Page 51 of Falling for Keeps

Really? Dinner with me tomorrow night?

Emma

Sure.

Seth

Then we can make a detour to the ridge…

Emma

We’re not sixteen, so that might be weird.

What I don’t say is that we don’t have to park our car somewhere to make out anymore. But I don’t want him getting any funny ideas about the library’s processing room.

Seth

It’s a date.

Why does my stomach drop when I read that? This is what I wanted. I’m enjoying my time with Carson too much because his face is the thing that pops into my head when I read those words. I really like him…a lot. He’s funny and smart and kind and makes me feel attractive. I can’t remember the last time—or any time, really—that one man incited all those feelings in me.

But he’s off-limits. He’s been so clear about that. I’m only hurting myself by feeling these things.

I close the door and head upstairs to find a pair of jeans and thick coat so I don’t freeze tonight, telling myself I’m making the right choice with Seth. Eventually, I’ll stop thinking about Carson.

I have no other choice.

Bugelbach’s Pumpkin Farm has a plethora of round orange pumpkins ripe for the picking, yet Penny still takes a good half-hour to make her decision. I don’t blame her. A decent carving pumpkin is important. You only get one each year. This is a big thing for nine-year-olds.

It’s a big thing for anyone who cares about carving.

“We need more,” Penny says, patting the top of her pumpkin where it sits in the wagon between mine and Carson’s. “Nana needs one, and we need to pick some out for Aunt Maven and her friend.”

Friend? I mouth to Carson.

He leans over. “Ben Walker.”

“Got it.” I crouch to turn over an orange pumpkin that’s a little tall. “This one looks pretty good.”

Penny crouches next to me. “My Nana would like it.”

“Perfect.”

“What about this one for Maven?” Carson asks, toeing the nearest pumpkin with his shoe.

Penny doesn’t approve of it, so she goes on a hunt for another couple of pumpkins that suit her tastes, while Carson and I hang back and follow her around the patch.

“Maven’s here?” I ask.

“Yeah, a quick visit to take care of a few things. She probably won’t have time to carve this thing, but Penny won’t accept that answer.” He rubs the back of his neck. “Maybe we could sneak it in this weekend.”

“Oh.”

“Don’t tell me you’re too busy to carve pumpkins with us, Emma. My little girl will be disappointed.”

“I’m sure having her aunt there will eclipse my lack of presence.” I shoot him a look. “Anyway, I’m not sure. I have a date Friday, and Sunday is kind of set aside for my family. We have a thing, and I’ll be cooking for it all morning.”

When I look over, Carson isn’t standing next to me anymore. He hangs back, his forehead creasing. “A date?”