Page 58 of The Sweetest Mistake

“Because I know you. You’re probably going to order pancakes, a side of bacon, and a Diet Coke. Am I right?”

Before she could answer, they were approached by a hostess. “Table for two, please,” Connor said.

After they were seated, Julia said, “Am I that predictable?”

“Not in all things, but with food, yes.”

When the waitress returned, Connor ordered for them, and then he smiled at Julia across the table. “Don’t be mad at Harper or your mom, okay? If you’re going to be mad at anyone, be mad at me for badgering them until they gave in.”

But with each passing second, her anger was dissipating. He’d come all the way there just to talk to her when he could have waited two more days. And he’d gone to her parents’ house, which couldn’t have been easy. Not when he knew that they weren’t his biggest fans, although her mom seemed to be coming around.

“I’m not mad at them. I was just surprised, that’s all. I expected to have a few days all to myself.”

“Do you want me to leave?” he asked, his expression betraying his words.

She shook her head. “No.”

“Good to hear.”

Satisfied with her decision, they dug into their breakfast, and needing the reprieve, they talked about lighter topics.

“So, Liam’s making a fool of himself over McKayla,” Connor said between bites of scrambled egg.

“Oh yeah? What’s he doing?”

“He keeps asking her out, and she keeps turning him down, but he’s not taking the hint.”

“Sounds familiar.”

Connor laughed. “Yeah. I guess we O’Brien brothers are a stubborn bunch.”

“Not to mention hot!” Oops, she hadn’t meant to say that, even though it was true.

“But I’m the hottest one, right?” he teased.

“Of course, and you’re not at all cocky. Just…”

“Confident,” they said in unison.

This felt good. Laughing, smiling, and teasing each other instead of being at each other’s throats. Even if it was a temporary reprieve from reality, it was much needed, and Julia decided to soak it up while they could. Who knew what was waiting for them back at home?

“Now that you’re here, what should we do today?” she asked, spearing the last bite of pancake.

“I noticed that your parents have a pontoon boat. How about if we take it out?”

“Great idea. Maybe we should stop at a grocery store and get some food to take with us,” she suggested.

Eyebrows raised, he said, “We just ate.”

“I know, but we’re going to want lunch later, and the refrigerator is empty.”

“You’re the boss.”

So, after they paid the bill, they left the restaurant and went to a nearby grocery store. It was the first time she’d done something as mundane as grocery shopping with him, but she discovered that she liked it. One thing was certain, life with Connor would never be boring.

After they’d picked out pre-made sandwiches, potato chips (yes, she had an addiction), and drinks, they were back in the Jeep and heading home. Home. Funny, it wasn’t her home or Connor’s home, but it felt like home now that they were there together. The only thing missing was Ava.

“I met a little girl in the park last night, and her name was Ava,” Julia said.