Page 38 of One Whopper of a Love Story

Seeing the way he cared for his mom made Nico a hundred times more amazing in my eyes.

“I’ll be back at the house tomorrow by ten if you still want to work out.”

As much as I wanted to speed into town and hug him until the sun went down, I knew he needed space to be with his family, and I could give him that. “Sounds good. I’ll be there.”

“Sorry to keep bothering you at work today.”

“It’s fine. Tessa is working the counter. I let her know what was going on.” I crossed my arms and pulled in a deep breath. “I’m glad you’re keeping me updated and that I’ve gotten to talk to you.”

Voices sounded in the background.

“I need to go, but I’ll call again.” A silence lingered. “And, Layla, just so you know, I’ve learned something since meeting you.”

“What’s that?”

“It takes far fewer than twenty-one days to form a habit that puts a smile on my face. And talking to you puts a smile on my face.”

Big emotions threatened to rip open my heart. “You’re just trying to make me cry.”

“Now I’ve gone and done it.” He chuckled. “Talk to you soon.”

“Bye.” The call ended, and I clutched the phone to my chest.

In twenty-one days, I’d forgotten about my attempts to stop giggling and curb my impulsive decisions. My giggling was back to normal levels, but my impulsiveness had declined. It wasn’t because I questioned every decision and made the boring choice, but inside, I was more measured. When did I start using words like measured?

I wasn’t chasing excitement anymore. I was too busy enjoying life.

Lettie handed me a banana pudding and a spoon. “You okay?”

“I am. It’s just...” I shoveled a bite into my mouth. “It’s day twenty-one, and I didn’t get my frog. That’s a stupid thing to think about. I know that, but that’s what has me mopey tonight.”

“You sure about that?”

“About why I’m mopey? Pretty sure.”

She pointed down the hall with her spoon. “Go count your frogs.”

The clink of my spoon hitting the table echoed as I ran into my bedroom. At the end of the line of frogs was a single Hershey’s kiss. Running my finger along the line of frogs, I counted. One, two, three... eighteen, nineteen, twenty, twenty-one.

“You played the elf again, didn’t you?”

Lettie leaned on the doorframe. “He slipped it to me last night at the barbeque place. I didn’t even eat the chocolate. See what a good friend I am.”

I hugged her. “The absolute best.”

“He wasn’t sure what would happen today, and he wanted you to end the day with a complete set.”

“And a kiss.”

“Yeah, but I’m pretty sure when he’s thinking of kisses, he has something entirely different in mind.”

“That makes two of us.” I snapped a picture of the last frog and the kiss and sent it off to Nico with a text:Can’t wait to see you tomorrow.

I’m looking forward to it more than you know. His response sparked tears and a smile. Dang the man’s talent.

Two minutes before ten, I parked next to Nico’s truck in front of his open garage.

Wearing only athletic shorts—and I presume something underneath them—he laced his fingers together on top of his head. “Hey there, you ready to sweat?”

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