Page 65 of Falling for Love

“Flattery isn’t going to get you extra sauce,” I said, grinning as I reached for the ladle.

“Noted. I’ll save my charm for dessert negotiations.”

“Good plan. Speaking of charm, what’s the latest on Red Barn Cider?”

“We’re negotiating right now. My family probably thinks I’m nuts.”

“I don’t.” I put pasta on the plate and ladled sauce over the noodles. “I think it would be great for weddings too.”

“Weddings, huh?” His brows lifted, and my cheeks warmed for some odd reason.

It wasn’t like I said my wedding, but the way his eyes lingered on mine made every cell in my body ignite.

“Yup. It’s a perfect place to put gardens or anything else.”

“See? You get it. My sisters think I’m insane.”

“I mean, they might be right,” I teased.

Liam laughed as Hayden came into the kitchen.

“Perfect timing. Dinner is served.” I smiled at Hayden as he sat at his usual spot.

“Thanks, Mom.”

I plated our food and sat at the table, forcing myself not to play make-believe that something like this could happen.

“When do you think you’ll hear back about the deal?” I asked, genuinely curious.

“What deal? Hayden asked.

“Liam is hoping to open a little place that makes cider.”

“Oh, cool. You should have hayrides, too.”

Liam studied my son and nodded. “You know what? That’s a fabulous idea.”

Hayden grinned and slurped his pasta.

Liam took a bite of the pasta and groaned. “Amazing.”

Hayden turned to look at him. “It’s my recipe.”

“No way.”

“Yup. Isn’t it, Mom?

“Sure is.” I nodded, taking a sip of wine and wishing I hadn’t noticed how good Liam was with Hayden.

Chapter Fifteen

Evie

The spaghetti was long gone, the plates stacked neatly on the counter, and the calmness of the evening had settled in.

Liam leaned back in his chair, a glass of wine in his hand, his blue eyes sparkling as he recounted a story about one of his sisters accidentally booking a goat yoga class for their mother. I couldn’t think of a better evening.

“And you should’ve seen her face when the goat hopped onto her back,” Liam said, laughing. “She tried to play it cool, but you could tell she was plotting my sister’s demise the entire time.”

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