Page 52 of Falling for You
“What if nothing. I’m sorry I didn’t stand up and introduce myself to Shep. Everyone has a silly friend in their lives, and it makes no difference how old they are.”
“I build forts,” Evan said before he could stop himself. “I don’t see myself stopping that anytime soon. I don’t think that makes me a kid, but I’m not in my thirties.”
“I knew that before we started any of this,” CeCe said. “Evan, I know I used our age as an excuse before, but I really don’t think it matters now.”
There were countless reasons it mattered, all fighting for real estate on the tip of his tongue. He could practically hear his father’s booming voice of doubt reverberating through his head. “I’m not established.”
CeCe stepped back and threw her hands in the air. “I don’t care about any of that. You are not your father. You are your own person. I happen to like the person standing in front of me. Yes, you build forts in your living room and have frat bro friends. So what? I spend every waking moment watching bad television and stress baking. We all have our issues.”
Evan scoffed, “You make it sound so simple. We won’t think about the age thing?”
CeCe inched closer, this time reaching out and pulling Evan against her. “Exactly. Let’s see where this goes. No more worries about the age gap. And for the love of all things holy, answer my texts. I’m not saying as soon as you get them, but don’t ghost me.” Her eyes sparkled with unshed tears, and her expression left no room for argument. CeCe was vulnerable, honest. Her lips parted, and she licked her bottom lip. At first, Evan thought she was about to say something else, but her eyes slid toward his mouth and he was a goner.
He closed the distance until their lips brushed in a tender kiss. Evan lingered, enjoying the maple taste of her lips. “I won’t ghost you,” he promised between kisses. “I really want this. You and me.”
CeCe kissed him again before leaning back and grinning. “Me too. Now, let’s eat some pancakes.”
Evan watched CeCe warm up the pancakes. She moved effortlessly through his tiny kitchen, occasionally stopping to give him a flirty smile. Despite everything that happened yesterday, Evan felt like they were on solid footing. If they could get past the age difference, the two of them could get through anything.
Evan was falling for CeCe. Hell, he was probably in love with her already. He’d never been with anyone who made him feel valued, someone he could really trust. Evan couldn’t imagine any issues bigger than their ages. He was ready to set sail for calm seas with CeCe.
CHAPTER 13
The competition hadfinally arrived. CeCe had spent the time pre-competition helping Ginny and Max with last-minute wedding prep, crafting a menu for an upcoming business mixer with Natalie, and spending the rest of her time with Evan. Life was good, and she enjoyed the effortlessness that came with being with Evan. They laughed over takeout from their favorite Chinese restaurant, got serious about menu tweaks for the competition, but CeCe’s favorite parts were their tender moments together.
Evan passing her in the diner and gently placing a kiss on her cheek when she was baking, or leaving her a note in the pocket of her apron. He found ways to show he was thinking about her, that he was smitten. Everything felt nearly perfect, except for the six-foot secret standing twenty yards away.
“You’re sure you’re all right?” Max asked, whispering so Evan wouldn’t overhear. Despite the stress of the competition and his upcoming wedding, Max was relaxed, damn near blissful. CeCe had to admit that she liked the new Max. She hadn’t realized how lovesick he was until Ginny was back in his life. During a few quiet moments on her own, CeCe could draw the parallels to her own connection with Evan. More often than not, she was happier when he was around her, just being himself.
“Yup, perfectly fine,” she lied through clenched teeth. “What do I have to worry about?”
Max raised an eyebrow and gestured toward Eric, who was mingling with the other competitors. Everyone was invited to a get-together to get acclimated to the venue and learn the specifics of the competition. Of course, Eric was there. Trailed by a camera crew that caught him swooning over women in their fifties, flirting with women in their twenties, and generally ignoring anyone that wouldn’t look good on camera. Some things never changed.
“I can handle the interview. You won’t even have to talk to him,” Max assured her. He shifted on his feet, trying to block CeCe from view.
“What did I miss?” Evan asked, joining them with an armful of water bottles and event fliers. His blond hair was mussed, evidence he’d been nervously raking his fingers through the tendrils. Even with his competition jitters, Evan brought a sense of calm to CeCe as soon as he reached out and handed her a water.
