Share
34.1
Related chapters
FALLING IN LOVE WHEN YOU'RE TEXTING 35- Lincoln
Throughout Hannah’s shift, I texted her. Even though I was finding it easier to actually say what was on my mind, now that a lot of the uncertainty had been removed, it was easier still to tell her what I was really thinking without the pressure of her standing before me, her eyes on mine.Me: You look ridiculously hot in that apron.Paint Fairy: I can swipe it after my shift if you’d like to see it later.The very idea sent heat rushing through me.Me: Yes please.Paint Fairy: What do you want to do after I’m done with work? Me: Is this a question about dinner? Or something else?Paint Fairy: What kind of question do you want it to be? Me: Something else. Very much something else.Paint Fairy: I’ll keep the apron then.When Hannah’s shift was over, we stood on the sidewalk for a moment, looking at one another. We’d spent almost twenty-four hours together at this point, with the exception of the half hour at the beginning of her shift where I’d run home to shower and change, and while
FALLING IN LOVE WHEN YOU'RE TEXTING 36- Hannah
Funny how contentment could sneak up and fill in the little cracks in your heart when you least expected it. For me, it was opening my eyes to Lincoln’s smiling face, realizing I was now an owner of a house from the aunt I never knew and living in a town I was just getting familiar with. This wasn’t part of my one-year plan in any shape or form, but clearly, I’d have to come up with a new plan. I wanted more of this.“Good morning,” Lincoln whispered.I thought I’d be gone from this town in a few months and now I couldn’t imagine waking up without that greeting every single day for the rest of my life. Then again, I’d thought that once before and it had turned out badly. Better to temper my excitement and keep my eyes wide open this time around.“Morning,” I said back, stretching to get my body to wake up.“I was thinking we could—” Lincoln was cut off by a pounding on his front door. He groaned, leaning down to kiss me before sitting up and sliding out of bed.“I’ll be right back. Do
FALLING IN LOVE WHEN YOU'RE TEXTING 36.1
“Oh, you hush, child. I brought you into this world. I can take you out.” Pam pulled out of the hug with her two sons and slapped Dalton’s arm. Her gaze snagged on me standing there with the refreshments.“Hannah! You came! Oh, I’m so happy you’re here!” She rushed over and swept me into a hug, twirling me around with surprising strength for someone her size. I was at least a head taller than her.“Happy birthday, Mrs. Cunningham.” I hugged her back the best I could with bottles in my hands. Lincoln set the donuts down on a table nearby and rushed over to grab the drinks for me.Lincoln’s mom grabbed my arms and gave me a look I’d seen her give her sons. “You listen here, young lady. I’m Pam or Mom. None of this Mrs. Cunningham stuff. It may be my birthday, but I will not be made to feel old. I’m just another year wiser.”I liked her, despite years of trying to protect my heart from mothers. “You got it, Pam. Thanks for having me.”She smiled and wrapped her arm around my waist, pulli
FALLING IN LOVE WHEN YOU'RE TEXTING 37- Lincoln
Hannah had been gone more than fifteen minutes, and I was beginning to wonder if my family had been too much for her. Four boys, plus the assorted family friends we’d invited to help Mom celebrate, could be a lot. Of all people, I understood that.In the winery’s big tasting room, Mom’s birthday celebration had already turned into a party, despite the early hour. Mom was seated at a stool in the center of the long counter, and Robin sat next to her, the two of them cackling about something. Mom’s oldest friend and our next-door neighbor, Janice, sat on her other side, joining in but also deeply engaged in conversation with El about something, while Boston, Dalton, and Sophia were off to one side of the room. We’d invited a few of Mom and Dad’s other friends from the area, and all the little tables in the tasting room were full of happy faces, locals enjoying a mid-morning celebration of one of the nicest people in town—my mom.I stood across the counter from Mom and the ladies, sippin
FALLING IN LOVE WHEN YOU'RE TEXTING 37.1
She put one foot up, but then stopped, and the ringmaster leapt down to give her his arm. She leaned on him heavily, her thin spindly limbs shaking as she climbed to the stage, where she spun and gave us another grin, clearly something she’d perfected in her days as the Rubber Woman.“Why do I feel a little scared?” Hannah whispered in my ear. “Me too,” I assured her.The elderly Rubber Woman was surprisingly limber, I had to give her that. She began by doing a slow dance that involved kicking her leg up and catching it with her hands, then pulling it behind her neck before pirouetting around on the standing leg. She moved gracefully, and soon was on the floor, going through a series of splits and backbends in time with the music. For a few moments, we all sat enthralled—she was really very good.But as she reached her grand finale, which involved bending backwards and essentially crawling through her own legs to grin at us upside down, her weight on her elbows, the grin turned into a
FALLING IN LOVE WHEN YOU'RE TEXTING 37.2
“I think those circus performers could have used fewer drinks,” I mumbled.Mom looked absolutely thrilled, despite the questionable quality of the circus we’d put together for her, and as we all went back inside, she stepped between Hannah and me, putting her arms around us both.“Thank you so much, kids. That was just fantastic!” She squeezed Hannah close and added, “Now Hannah, you come sit with me. I have a million questions for you.”“Mom,” I warned.“Lincoln, go chat with your brothers. I want to get to know your girlfriend better. Come on, Hannah.”I kissed Hannah on the cheek as Mom took her to the end of the tasting counter and they sat on stools facing one another. Hannah looked happy to be chatting with my mother, so I didn’t interfere, and part of me loved seeing them together, which sent my mind whirling forward, considering questions about how well Hannah might fit into my family if we were to continue our relationship.“Mom giving Hannah the twelfth degree?” Dalton asked
FALLING IN LOVE WHEN YOU'RE TEXTING 38- Hannah
“And then the plan was to head back to Los Angeles. You know, back to the real world.” Pam’s face fell at that pronouncement and I realized how it sounded. “Well, at least that was my original plan. Now . . . well, now I’m not so sure.”I twirled the empty mimosa glass in my hand, wishing Lincoln and I had more time together before his mom interrogated me over my plans. Things were too new. I knew my old plan wasn’t going to work now that I’d found Lincoln, but I hadn’t settled on a new plan yet either. Which was super weird for me. I always had a plan for my life. That was the only way to get the things done that I cared about.“Oh honey,” Pam put her hand on my arm to still my fidgeting. “You don’t have to have it all figured out yet. I see how my son looks at you, so of course I’m going to encourage you to stay, but I also care about you, independent of Lincoln. Take the time to know what you really want before making any decisions. Listen to your gut and you can’t go wrong.”I til
FALLING IN LOVE WHEN YOU'RE TEXTING 39- Lincoln
I knew I should drive away. Hannah had told me she didn’t want me to stay, and even though every ounce of me was screaming with a protective instinct I didn’t even know I had, I needed to respect her wishes. Still, I couldn’t bring myself to leave her here with the muppet. Not until I knew she would be okay.Maybe that was ridiculous. She’d been married to the guy, after all—a thought that sent my stomach twisting uncomfortably. But she’d been quiet about the marriage and what exactly had gone on. All I knew was that he was a moron if he’d chosen anything or anyone over Hannah, if he’d been willing to let her go. I had no way of knowing, but I was willing to put money on that being the reason he was here. He’d realized his mistake, realized he’d given up the most beautiful and kind woman in the world, and he wanted her back. My stomach turned again at the idea.I watched through my windshield as the muppet stepped down from the driver’s side of the truck, dismayed to see that he was h
Latest chapter
- FALLING IN LOVE WHEN YOU'RE TEXTING 72- Dalton
- FALLING IN LOVE WHEN YOU'RE TEXTING 71- Raeanne
- FALLING IN LOVE WHEN YOU'RE TEXTING 70- Dalton
- FALLING IN LOVE WHEN YOU'RE TEXTING 69- Raeanne
- FALLING IN LOVE WHEN YOU'RE TEXTING 68- Dalton
- FALLING IN LOVE WHEN YOU'RE TEXTING 67- Raeanne
- FALLING IN LOVE WHEN YOU'RE TEXTING 66- Dalton
- FALLING IN LOVE WHEN YOU'RE TEXTING 65- Raeanne
- FALLING IN LOVE WHEN YOU'RE TEXTING 64 - Dalton
