Page 46 of Fall With Me
Dawson doesn’t have to buy me food. He shouldn’t be paying for anything out of pocket either. Carter gave us money to use while we work on the festival.
Dawson shakes his head. “Not true.Donutsand a corn dog were the plan. But if I lose, I’ll throw in the extras.”
Finn grabs my shirtsleeve, yanking me down to his face. Cupping his hand around his mouth, he whispers in my ear, “Don’t follow me or come by me. If we stay apart, Dad can’t catch us. I really want fries. Don’t mess this up for me. Okay?”
I bite my lips to keep from laughing. Finn’s shown me a lot of sides to his personality, but I haven’t witnessed this bossy, determined part before. “You have my word.” I use my finger to make a cross over my heart, showing Finn I’m as dedicated to his cause as he is.
We store our shoes in the cubbies and head to the giant rubber balloon. Finn looks at me one last time, then he takes off to the opposite side. Dawson is closest to me. The surface is too slippery to run on. It’s easier to bounce away from Dawson.
Dawson, the big tease, follows me.
But I’m not going to be the reason Finn doesn’t get his coveted fries.
We’ve had too many food mishaps already in our short relationship. Jumping, I aim to land in the middle of the pad, but another kid gets in my way. I lean to the left, avoiding the little boy and falling on my side. Rolling to my back to stand, I’m stopped by the last person I want to see.
Dawson hovers over me, a grinmaking the wrinkles around his eyes more pronounced. The brown of his eyes glows with glee. He bends down until his face is inches from mine. I suck in breath as he holds my gaze.
Holy smokes.
This man is handsome.
My heart gallops like Dawson is my knight here to steal me away on a white horse.
Dawson glides his finger across my cheek, tucking a piece of my hair behind my ear.
A river of lava sparks to life everywhere he touches me.
I lick my lips. The world around us falls away. There are no kids bouncing, laughing, or squealing. There’s no one but Dawson and me, caught in this bubble. Heat like lightning striking an electric wire zips between us.
Dawson leans even closer.
I close my eyes, desperate for him to kiss me regardless of the consequences, because right here? Right now? I don’t care about anything except Dawson’s mouth on mine.
His cheek brushes against mine.
My lungs stop.
I can’t stand the waiting. It’s torture and exhilarating at the same time.
Dawson’s lips tickle my ear. He whispers, “Tag, you’re it.”
Goosebumps rise on my neck and arms. My chest rises and falls like the surf before a hurricane.
He pulls back slightly and smiles.
Finally, what he said registers.
The disappointment of him not kissing me deflates my lungs like a popped balloon. I’ve been doing so well thinking of him as a festival partner and friend. I can’t take any more of my body’s reactions to Dawson because they definitely are not in the friend territory. Doing theverymature thing to get myself back in the appropriate headspace, I grin back at Dawson, sweeping my legs under his feet.
His legs fly in the air. He lands on his butt.
Bingo!
His eyes go wide and his jaw drops. He stares at me like he can’t believe I just knocked him over.
Dawson’s shock gives me a chance to scramble away from him like a crab. Finnwillget his fries tonight. “You’re it!”
Once my legs are free from Dawson’s I jump up and bounce my way as far from Dawson as I can get.
