Love's Misstep

nics and draws hers

to invade on your personal

soft smile on her face assuring him th

he hesitated, she needs to

night

y, goodnight" he

wn café where Lily worked. It was a busy Thursday afternoon, and she flitted from t

e a daily routine but for some reason Jake never texted the other day and still haven't text today, because of this Lily wasn't in a good mood. For two days, she'd b

d the aged woman in front of her, t

y said and Lily imme

g out a soft sigh. *Maybe I read too much into it,* she thought. She wa

voice cheery but automatic. When no one imme

he was

green eyes locked onto hers. He wore a shy smile, his hands tucked into the pockets of his de

stepping out from

aid, his voice so

been meaning

ows fu

word," she said,

k to text, but

ratching the ba

ee you in person. Texting wasn't g

d, caught

do you

apart. He pulled a small bouquet of wildflowers from behind his back,

able to stop thinkin

h to me, and I didn't want to mess it up with a half-thought-out text. So her

he could only stare at him. The clinking of plat

she finally managed, he

said, his green eye

s her face, and she took

a girl waiting, don't you?" s

t up to you,

singl

s flushed as

es. I'd love to b

stomers who had overheard the exchange. Jake grinned

lot more often," he said, h

y replied w

ing you disappear for

so he would drive her home when s

you might say No" he

asked as she drew the flowers close to nose and smell

aking a quick glance at her. Lily found herself blushing like six

arking yard. She couldn't believe he re

ered my par

s I have a pho

sarcastically and they

th your parents

ately" Li

g an apartment soon

, if staying with your parents is comfortab

right. She thought he was about to make fun o

parents. Maybe some other time, i

ily was excited but tr

her parents, she couldn't wait. She c

r parents' house. The large Thompson home looked warm and inviting, its front windows

orry about, Lil," he sai

milies is m

softly, shak

you're prepari

m," Jake repli

and sister? It's the most

yes, but a smile

ll probably love you. But my sister? Rose is..

Lily followed him to the front door, where the faint sound of laughter and cli

aling Ellen, Lily's mothe

med, pulling her dau

s must b

said, offering a f

to finally meet y

e Ellen," she said,

f you. It's free

ed in the hallway, his tall frame and firm han

said, siz

uite a bit about

, specializing in civil cases. Most of my work involves m

his stern expression

eople like that

tes from the courtroom, stories laced with just the right mix of humor and humility. He described a recent case where

as enth

t must be so rewarding t

admitted, hi

winning cases. It's about making su

pprovingly, cle

u're in the rig

g to relax, a voice cut t

vincing people to agree

Lily's older sister and her polar opposite. Where Lily was warm and reserved, Rose was fie

. He met her gaze

l isn't to convince people, really. It's

ised an

being a lawyer mostly a

practice," Jake said,

tcuts. Loopholes might win cases

er hands, break

ready! Let's mov

tion. He shared stories about his childhood, growing up with a single mom who worked t

ake a difference," Jake said, his v

-eyed, and even Ca

ined silent, watchi

rt was served, sh

aid, her tone lac

all the right answers.

e set down his fork and l

air questio

me letting things go. I can be stubborn, and I'm terrible at cook

smiled. Even Rose seemed

nally, a small smile

t you're

over everyone, including Rose. As they p

," she admitt

you, I'll make su

d, hugging

ea

to the car, Jak

'd I

she said, her voice

you now. That's

gri

Courtroom

he first time, she felt certain that Jake wasn't just the