Page 58 of Fall for You (Flirting with Forever 4)

“Will you be at school next week?”

I shake my head. “No, probably not for a little while, actually, unless things change. I was hoping to be back by Monday. My plan was to take advantage of the long weekend, but now I’m not sure that will be enough time.” I put a hand to my temple, rubbing absentmindedly. “This has turned into a three-ring circus with finding coverage at school, Mom needing me at home, and figuring out how we are going to deal with being short-handed for a while at the bakery.”

Sophia pats my arm. “We’ll figure it out. I’m sure we can get people to pitch in. What good is a small town if not for everyone being in each other’s business?”

I laugh out loud. “Totally true.”

Olivia’s forehead develops a deep crease right down the middle. “Wait, you have to help your mom, somehow get back to school, and do stuff at the bakery?”

“Yep.” I nod. “I’ll figure it out. I always do.”

She scuffs the toe of her yellow Converse sneaker on the floor. “Would I be able to help at the bakery after school?”

I tilt my head, surprised, then look at her mom. “If your parents are okay with it, sure. I’ll take all the help I can get.”

Becky nods. “It’s fine with me. I’m sure Liam would be okay with it, too. He keeps saying she needs to get a job soon to learn some responsibility.”

A smile tips up the corners of Olivia’s lips. “But you don’t need to pay me. I’d like to do it just to be helpful.” Her eyes light up. “I almost forgot to tell you. While I stay with Mom this weekend, we’re going to work on the science fair project.”

“Assuming you’re still willing to offer her the extra credit, that is? It was this or she said she’d bomb the next test on purpose to see if she could get you back as her tutor.” Becky groans, looking at Olivia with an indulgent smile. “I swear, this child.”

I chuckle at their interaction. “That would be a yes on the extra credit and a big don’t you dare on the other.” I roll my eyes at her. “Wait until I tell your dad that one.”

Her eyes widen. “You wouldn’t.”

“Don’t test me. There are some confidences I’m happy to keep between the two of us. That is not one of them.”

Becky barks with laughter. “I wasn’t sure what I thought about how you’d handle my daughter, but I’ll say this right now—I think I approve.”

Olivia focuses in on me again, her eyes lighting up. “Oh! Ms. Lockmore, I forgot to tell you. I talked to him.”

My mind whirs as I try to clue into what she’s talking about until it hits me, and I gasp. “No. You didn’t?” My eyes widen. “The football player?”

She grins broadly. “He asked if he could take me out for coffee next week.”

I choke out a laugh. “Your dad is going to strangle me for telling you to talk to him.”

Becky grins affectionately at Olivia. “He might. Personally, I’m still in the yay, a date camp.”

“Me too. I’m excited for you, Olivia. That’s great news. And by the way, it’d make me really happy if outside of school you’d call me Quinn.”

Once Becky and Olivia leave, we sit quietly waiting for news. I’m flanked by Sophia on one side and Liam on the other. “I wonder how much longer it’ll be. This whole thing was supposed to be an outpatient procedure. In and out.”

Liam’s mouth tugs up on one side. “You just never know. Or maybe she’s keeping them so busy sharing recipes or something that they haven’t had a chance to come out and talk to us. Your mom is quite the talker.” He pats my knee, and I lean into him as he presses a kiss to my forehead. “I’m sure she’s fine, but I’ll go see when they might have an update for you.” He gets up and walks down the hallway to the nurses’ station.

I shift over in the other direction, put my head on Sophia’s shoulder, and pull out my phone, thinking to check my text messages.

“He loves you, you know that, right?”

I shift a fraction so I can see her peeking at me. “I know.”

“He was terrified when I first texted him. Apparently, I should have led with the fact that you were here for your mom. He got a good scare.”

“Oops.”

“But then, even when he knew you were okay and you just needed someone, it changed nothing. He didn’t question it. He just showed up for you.”

I lift my head from Sophia’s shoulder. “I want to thank you for being here with me, too.”

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