Page 85 of Falling Back to You

no

JAMIE:

Don’t be like that, Cap.

And are we all agreed on the “Cale” thing?

MAX:

Works for me.

BROOKS:

Why not.

AARON:

Yes from me.

VAN:

Given they have too many overlapping letters, I’m going with yes.

CAL LEAVES THE CHAT

MYLES ADDS CAL TO THE CHAT

CAL:

you are all dead to me

Chapter twenty-seven

Noelle

You learned something new everyday. Today I learned I wasn’t above using bribery. Cal had armed me with Greyson and Paisley’s address and a forehead kiss, and honestly, that kiss left me brave enough to take on the world.

Or at least a grumpy dragon named Greyson. He might look like easygoing Cal, but they couldn’t be more different.

Now, standing in front of the sunshine-yellow front door, my courage evaporated faster than morning dew in the summer sun. My peace offering of the millionaire shortbread bars was woefully inadequate despite Cal’s insistence they would work.

I’d spent all of last evening whipping up more squares than I knew what to do with, determined to get them perfect. At this point, I could feed all of Serenity Springs dessert for a week. Stop procrastinating. Blowing out a breath, I knocked before I could talk myself out of it, and a moment later, the door swung open.

“Oh!” Paisley’s emerald eyes widened, but her smile was welcoming enough. “Noelle, come in.”

“Thanks.” I stepped into the cozy entryway, the floral wallpaper and collage of photos instantly setting me at ease.

“I take it you’re looking for Greyson?”

I lifted the plate of dessert. “I just wanted to drop these off.”

She smiled. “His favourite.”

What was I doing? Did I really expect dessert to help heal a thirteen-year breach? The squares were good but not that good. My stomach clenched, and I shoved the plate at the slender woman. “I’m sorry. I should go.”

“Wait.” She caught my arm. “Why don’t you stay for lunch?”

“I don’t want to impose.”