Page 16 of Fall With Me
My heart floods with warmth like someone’s pouring hot fudge on it.
Tearing my gaze away, I stare at the toe of my boot.
This was what life was supposed to be like with my ex, Willow. Someone who could love Finn as much as I do. Not that Chloe loves Finn, but this hug makes it look like she does. A partner who can help make daily decisions and carry the burdens that come with raising a child. Someone who Ican talk to at the end of the day about life and plans and the future.
And possibly a dog.
I still want that, but it’s not as easy now that Finn’s involved. He comes first, work second, and dating…sometime in the distant future. Finn and I have been through enough the past year. I can’t deal with women at the moment on top of everything else going on in our lives.
Chloe’s now smiling like Finn is the best thing that ever happened to her. There’s a dimple on her left cheek. I didn’t notice it until now. She’s wearing jean shorts and a plain white T-shirt with white sneakers. She looks cute. In a platonic way.
“Hey, Chloe.” I wave at the woman embracing my son.
She pulls back from Finn, ruffling his brown hair. She holds onto Champ’s collar and smiles at me.
“Hey, Dawson. Thanks for coming today.”
Finn stands proudly. “I’m going to pick the most apples today.”
“With how strong you are, you just might get the most.” I chuckle, picturing him jumping to reach the branches and falling short by a good foot or two. He’s going to need a ladder.
“How about we make it a competition?” Chloe says, the same mischievous smile from bootcamp on her face.
Oh, man. What are we in for? Based on her fitness class, I have a feeling this woman enjoys pushing people to their limits. “What are the terms?” I ask.
“We’ll win, Dad. No matter what. We’re unbeatable!”
I love Finn’s optimism.
“Whoever fills the most baskets wins.”
“You’regoing to lose,” Finn says.
I put my hand on my son’s shoulder. “I’m afraid he’s right, Chloe.”
Chloe puts her hands on her hips. “When was the last time either of you picked apples? I’ve been doing this since I was ten.”
“No way,” Finn says, shaking his head.
I’m not a super competitive guy. Sure, I’ll give whatever challenge my best effort, but if I don’t win, I’m not grumpy or mad about it. But if it involves my son? Yeah, you better believe we’re going to do our best to come out on top. If our work doesn’t get us the victory, then we’ll talk about how life is like that sometimes. But I really hope we win.
Another thought hits me. What if we lose on purpose? This would give me a great start at paying Chloe back for ruining her clothes, nachos, and opening game day experience.
But what about Finn?
I’ll do my best, and whatever happens, happens.
“I agree with Finn. I think we’ve got this.” I put my fist out for him to bump. His knuckles hit mine and we both pull away, making our fingers explode like a firework.
“Let’s get started then. Follow me.” Chloe waves a hand. She smacks Champ’s rump. He takes off for the backyard. Going through the wood gate, we tread on the heels of Chloe’s dog.
We round the corner and my jaw drops. Wowzers. This is like the ultimate yard for a kid. There’s plenty of lawn space, a trampoline, basketball court, garden beds, and lining theback fence are multiple fruit trees. Apples weigh heavily on the branches, making them stoop.
We’ll definitely have enough fruit for the festival.
Carter and Kate—who agreed to pick apples, but nothing else with the prep work—are working on a tree at the far edge of the yard. I wave hello to my coworkers. “Happy to see we have help. This is a lot of apples.”
“If you want to take some home, feel free,” Carter says. “We have more than enough. And hey, thanks for helping Chloe with the festival. I like employees who are proactive and go above and beyond.”
