Page 94 of Falling Back to You

“You did? Or is this Paisley?”

“Cal.”

I sighed, waving a hand. “Continue your groveling.”

Greyson shot a look heavenward, a gesture I was very familiar with. His way of praying for patience. “Yeah, my wife had some excellent insight on my behaviour. That’s what marriage is. But I’m not here because she made me. I’m here because I can admit I messed up.” He cleared his throat. “It came from a place of concern, but . . . I could have handled it better. You’re your own man. And a fine one.”

I blinked rapidly. My twin never got mushy if he could help it, but his affirmation was everything I needed to hear after years of messing up.

“I saw how Elle was with you and Khia. And . . . I’m sorry.”

The sincerity in his eyes—a mirror of mine—made it hard to hang onto my annoyance. But I knew he was right, too. He’d stepped out of line, but I could have had a bit more grace.

“Apology accepted,” I said at last, fiddling with my gloves. “And for what it’s worth, I did think about what you said. You weren’t wrong. I needed to slow down and consider instead of jumping in feet first.” I cleared my throat. “But I’ve prayed about this for a long time. It isn’t a snap decision, and I have peace about it.”

Greyson nodded silently. “Then follow His leading.”

“And . . . I’m sorry I took a dirty shot and mentioned Liam.” I made sure to hold his gaze. I needed him to hear me. “That wasn’t your fault. It never was.”

Greyson swallowed hard.

After giving him a moment to collect himself, I motioned between us. “We good?”

“We’re good.” He clapped my shoulder, and I yanked him into a tight hug.

“And if I date Noelle, you won’t bite my head off?”

“You have my blessing.”

Did I need it? No. But it felt pretty good knowing I had it. Call me a sap, but I hated it when we were at odds.

“Again?” I raised my gloves.

He smirked. “Ready for a repeat performance?”

“It’s cute you think that wasn’t just a fluke.”

Greyson lifted his hands, rolling his shoulders. “Bring it on, Cap.”

And I absolutely creamed him. Best night ever.

Chapter thirty

Cal

Khia perched on my shoulders, enjoying the sights from high above the crowd while we waited with Greyson, Paisley, and Rosie Cotton near the café after church the next afternoon.

“Daddy, they have caramel corn!” Khia announced, her small fingers gripping my hair.

“A little too tight, Lovebug.”

“Oops.” She giggled and released her death grip. My hair follicles sighed in relief.

Greyson locked in on something over my shoulder and nodded.

I thought at Greyson with all my might. Dude, we cleared the air. Be on your best behaviour and don’t you dare embarrass me. Noelle had left a wake of damage in her departure, but the Noelle who left wasn’t the same Noelle who’d come back. Maybe I was too hopeful, too optimistic. It wasn’t the first time I’d been accused of that. Izzy hadn’t appreciated my exuberance.

We’d never been a great fit, but in that past chapter of my life, I’d been looking for a good time and no commitment—the illusion of intimacy without involving feelings. Anything to forget the woman I loved and who stole my heart right out of my chest when she left. Eventually, Izzy came into the picture. When we found out about Khia, that moment seared into my mind. For the first time in a long time, I was responsible for something more than myself. It terrified me—and woke me up.