Page 100 of He Loves Me, He Loves Me Not

‘Did something happen last night? You’re being weird.’

‘Besidesyougetting blackout drunk? No. Nothing happened. You created the awkwardness you’re feeling there, big fella.’ I drop onto my knees in front of one of my suitcases, digging for clothes.

‘These can find a new place to live,’ he suggests, pointing at my bags all over the room, then dropping onto his bed.

‘Where am I supposed to put them?’

‘I don’t care, just get them out of here. Maybe you can go sweet talk Mom and Dad into letting you stay with them.’

My heart sinks. ‘You want me to leave?’

‘You really want to sleep on our couch? You’ve been here weeks. Do you have a job? Anything?’

‘Stop,’ Dax says from the door. ‘She’s helping me with the show. She’s not leaving.’

We both glance back at him. He’s fresh from the shower in only a towel. Hell’s bells, he’s beautiful. His face is filled with concern as he looks from me to River.

‘What the hell do you care?’

‘We need to talk,’ Dax says, focusing on River. ‘I don’t have time right now, but tonight. Bible Club. Seven?’

‘Sure?’ River seems confused but isn’t arguing.

‘I’m just gonna go shower,’ I say, grabbing my things.

Dax steps aside, allowing me out of the room before following me towards the bathroom. River’s door closes behind us.

‘If you want to stay with your parents, you can, I just – he was being an ass, and I went all protective. Again. I’m sorry. Old habits.’

‘You’d protect me fromRiver?’

He nods. ‘Just like he’d protect you from me. But I’ll back off. You’re not exactly mine after one night.’

I grab his hand before he can back away from me. ‘Maybe I want to be,’ I tell him.

He stares at me for a long time, a grin growing on his face. ‘Mine?’ he asks. ‘You’d consider actually dating me?’

I laugh, confused by his perplexed tone. ‘You thought this was a one-night stand?’

‘No, I want it to be more. I just…’ He lifts a shoulder, an adorable half-smile on his face as he slides his thumb over my palm. ‘I thought suggesting an actual relationship was too soon after your break-up, and I didn’t want to pressure you.’

‘I do what I want to do, Dax. Right now, I want to see where this goes.’

He plants a kiss on me that takes my breath away. No tongue, just absolute adoration that makes me crave more of him. I am totally falling for him. Me, in love with Dax Hartley. Who’d have guessed it?

27

DAX

Later That Day…

Maybe she does want to be mine. I keep thinking about her responses to that idea this morning. She has no clue what those words have done to me.

We finished most of the flower arrangements for this wedding just before we had to leave for the venue and we’re now halfway through the timed arrangements for the reception. Our showstoppers this time are giant centerpieces made of roses, hydrangeas, and birch branches. They’ll sit in the center of the ten reception tables and two extra-large pieces that’ll bookend the bridal party table.

‘Ah!’ Hollyn hollers from a few feet away.

I glance over and bolt to her, grabbing the vase falling my way. She’s on a ladder standing over the arrangement that’s practically as tall as she is, and right this second, I’m our only hope to salvage the vase of flowers on its way to the floor. I somehow grab it, knocking a few chairs over in the process.

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