Page 77 of Falling for Love

“I owe you a cup of coffee for this,” I said, pocketing the keys before they could mysteriously disappear again.

“You don’t owe me anything.”

“Humor me,” I said, gesturing toward Buttercup Java, the cozy coffee shop just across the street. “It’s the least I can do after dragging you out here.”

“Well,” he said, scratching his chin as though giving it serious thought. “If you insist. I do have a weakness for their cinnamon rolls.”

“Good,” I said, already heading toward the coffee shop. “Because you’re getting one.”

Before I realized it, his hand had cupped mine. “You’re pretty bossy when you want to be, you know that?”

I shot him a grin. “And you’re pretty agreeable for someone who just called me bossy.”

“Only when it’s you,” he said, his tone light but his eyes holding something deeper that warmed my cheeks.

I hadn’t held hands with someone in so long that I couldn’t shake the feeling that I was completely out of my element. I started thinking about how much my arm was swinging, if my stride matched his, if I should let go first.

As we stepped inside, the rich aroma of coffee and baked goods enveloped us, and I sighed happily when I let go of his hand.

There.

A decision.

Buttercup Java buzzed with its usual morning crowd. Laughter and clinking mugs filled the air. The cozy decor, mismatched furniture, and twinkling fairy lights strung along the beams always made me feel at home. It felt like a rustic cabin and a quirky farmhouse had a love child.

“Hey, Evie!” Abby, the barista, called from behind the counter. “Another locked-out rescue?”

“Don’t start,” I said with a laugh, waving her off. “Just another coffee for me and a cinnamon roll for my hero here.”

Liam chuckled, leaning against the counter. “Hero, huh? Keep that up, and I might start getting ideas.”

“Oh, we can’t have that,” I said, rolling my eyes as Abby handed over our drinks and his roll, and I gave her cash.

We found a small table by the window with the winter sunlight streaming in as we sat down.

Liam took a sip of his coffee, his eyes crinkling with pleasure. “Now, this makes it all worth it.” He tugged a piece of cinnamon roll off the bun and ate it.

“What, the coffee?” I teased.

“No, sitting here with you,” he said smoothly, his grin widening when I rolled my eyes again.

Before I could reply, a familiar voice broke through the chatter.

“Liam Harper, of all places!”

I saw Fifi, Liam’s sister, bounding toward our table with her usual energy. She looked between us, her expression a mix of amusement and curiosity.

“And who’s this? The woman you can’t stop gushing about?”

Liam groaned, running a hand through his hair. “Fifi, don’t start.”

“Oh, I’m just saying hi,” she said innocently, pulling up a chair and plopping down without waiting for an invitation. She turned to me, her smile conspiratorial. “So, are you the reason he’s been smiling like an idiot lately? My guess is yes.”

“Fifi,” Liam said, his tone half-warning, half-embarrassed.

I couldn’t help but laugh. “I’m not sure I can take credit for that.”

“Well, I’m sure as heck going to find out,” Fifi said, winking at me as Liam groaned again.

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