Page 106 of Falling Back to You

“Don’t let him off too easily,” Dallas hollered after us. “If he isn’t picking you up from your place, make sure he at least walks you to the door.”

“Thank you, Dally. What would I do without you?” I shot back.

In the bathroom, Melissa dug into my bag with the air of a professional. I didn’t do much makeup, just the basics, but it was nice to have someone else’s expertise. And when it came to hair and makeup, Melissa was the best.

I perched on the bathroom counter, and she worked her magic, creating a smoky eye, light blush, and the right hint of bronzer to add warmth to my pale skin.

“Thanks, Liss,” I said, examining her handiwork in the mirror.

Her reflection grinned at me, and she rubbed a hand over her stomach. “Anytime. Now, go get your man.”

I shimmied my shoulders, and she laughed.

Cal was waiting in the kitchen when we returned. Mid-conversation with Dallas, his jaw dropped, followed by a roguish smile. “Looking good, Holiday.”

I smiled at him, cheeks flushing. “Not bad yourself.” He cleaned up nicely in navy dress slacks and a white button-up.

He prowled over to me. “Now if you’ll all excuse me, I have a date with the most beautiful woman in the world.”

I rolled my eyes but didn’t protest as he laced our fingers and tugged me towards the front door.

“Have fun!” Melissa called after us.

The world was aglow with summer sunshine. Sunset was hours away, leaving plenty of time for an adventure. Just the two of us.

“Where are we going?” I asked as Cal opened the truck door for me.

He grinned. “It’s a surprise.”

Cal liked surprises more than I did, but as long as none of them involved haunted houses, bugs, or long hikes, I was content to let him have his fun. Why those specific things? Well, he’d tried those surprises in the past, and they were officially a no go. I shuddered at the memories.

We ended up at our favourite taco place by the lake about fifteen minutes south of Serenity Springs. The patio was gorgeous, lit up with Edison bulbs on the timber gazebo overhead. Very romantic.

Conversation centered around the draft and our Seattle plans. I tried to listen since Cal usually did most of the talking, but my knotted stomach refused to settle down after the tension from earlier.

“How was your day?” Cal asked around a mouthful of taco, drawing me out of my head. “You know, apart from seeing me? Always the best part.” He winked.

I smiled at his teasing, and the breeze off the lake was refreshing against the hot setting sun. “Um . . .” This was it. An opening to tell the truth. It wasn’t a bad time, so he wouldn’t brush me off again. “I’ve had better days,” I said slowly. “Olive took my car, and my mom changed the order for our flowers without asking.”

Cal blinked. “She changed the flower order?”

I nodded and nibbled my taco.

“Have them change it back,” he suggested with a shrug.

Thank you, Captain Obvious. “That’s it?”

Cal frowned in confusion, taco midway to his mouth. “What? They’re just flowers.”

Just. Flowers. “And the fact that my mother is undermining our plans doesn’t bother you?” I asked, keeping a tight rein on my rising frustration.

“Of course it does, but once we’re married and out of here, we don’t have to worry about it. And you said Olive took your car? She’s always threatening to run away, but she comes back.”

Cal could be a hothead sometimes, but he was entirely too chill about this. Couldn’t he be the least bit upset on my behalf? Didn’t he care that this mattered to me?

“Things at home aren’t great,” I said carefully. Just tell him about Mom. Then you can figure it out together.

“Elle, your family has been a mess as long as I’ve known you. But they always sort themselves out. Don’t worry about it.” He leaned back. “Now, how about ice cream?”