Page 130 of Falling for Love

Hayden launched into a series of exaggerated burps, and Liam clapped like he’d just witnessed a Broadway performance.

“Bravo!” Liam said, holding up his hands. “You’re a true artist.”

“You’re encouraging him.”

Liam shrugged. “What can I say? The kid’s got talent.”

“Unbelievable talent.”

“You should see what else I can do,” Hayden boasted as I laughed, hugging him into me.

“Let’s save some for another time.”

“Ah, Mom.” He laughed and dashed out of the room.

As we cleared the table together, Liam kept sneaking glances at me, and I felt a blush creeping up my neck. He was so natural with Hayden, so easy to be around, and it scared me how much I wanted to hold onto this feeling.

“Thanks for letting me crash dinner tonight.”

“Crash? You brought all the food,” I pointed out.

“Details. Seriously, though. I had a great time.”

“Me too,” I admitted, and I meant it.

“Good. Because I was thinking... maybe we could do this at my place next time?”

“Next time?” I echoed, my stomach doing a little flip.

“Yeah,” he said, his grin softening into something more genuine. “Next time.”

I didn’t answer immediately, but the way he looked at me made it hard to say no. The thought of a next time, of more nights like this, sent a thrill through me that I couldn’t quite ignore.

Finally, I smiled and said, “We’ll see.”

Liam’s eyes sparkled with mischief. “I’ll take it.”

As he leaned back against the counter, I realized that for the first time in a long time, I wasn’t just surviving. I was living. And Liam... well, Liam had a way of making everything feel like it was possible.

Chapter Thirty-Three

Liam

I stood on Evie’s porch, the warmth of her kiss lingering on my lips like a secret I wanted to keep replaying in my mind. She smiled at me, her hair tousled by the crisp evening breeze, and I could still feel the press of her fingers on my arm as she said goodnight.

"Drive safe," she said softly, her eyes catching the golden glow of her porch light.

"I will," I promised, hesitating momentarily, reluctant to leave. “Lock up behind me.”

She nodded, her smile small but kind as she closed the door.

I waited until I heard the soft click of the lock before heading down the steps to my truck.

The night was quiet, except for the snow under my boots. I climbed into the cab and turned on the heat, rubbing my hands together as I let the engine warm up. As I glanced back toward her house, the cozy glow from inside made me feel at ease. Thatwas the thing about Evie—she had a way of making everything feel like home.

But as I backed out of her driveway, something caught my eye. A car was parked a few houses down, barely visible in the dim streetlight. The faint glow of a phone screen illuminated the driver’s face, and he was looking straight at Evie’s house.

I pulled to a stop, gripping the wheel. The guy didn’t move, didn’t even glance my way. He was just sitting there in the freezing cold, as still as a statue.

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