Page 91 of Falling Back to You

Poor kid. “Grey, what can I get started for you?”

He hesitated. Oh, shoot. The nickname had flown out of me. “Well, I was going to bring my wife a bubble tea, but I seem to be too late.”

Ethan’s freckled face flushed to the roots of his hair. “Oh, uh . . .”

Greyson clapped his shoulder. “It’s fine. You’re thoughtful. It’s a good thing.” He nodded at me. “But I will take a black coffee and a pup cup.”

I bit back a smile. Not only was this man smitten, he wanted a pup cup for his dog. Oh, Grey. I never thought I’d see the day. When Grey finally fell, he’d fallen hard. “Coming right up.” I handed Ethan the drinks. “Good luck.”

“Thanks.” He hesitated. “Think I can go out the back way? Jerry’s probably waiting to ambush me out front.”

Knowing Jerry, anything was possible. “Go ahead.” I motioned with my hand to the back, and he was gone.

Only in Serenity Springs.

Greyson said nothing as I slid the coffee and plastic cup with whipping cream across the counter to him. He handed over a few bills with a “keep the change” and headed for the door.

But I couldn’t let him walk away. “Grey,” I said. Did I want to do this in public? No, but I didn’t have much of a choice.

Slowly, he pivoted back to the counter.

“I am sorry,” I said softly. “More than you’ll ever know. I hope you can forgive me. One day.”

“Forgiving you wasn’t the issue, Elle. I did that.” He blew out a breath, weighing his words. Quintessentially Greyson. “But you didn’t see Cal fall apart.” His jaw ticked. “I don’t want him to get hurt again.”

“Neither do I.”

“Then don’t mess with him if it doesn’t mean something.” Icy seriousness coated his voice. We were quiet enough the handful of patrons couldn’t hear our conversation, and it probably looked like friends catching up. But Greyson wasn’t playing, and neither was I.

“I saw the way you looked at them,” he said gruffly. “The way he looked at you.”

Oh boy. So much for subtlety.

His posture lost some of its rigidness. “Just . . . don’t break him. Please.”

“I won’t, I promise.”

Greyson dipped his head in a good talk way and headed for the door. Always a man of few words.

“Grey.” I smiled when he glanced back at me. “Love looks good on you.”

That brought his smile out in full force. “Paisley is the best thing that ever happened to me.” And with one more nod, he was out the door, calling, “Thanks for the squares.”

Chapter twenty-nine

Cal

My girl had me wrapped around her finger, and I wasn’t mad about it.

Khia begged to invite Noelle to the Harvest Parade after church tomorrow, and I was powerless against those blue eyes and hopeful smile. It didn’t hurt that she was clutching Mrs. Pickles to her chest either. The cat I never wanted had somehow broken through my defenses.

Cutest duo ever.

Which was how I found myself trekking to Bean There, Done That with Khia in tow. Brandon told me to take it easy, but it had been nearly a week, and I was feeling much better. My physical therapist had given me the green light to start moving without the crutches—finally—and I was itching to get back to the ice. Sitting still was not my forte.

Plus, Khia was going through withdrawals at not seeing Noelle. It had only been two days, but same, kiddo.

I’d gone to text her when she didn’t answer her door, but a notification from The Vine pinged my phone first.