Page 16 of Falling for the Bombshell (Falling for #1)

Pick-Up & Pizza Vibes

Under the amber wash of streetlights, Linnie ’ s gold Equinox rolled to a stop. Blaine sat on the curb, hoodie pulled up, headphones dangling around his neck, a plastic gym bag at his side. He looked up, grinning that familiar, crooked grin that managed to short-circuit her breath every time.

He looked like something out of a movie—messy and magnetic. Her heart flipped over itself. Linnie rolled down the window, one eyebrow arched. “ Need a ride, stranger?” Blaine stood, slinging his bag over his shoulder as he approached. “ Only if you ’ re not charging Uber prices.”

He climbed into the passenger seat, the warmth of his cologne—clean soap, something woodsy and warm—filling the small space instantly. It made the inside of her SUV feel too close. Too full of butterflies she didn ’ t want to admit to having .

They laughed their way through traffic, Blaine explaining—only half-sheepishly—how he ’ d definitely heard his truck making weird noises but chose to “ believe in her spirit.”

“ You ignored your truck ’ s cries for help,” Linnie snorted, stealing a glance his way.

“ She deserves better.” “ She ’ ll be fine.

Just needs a little alone time. And probably a new starter.

” He shrugged like it wasn ’ t the most predictable mechanical failure ever.

She rolled her eyes, but secretly, she adored how he could turn a breakdown into a punchline.

“ I promise,” Blaine added, “ the next date will be truck-inclusive. Full A/C. Maybe even working Bluetooth.” Linnie smiled. “ Honestly? Kinda love this more.”

Plan B: Car Trunk & Pizza Magic

Instead of the bistro they ’ d originally planned on, Blaine suggested a local pizza joint he swore had the best crust in Montana.

It smelled incredible, so Linnie didn ’ t argue.

They grabbed their food to go and found a quiet tree-lit corner of a parking lot, where they parked beneath twinkle lights and popped open the trunk for a makeshift picnic.

Pizza boxes served as their table, the back of the Equinox turned cozy lounge.

Blaine handed her a slice—pepperoni and pineapple.

Linnie stared at it like it was an alien species.

“ Seriously? You ’ re one of those people?

” “ Pineapple is elite,” he said with pride.

“ Don ’ t knock it—” She took a slow, skeptical bite, narrowed her eyes, and chewed.

Then… a nod. “…Okay. You win this round. Barely.”

They ate and laughed and shared a root beer she almost knocked over—saved only by Blaine ’ s lightning-fast reflexes that clearly justified his wide receiver rep.

She told him about her first solo dance performance and how she still heard the song in her dreams. He told her about Snickers and the dog ’ s questionable cheese addiction, and Bria ’ s latest mission to get Taylor Swift to notice her Instagram covers.

All the while, Blaine couldn ’ t stop glancing at her like she was already his entire future. “ You make everything feel brighter,” he said, quieter now. “ Like I ’ m standing in sunshine.” She blushed so deeply she had to hide behind her slice.

Movie Magic Under the Stars

The Croods was playing at a tiny drive-in outside of town.

Linnie had only been there once—and never like this.

Curled up together in the back of her car beneath a big blanket, they shared popcorn and Twizzlers while cartoon cavemen stumbled through love and lava.

Blaine ’ s knee bumped hers more than once.

Not on purpose. Okay, maybe a little on purpose.

“ I secretly love this movie,” she whispered during one of the sweeter scenes .

Blaine leaned in and nudged her shoulder. “ Victory is mine.” Somewhere between laughter and the second act, their hands found each other under the blanket. No words. Just warmth. Electricity. And something quiet but life-changing.

When she dropped him off, the truck sat hunched in the driveway like a guilty apology.

Neither of them wanted the night to end.

“ Thanks for rescuing me,” Blaine said, voice softer now.

“ Twice, technically.” Linnie gave a sly smile.

“ You ’ re lucky you ’ re cute.” “ Best first date I ’ ve ever been picked up for,” he added, then hesitated.

“ Also… Croods sequel next time?” She laughed.

He laughed. She drove off. He walked inside. Or tried to.

Blaine – 10:47 PM

He had barely made it past the threshold before realization struck. “ Crap. My phone.” He checked pockets. Nothing. Flipped couch cushions. Still nothing. Snickers blinked up at him like, Really? Again?

Barefoot, he raced back out to the porch just as headlights swept across the driveway. Linnie stepped out of her car, clutching the phone like it was treasure rescued from a vault.

“ You scared me,” she whisper-laughed, pressing a hand to her chest. “ I was just gonna leave it on the porch.”

“ You saved me. Again.” He took a step closer but didn ’ t reach for the phone. He just looked at her.

She looked like starlight and soft music and every unspoken feeling crashing in his chest.

He leaned in.

She leaned too.

The kiss was slow. Gentle. Real.

And not just a kiss.

It was his first kiss.

With her .

When they finally pulled apart, both of them were breathless.

“ That was…” she started, barely whispering.

“ Yeah,” he replied, equally dazed.

She handed over the phone, her fingers grazing his.

“ Goodnight, Blaine.”

He didn ’ t stop smiling until her taillights disappeared down the street.

Then he stepped inside, leaned against the closed door, and told Snickers, “ I ’ m so screwed.”

Blaine – 11:08 PM

Snickers curled in his lap as Blaine sat on the couch, phone still warm from her hand .

That was my first kiss.

He typed it. Sent it. Then buried his face in his dog ’ s fur like it might hide the flutter in his chest.

Mistake?

Maybe.

But maybe not.

Linnie – 11:19 PM

Extensions brushed out, blanket tangled around her legs, Linnie barely noticed her group chat buzzing.

She couldn ’ t stop smiling.

She had kissed Blaine.

And then, her phone lit up.

Blaine: That was my first kiss.

Her heart just about exploded.

She gasped, stared, read it again.

Then, after way too much mental spiraling, she finally typed:

Linnie: That just made my heart explode. In the best way. And I ’ m really glad it was me.

Because she was. More than she could say.