Page 26 of Fall With Me
One glance at Dawson’s sleeping form, and I get why Finn’s awake. Poor Dawson. He said this week was busy. Why is a single father helping me with a festival? As tough as it is for me to see Dawson like this, I appreciate his insight and won’t refuse his offer to assist. Though I’m really tempted to.
I nudge Finn. “Hey,” I whisper. “It’s time to turn the show off and get ready for bed.”
Finn rubs his eyes. “Ten more minutes?”
“Sorry, but no.” I take the remote from him. “Will you please brush your teeth, go to the bathroom, and change into pajamas?”
He huffs. “Fine.”
Finn moves as slow as a growing gourd. As soon as he heads down the hall, I lean over, tapping on Dawson’s knee. “Dawson?”
He sighs, his lips puffing as air exits his mouth.
Well, this is awkward. Do I shake Dawson awake? Tuck Finn in and put a blanket over Dawson? If this were Kate or Carter, I’d go with letting them sleep while I put the kid to bed. Dawson and I have known each other for only a few weeks. Pretty sure he doesn’t want me wandering through his house without his permission.
I hesitate long enough that Finn ambles back into the family room exactly where he left me. He tosses a book at me. “I can’t fall asleep until we read.”
Checking out the cover of the book, I hold back a laugh.Dog Man.Finn told me about this book at dinner. I open the graphic novel where the bookmark is poking out and start reading about some crazy shenanigans the characters get into. I’m holding back my laugh, giggling quietly so I don’t wake up Dawson.
Finn has no quiet mode and laughs out loud. Dawson doesn’t even stir.
I hope their house never catches on fire. Dawson sleeps like the dead.
We finish the chapter, and I hand the book back to Finn. “Have a good night’s sleep, Finn. I’ll see you tomorrow at your game.”
Finn throws himself at me.
Oh. Uh. This is…unexpected. This kid really likes to hug and touch me. Hesitantly, I wrap my arms around him.
“Good night, Chloe.”
I really don’t want him getting too attached to me. He’s a sweet kid who deserves more than someone like me can offer him. “Good night, Finn.”
Finn waddles away, carrying his book lazily at his side like he’s too tired to hold it.
I’m grateful he’s old enough to put himself to sleep. Glancing around the family room, I spot a blanket on the floor by the love seat. I fan it out, draping it over a sleeping Dawson.
Not one to spoil an opportunity (especially when I know nothing will happen between us except being co–festival planners), I take my time studying the handsome guy on the couch. His brown hair has a hint of gold under the overhead light. A few fine lines fan around his eyes. They don’t make him seem old, just more distinguished. Dark lashes, like Finn’s, brush against Dawson’s skin. His lips are plump and perfect for the shape of his face. A fact I’ve chosen to ignore until this moment.
You must keep ignoring it all, Chloe.
Spinning on my heel to head to the front door, my foot gets caught in the extra blanket pooling on the floor. Losing my balance, I topple over.
Right onto Dawson.
He lets out a loud “oof” as his arms and legs shoot up in the air.
Heat snakes through me, scorching me with embarrassment. “Oh my goodness, I’m so sorry,” I say, attempting to scramble off his lap at the same time Dawson is trying to figure out what exactly is going on. Our arms tangle, our bodies shift. We’re making a bigger knot of ourselves.
“Why are you on me?” He pushes my side like an annoying sister is bothering him.
Excellent question, Dawson. Excellent question.
I chuckle nervously in response, putting my left hand on the back of the couch, and my right arm behind me on what I think is the couch cushion, but it’s too firm to be the soft seats I occupied. Glancing over my shoulder, I see what I’m actually touching.
Dawson’s thigh.
Hisupperthigh.
