Page 63 of Falling for Love

Again.

Liam grinned, looking deep into my gaze.

“You know, Evie, if you wanted to kiss me, you could’ve just asked. No need to fake a near-death experience.” His grin widened. “Again.”

I felt my cheeks go up in flames.

“I—what? No! That wasn’t—” I stepped back quickly as he loosened his embrace. “I just… I tripped.”

“Uh-huh,” he said, clearly enjoying my flustered state. “Sure, you did.”

“I did. And you’re lucky I didn’t take your pie down with me.”

“Trust me,” he said, holding the box up like a trophy. “This pie is sacred. I would’ve gone down fighting for it.”

I chuckled and gestured for him to come inside, and he stepped past me, brushing off the cold as he did.

The warmth of the house wrapped around us, and I closed the door, taking a deep breath to compose myself.

“Thanks for bringing dessert. What kind is it?” I walked toward the kitchen, and he was behind me as I forced myself to gain composure. I wasn’t usually the clumsy type, but I became a hot mess around him.

“Apple crumble,” he said, setting the wine and box on the counter. “Thought it might pair nicely with spaghetti. Or, you know, be a consolation prize if I burn the noodles.”

“You’re not touching the noodles,” I said with mock seriousness. “I’ve got everything under control.”

He raised an eyebrow, his grin widening. “Is that so? Because you’re one trip away from disaster from where I'm standing.”

“I swear I’m not usually that inept.” I swatted at him with a dish towel.

“I know.” He nodded, still smiling. “My charming ways must just bring it out in you.”

If only he knew how true that was…

“You’re never going to let me live that down, are you?” My brows lifted.

“Not a chance,” he said, leaning casually against the counter. “But hey, it’s part of your charm.”

I rolled my eyes but couldn’t stop smiling.

I could never stay embarrassed with Liam long. He had this way of turning even the most mortifying moments into something funny and light.

“Alright, Mr. Perfect Reflexes. Since you’re so good at saving pies, how are you with pouring wine?”

“Consider it handled,” he said, reaching for the bottle. He opened it with practiced ease and poured each of us a glass, handing one to me with a slight bow.

“To not tripping over welcome mats,” he said, raising his glass.

“To saving sacred pies,” I countered, clinking my glass against his.

We both took a sip, the wine warming me in more ways than one.

As Liam sat at the table, I couldn’t help but take a moment to appreciate him. He looked so at ease in my home, like he belonged here. It was a thought that scared me as much as it thrilled me.

“Are you just going to stand there admiring me, or are we going to eat?” he teased, snapping me out of my thoughts.

“Keep dreaming. I was not.” I snickered.

I put a pot of water to boil and felt Liam’s gaze on me.

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