Page 104 of Fall Fake-Out

Mom disappears out the door. Landrie and I stare after her then slowly turn back toward each other. The conversation is very much not over, but I can’t leave Wade out there alone with my mother. The part where we convince her we’re real is still ongoing.

I glance out the window and catch Wade looking back at the house, and for one brief second, our eyes meet.

The memory of his mouth on mine hits me all over again.

Then he smiles.

And it’s all I can do to get out of that kitchen before Landrie sees the blush creeping into my cheeks.

Wade

I WAS NERVOUS to come to the Langfords’ tonight.

Like, really nervous.

For one, I’ve never gone home with a woman I’m dating to meet her parents.

I know, shocking for a man my age who’s dated as much as I have.

But that’s just it. I’ve dated. Not committed to anyone enough to be brought home to the family. Sure, women have asked, but I’ve always just dodged it and then immediately broken up with them because they were clearly getting too serious for me.

But everything with Ari is different.

Fake dating has created this world where intimacy and commitment aren’t a big deal because none of it’s real—or at least it’s not supposed to be real.

Then I arrived here at the Langfords’, and Ari made some sarcastic joke about how a man with a mustache should never be allowed to wear flannel, and my nerves immediately eased.

She has a way of doing that to me.

Now I’m standing around the fire with Jaxon and her dad, like this is how it’s meant to be.

“That’s not how you split wood,” Dusty says to his future son-in-law.

I glance over at Jaxon standing beside the chopping block, holding an axe. “This is how my dad taught me, but I’d be willing to try it the Langford way.”

Dusty stands beside the raging fire with his hands shoved into the pockets of his jeans. “I’ve been splitting wood for twenty years, but my guess is that Tom Walker has been doing it longer than that. So go with whatever your dad taught you.”

“Well, Dusty, I can’t have you thinking this poorly of me and my skills.” Jaxon hands the axe over to me. “So let’s watch Wade cut wood instead, and that’ll make me look better.”

“Happy to help,” I laugh, gripping the wooden handle.

A pile of split logs already sits beside the fire pit, but there’s still another stack waiting near the shed. I plant a round on the chopping block, adjust it with my boot, and bring the axe down.

Crack.

The log splits neatly in two.

“Dang it,” Jaxon mutters. “You were supposed to make me look better. Now I look worse.”

“I mean, I’m trying to impress the Langfords too.”

“That’s true.” Jaxon laughs. “I guess I’m already part of the family. Your standing is still up in the air.”

“Exactly.” I split another log, doing my best to make Ari’s dad proud. I straighten, glancing her way.

She stands near the refreshments table, pretending to help Landrie organize supplies, but really, she’s watching me. The second our eyes meet, she pulls them away like she’s not interested in this manly moment I’m having.

But I’m calling her bluff.