Page 15 of Fall With Me
I’m too ashamed to tell her I’m scared of being abandoned again. Or how horrified I am I’ll repeat my mom’s mistakes. There are some things too hard to share with anyone. This deep, dark secret of mine is one of them. “Thank you, doctor, for your analysis. Can we go back now? I don’t want to miss the third quarter kickoff.”
“Only if you promise if you meet the right guy, you’ll give him a chance.”
Crossing my toes, I say, “I promise.”
I’m not looking for anyone. Where does she think I’m going to find my soulmate? Despite how lonely I am, singlehood is my calling in this life. Wonder if Grammy and Papa would let me get some cats at the duplex…a black one would be perfect.
Chapter 8
Chloe
Dawson and I have plans to check out a few venue options in two weeks. I’m working on gathering ideas for the food, festival favors, games, and prizes. Regardless of where we hold the festival, we need apples. Either to make caramel apples as the festival favor, as one of the stations attendees can stop at, or for a game. But I’m vetoing bobbing for apples. Saliva and snot shared by dozens of people? Hard no.
I gag thinking about the nastiness of it.
Me: We need to pick apples for the festival. Are you free on Sunday morning?
Dawson: Possibly. Send me the details.
Dawson’s been a godsend the past week, responding to every message I send him with ideas. I have no idea why he’s willing to help with something he doesn’t like doing, but I’m too afraid to ask in case he bails on me. I text him the time and the address of Grammy’s house. Using her apples also cuts down on expenses, which Carter will appreciate.
Dawson
Turns out Chloe and Carter’s grandparents live two streets away from me. We’re basically neighbors. Finn and I pull up to the brown brick rambler. The lawn is freshly cut. Flowers and bushes decorate the front garden bed. It’s homey and exactly what I wanted for Finn and me when I bought our house in this area.
“Ready, bud?” I ask Finn.
“Yeah!” He pops his seatbelt off and pushes out the back door.
He seems way too excited for a chore. I agreed to help Chloe with this festival because Carter has reminded me more than once it’s up to me to make sure Creative Source is happy. They’re our VIPs to the appreciation festival, and I figured if I took initiative and helped Chloe I’d know exactly what’s going on and I can make sure Creative Source is happy at the end of it. And hopefully prove to Carter I can handle the pressure and follow through on what I say I'll do.
I can’t afford to get fired. I’m the only one responsible for Finn now, and the added pressure to perform well at work keeps me going.
“Wait up,” I say, getting out of the car.
The second he slams his door shut, a golden retriever comes running from around the side of the house. Its tailwags in excitement. Finn runs toward the dog, ready to love on it.
“Whoa, bud,” I caution. “We don’t know if it’s friendly or if we’re allowed to pet it.”
“Champ!” Chloe yells, coming through the side gate from the backyard. “Champ, come here, boy!”
“Chloe!” Finn leaves the dog alone and runs at Chloe full speed.
“Hey, Finn,” Chloe says.
Finn flings his arms around Chloe’s torso, giving her a hug.
Her eyes go wide. She stares at me with a desperate “help me!” look.
I should pull Finn off her, but it’s a little funny seeing her freak out over a hug. He’s a kid for heaven’s sake. He has energy and loves easily.
Shrugging, I mouth, “Just go with it.”
Chloe’s brows jump up.
This hug should be over by now, but for some reason, Finn’s really lingering. I’m about to break it up until Chloe’s expression softens. Her brows lower, her lips turn upward. Finn’s hug softened Chloe.
Huh. How about that?
