Page 45 of Falling Inn Love
“What?” I look up to find Evan standing there, smiling at me. “What are you smiling at?” I challenge.
“You seem frustrated about something.” I smirk and shrug. He says, “You look like you need a hug,” and opens his arms. I walk into his embrace and wrap my arms around his waist, breathing him in. I could stay in this man’s arms forever.
“Did you just smell me?” he teases.
“No. Maybe. I don’t know, okay?” I say, muddled as I hug him tighter.
“What’s wrong?” he asks, holding me closer.
“Nothing anymore. You give good hugs.”
“Thanks. You do, too.”
I have that happy feeling but nervous stomach. So many good things are happening right now and I’m nervous that something will go wrong or that I shouldn’t feel happy. I know I need to just live in the moment. It just feels like a risk because I’ve had the rug ripped out from under me before and I’m worried it will happen again. I know it isn’t fair to Evan, though, me living with one foot in and one foot out, always waiting for the other shoe to drop.
Evan thankfully interrupts my deep thoughts. “So, I picked up some groceries and dropped them off at the cottage and checked on the puppies. Kase and I took them on a walk a while ago. Did you get settled in over there?”
“Yeah, I set up in your guest room so I can give you some space.”
“I don’t need space,” he says as he hugs me tight.
“You might. I don’t want to get in your way.”
“What if I want you to get in my way?”
I pull back and kiss his cheek and then straighten up as a guest approaches the coffee bar.
“You two are the cutest couple,” she says with a warm smile.
My cheeks burn at hearing Evan and me referred to as a couple. Still, I straighten up and say, “Thanks,” not bothering to correct her.
She beams and whispers, “He’s so handsome.”
Evan blushes and says, “I have to get some things done. Let me know if you need anything, Beth. Enjoy your stay,” he says to the guest, then disappears back into his office.
Once I take care of her business and she heads back to her room, I clean up the front, restock the coffee bar and mini-fridge, and tidy up the front living room. I’m folding an afghan over the edge of the couch when Evan comes back out of his office and asks, “Ready to head home?”
Home. I do like the sound of that… And it doesn’t even feel terrifying. I mean, notcompletelyterrifying.
“Yep, just let me finish tidying up. What are we doing for dinner? Want me to fix something?”
He looks back at the kitchen. “We can probably just get two to-go containers and hang out by the fire pit if you want. The puppies could use the outside time.”
“Sounds good.” I will admit, my heart feels so good and content when I think of having someone to take care of again, so I’m disappointed when he suggests we just get something from the main kitchen. I miss having someone to cook for. I make a mental note to scan his kitchen and see what I can whip up later on in the week.
We walk back to the cottage like we’ve been doing this for ages; it feels so natural. My hand slips into his. I look up at him and he smiles down at me. I am letting my guard down and I hate it and love it at the same time. The ease I feel when he’s around is like nothing I’ve experienced before. I don’t think I could stop falling in love with this man if I tried.
I set up our food at the table while he lets out the dogs and I get two beers out of the fridge. I light a candle on his counter and turn on some lamps. This place could definitely use more homey touches. Maybe some plants, cozy blankets, and books. He doesn’t spend a lot of time in here and it shows.
Evan comes back in with the dogs and pours food into their bowls before we sit down to eat, too. I can’t help but notice that he looks tense. My heart feels heavier when I see his brow is creased and the warm smile he usually wears is replaced by a tight line. He’s clearly got a lot on his mind.
“You doing okay?” I ask.
“Yeah, just nervous about the transplant stuff. I wish Caleb didn’t have to deal with any of this.”
“I texted with your mom today and she sent me a picture of him. He’s so tiny. I can’t believe he’s going through all of this, either. He’s so lucky your kidney is a match.”
“Yeah, we lucked out there for sure.”
