Page 84 of Falling for Love

“Well, I just…” I glanced at the ceiling and then over at the fireplace. “I don’t know what to say.”

“I don’t go around kissing a lot of women,” he said, his gaze catching mine. “It’s a fair assumption.”

I folded my arms over my chest. “Is that so?”

He nodded and took a step closer. “But I didn’t want to scare you off and try to define…this. Besides, I wasn’t sure if I’d already scared you off with all my, you know, charm.”

“Charm? Is that what we’re calling it now?”

“Absolutely,” Liam said, crossing his arms with a mock-serious expression. “It’s a special skill. Some people build houses or cure diseases. I charm the pants off people.”

He realized what he said and laughed. “I mean, not literally.”

“There’s always a first.” I smiled at Liam, who looked to be in heaven.

And it made me wonder.

“Well, you’ve certainly got a gift.” I reached for his hand and squeezed it.

“I’ll take that as a compliment.”

Honey Leaf Lodge always seemed to buzz with life, no matter the time of year. It was easy to see why people loved it here. A couple quietly walked up the staircase.

“Busy morning?” I asked, turning back to him.

I caught a few guests wandering out the front door.

“Always,” he said. “But never too busy to make coffee for my favorite farrier and dole out fresh cinnamon rolls.”

“Flattery will get you nowhere,” I said, though I couldn’t help but smile. “But food…”

Before he could reply, the door swung open again, letting in a gust of cold air. I turned to see Violet walking in with Owen behind her.

“Hey, Vi,” Liam said, giving her a nod. “Owen, good to see you.”

“Same,” Owen said, smiling.

“Came to drop something off for Beck. Didn’t realize you were—” She stopped mid-sentence, her gaze darting back to me and Liam.

“Didn’t realize I was… what?” Liam prompted.

“Nothing,” Violet said quickly, shaking her head. “Never mind.”

I watched the exchange with interest, my fingers tightening slightly around my coffee cup. Something unspoken was happening here, and I wasn’t sure what to make of it.

“Anyway,” Violet said, turning toward the desk where a neatly wrapped package sat. “I’ll just leave this here. Tell Beck it’s for him when you see him. Now, to enjoy my day off.”

“Will do,” Liam said casually.

Violet paused at the door, glancing back one more time. Her gaze settled on me briefly before she grinned widely, pulled the door open, and stepped out into the snow with Owen.

“Well,” I said, breaking the silence that followed. “That was... something.”

Liam laughed, rubbing the back of his neck. “Vi is just… Vi. Don’t mind her.”

“Seemed like she minded me,” I said, tilting my head. “Or, more accurately, us.”

Liam leaned against the counter again, his grin returning. “You think so?”

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