasn’t for me. It was for Liam.

I glanced at the box on the counter, waiting for its contents, which would include the soup, a box of saltine crackers, and a few cans of ginger ale.

It wasn’t much, but it was a start.

I reached for some cookies, placing a few carefully in a small tin. Hayden would have protested giving away his favorite dessert, but I was in the clear since he was at school. I couldn’t very well bring soup without a little something sweet to balance it out.

Then, I added the pièce de résistance—two books I’d grabbed from my shelf. One was titledLove Is Like a Flat Tire: Fix It or Roll With ItandThe Upside Down Business of Everyone’s Business.

I’d received both from my mom when she felt both areas in my life were lacking. I chuckled to myself as I nestled them into the box. Hopefully, Liam will get a kick out of them.

“These might not cure you,” I muttered, “but at least they’ll make you laugh.”

Satisfied, I sealed the mason jar, tied a bit of twine around the tin of cookies, and tucked everything neatly into the box.

I stood back, surveyed my work, and moved my hands to my hips. At least I didn’t include a love letter. But it felt good to do something for him. After all, he’d gone out of his way for me and Hayden. The least I could do was return the favor.

Grabbing my keys and coat, I carried the box out to my truck. The air was crisp as tiny snowflakes danced around as I loaded the package into the passenger seat.

I climbed in, started the engine, and cranked the heat.

The drive to his place wasn’t long, but it took me farther from town than expected. The road wound through a dense patch of woods, the trees bare and skeletal against the white winter sky.

The isolation was beautiful in a quiet, understated way, but it wasn’t what I had imagined when I thought of Liam. For some reason, I imagined him to be close to town so he could hang out at a bar or something, living the single-guy life.

Then, I saw it.

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