Page 22 of Fall Fake-Out

“Speaking of reading,” Emma says, “I host a book club once a month at the library. There’s one this Tuesday. You should come. Your mom comes sometimes.”

“I’ll be there.” I smile big. Book clubs and girlfriends are exactly what I need right now. None of this dating mumbo jumbo. “And do I have you to blame for my mom’s obsession with romance books?”

Emma laughs. “She did that all on her own.”

They turn forward again, so my mom leans in and whispers in my ear, “Why didn’t you talk to Dom?”

I lift my chin and ignore her, praying the pastor will start soon and save me from my mom’s matchmaking ways.

“Dom’s a great option.”

“I don’t need options,” I whisper back. “I’m not interested in dating right now.” The flat line of my lips shows my seriousness.

She sighs, personally saddened by my lack of interest in the future she has laid out for me.

It’s not that the men in Autumn Ridge aren’t great guys. I’m sure they are. I just can’t trust anyone with my heart right now—including myself. I didn’t miss Andy’s red flags. I looked at them and thought How attractive! Because of that, I need some time to be single, if only to work on my critical-thinking skills so I don’t make the same mistakes again.

Pastor Bruce Vasser stands, signaling to Sharon that he’s ready to start the worship service. She switches to the song's final musical chord progression as a warning to quiet down.

“I’d like to welcome everybody this beautiful sabbath morning…” the pastor begins.

The wood door in the back slams shut like the breeze outside caught it at just the wrong time.

Pastor Bruce falters.

All eyes turn.

Wade smiles big, even bowing a little before confidently walking to where his family sits.

His gaze catches mine as he passes, and with the utmost confidence, he winks at me.

Only Wade Stevenson could get away with winking at someone in church.

And it’s annoying in the most charming way.

Wade

“WHAT’S for dinner?” I ask my sister, Sadie, as we wait in the shade of a tree for our parents to finish talking.

Technically, I don’t have to wait for a ride home from my parents. I drove my truck to church, but I’m hoping to talk to Ari once she finally makes her way outside the chapel.

“Roast and mashed potatoes. Ryan, Lily, and Mia are coming too.” Sadie doesn’t look up when she answers. She’s zeroed in on her hair, flipping a few strands up to her eyes, looking for split ends. She’s like a mini version of my mom with the same red hair.

“Mmm, a Sunday favorite. What about dessert? What have you made for me today?”

“Apple pie.”

“I guess that will do.” I lean my shoulder against the tree and cross my legs, looking back at the chapel doors.

Who the heck is Ari talking to for so long? There’s a split second of panic when I think about her mom wanting to find her a husband, but the feeling disappears when I realize most of the single men have already left.

Patty Keller exits the church, giving Linda Tolman an earful.

“I swear I can smell Keller’s Bakehouse on her from here like a permanent perfume that’s embedded in her skin from years of baking pies.”

Sadie’s head snaps up, looking across the lawn to Patty. “I work at Keller’s Bakehouse too. Do I smell like that?”

“Nah, you’re just an assistant baker. But just in case…” I pretend to take a big sniff of my sister then pause to assess. “On second thought, you do smell like a cinnamon pastry.”