Page 158 of Falling Back to You

Greyson scoffed softly from behind us, followed by a grunt. Probably from Paisley nudging him.

Cal shot a look over his shoulder. “Dude, you’re just jealous that I got game.”

“I’ve got plenty of game,” Greyson retorted. Then they stared at each other in silent conversation. Twin speak at its finest.

Paisley giggled, blowing into her mittens. That snapped Greyson out of his bro-moment.

“Are you cold?” he asked.

“Nope.” She tugged him ahead of us on the path, whispering, “Give them their moment. Khia, we’re going to see the frozen fountain.”

“Ooh! I’m coming!”

Khia bounced over to them, then the three of them walked hand in hand, with Khia in the middle, down the path in front of us.

Cal tugged me closer. “Now that we don’t have an audience . . .” He pressed a quick kiss to my lips.

“When has that ever stopped you?”

“True.” He winked. “What can I say? You’re enchanting.”

“All right, Romeo, spill it.”

“I have no idea what you’re talking about.” Linking our fingers, Cal led me down a different path. “Hey, why are Christmas trees terrible at sewing?”

I arched an eyebrow. “I have no idea.”

“They’re always dropping their needles.”

I snorted. “That was terrible.” He usually cracked jokes when he was nervous. But why now? “You’re acting strange.”

“Strange? Me? Have you met me? I’m the picture of decorum. Nothing strange here.”

Oh, yeah. Not acting strange at all. Ha. “Decorum? Been hanging out with Myles, Cap?”

“You mock me. C’mon.” He excitedly ushered me down a familiar path. The same one where we’d stopped at the bench on our first date two months ago. “And I’ve been meaning to ask a very important question: What are your thoughts on mustaches? Think I could pull it off?”

I burst out laughing. “First, ew. Second, why?”

“You’re right. No mustache. I’d be a laughing stock. I’d look like Denver.” He shuddered. “Only much better-looking than the slug.”

Pausing, I tugged him to face me. “I like a clean-shaven man. But why are we discussing facial hair?”

Cal’s hand tightened on mine. “Oh, no reason. Just need to know your kissing preferences.”

I snort-laughed. What a way to word that. “Cal, what’s—”

We turned the corner, and I gasped. “Going . . . on,” I finished with a whisper. The bench was draped in lights and rose petals, and vintage flameless candles lined the walkway.

Tears swam in my eyes, and I whirled towards the man at my side.

Cal smiled down at me. “You wanna know something else? You’re my favourite person in the world, Elle. And hard days, good days, bad days, well, I want all my days to be with you.” Then in a move so smooth, he dropped to one knee.

This was it. It was really happening.

“Noelle Shepherd, you are the best thing that ever happened to me.” He cradled my hand in his, eyes shining. “You gave me a second chance I didn’t deserve. You laugh at my jokes—which proves they aren’t as dumb as Grey insists—and you have the biggest heart, like, Texas-sized amazing.” His voice cracked, and he cleared his throat. “You are a precious gift, and I—”

“Did she say yes?” Khia poked her head around the corner.