Page 140 of Fall Fake-Out

Then, her expression turns thoughtful. “Although, I don’t think Wade is one of the bad decisions.”

My heart immediately betrays me, and I smile big, like a woman who just had the best makeout of her life last night—which I did.

“That’s what I’m talking about.” She points at my overdone grin. “Nobody has ever made you smile this much.”

I immediately think about last night.

The dance.

The truck.

The excessive kissing.

“See? It’s like you can’t stop.”

I cover my face.

“There’s no point in covering your face, Ari. It’s obvious to everyone how you two feel about each other.”

“To who?”

“Everyone.”

That answer should embarrass me. Instead, it feels strangely reassuring that, for once, maybe I’m not reading all the signals wrong. That I’m not ignoring a million red flags just because this feels good.

“I was wrong about him.” My mom’s voice softens. “I like who you are when you’re with him. He’s good for you.” Her eyes shine slightly. “And after everything you’ve been through, that’s all I’ve ever wanted.”

For a moment, neither of us speaks. The room feels different somehow. Nothing is fixed or entirely perfect between us, but it does seem better.

“I still reserve the right to worry and meddle.”

I laugh. “I wouldn’t expect anything different from you.”

“But I’m going to try harder to trust you.”

“Thank you.”

“Besides,” she says casually, “if you let that man get away, after the way he looks at you, I’m not sure I can help you.”

A startled laugh bursts out of me, and for the first time in a long time, it feels like my mom and I are standing on the same side.

And it’s a good start.

Ari

At some point over the weekend, I stopped trying to convince myself that everyone else was wrong about Wade having feelings for me.

Landrie.

Liv.

Reese.

The Ednas.

Mayor Monroe.

Even four-year-old Mia.