Page 152 of Falling Back to You

Right, the community hockey game. “Everything’s in order? No hiccups?”

“I told you I had it sorted.” Cal squeezed my hand. “Someone’s gotta teach the whippersnappers something.”

“Okay, now you’re starting to sound like Macy.”

“You’ve got good friends, Elle.”

“I really do.” I smiled. “And I’ve got a really great boyfriend who keeps his promises.”

“Oh yeah? Did he promise to kiss his incredible, kindhearted, brilliant girlfriend? Because he absolutely should have.” Cal smirked, leaning down. Our lips brushed and—

“Daddy!”

Cal groaned, pressing his forehead to mine as Khia ran towards us. “I love her to death, but I swear I’ll never get to kiss you at this rate.”

“Come find me later?”

“Always.” He snuck in another quick kiss. Far too short, but a promise of things to come. “I love you.”

“I love you, too.”

“I love you, three!” Khia added, grinning up at us.

My heart skipped with happiness as I watched my two favourite people in the world walk hand in hand down the street towards the community center where the fundraiser game was being held.

An arm looped through mine. “Admiring the view?”

“It’s a nice view.” I chuckled, nudging Juliet with my shoulder. “How are you feeling? Aren’t you supposed to be resting?”

After the day at the pumpkin patch, Juliet’s midwife insisted she take it easy. Which was akin to trying to stable a wild horse.

Juliet scrunched her nose. “I wanted pie. But I promised Myles I wouldn’t overdo it. I figured if he saw me with you, he’d be less inclined to worry.”

“You’re actually pretty sweet, you know that?”

She rolled her eyes. “I must be losing my edge.” Then she sighed. “But I wouldn’t purposely worry him for the world.” Her posture softened. “He already stresses too much.”

“I’ve got you, sis.”

Together, we wandered down the street. Laughter permeated the air from the bobbing-for-apples booth, and a little farther down, the fire station had a doughnuts-on-a-string challenge going on. Jamie and Brooks were getting a little too competitive as they simultaneously tried chomping on pastries while shoving each other. But they had a fan group cheering them on—all of the pint-sized variety.

Tables were littered with plaid plastic tablecloths fluttering in the breeze. The potluck would start in a little over an hour, once the guys finished with the hockey game.

After Juliet snuck her two pieces of pie, I walked her back towards the apartment above Bean There, Done That. We made it past Donovan’s Downto’n when a flashy Mercedes peeled to a stop farther down Main Street where the blockades were set up.

“Where’s Dallas when you need him?” Juliet muttered, gripping my arm more tightly and glancing around for her law enforcement oldest brother. “That idiot doesn’t know how to drive.”

“Dallas or Mr. Mercedes?” I teased.

“You’re one to talk, Miss Mailbox.”

I gasped. “I thought that was a secret!”

“I may have wheedled it out of him with a plate of my cream puffs.”

“Typical Jules.” I chuckled and consulted my clipboard to see which booth I needed to check on next.

“Noelle!”