Just Don't Fall (Sweater Weather, #1; Appies, #1)

by Emma St. Clair

I don’t need you to set me up with someone.” Especially not Aaron. “It’s already done,” he says. “No,” I say. “It really isn’t.” And then, I start down a stupid and dangerous path—one paved with lies. “I have a date.” There’s a pause where Dad takes in my words. Regrouping, probably. Planning his countermeasures. “Who are you bringing?” he demands. “It doesn’t matter who,” I say, trying to scramble for some idea of who I can name. More than that, who I could actually bring. Because I cannot tell my father I have a date and then show up alone. “I’m not going with Aaron. Or any other son of some important business partner.” I’m distracted by movement on the ice. Eli has spotted me up here and is waving with his puppy-like enthusiasm. Van stops beside him and blows me a kiss. I wave back, grinning. Such goofballs. When Logan looks up, skating the periphery of the rink, my stomach does a little shimmy. Even from afar, his attention affects me. Dad’s voice jerks me back into the unpleasant conversation I’m currently having. “How do I know you haven’t made up some fictional date just to get out of going with Aaron?” My father is a smart man. The track record of his business is a testament to his acumen. But it’s scary—almost Javi-level scary—how quickly Dad figured out my game. “Of course I didn’t make someone up,” I lie, my gaze pulled again to Logan. He’s stopped by the goal, his head tilted back, regarding me. He doesn’t wave, but the little head nod I get is somehow better. ...