Page 47 of Fall With Me
Finn hollers, “Nice move, Chloe!”
I smile at him. “Thanks, dude. The look on your dad’s face was totally worth it.”
Dawson’s gaze darts between Finn and me, deciding who he should go after. Finn’s a tad bit closer, which makes me think he’ll head his son’s way. But I’m mistaken.
Dawson’s eyes laser focus on me. A predatory smirk on his face.
My stomach swoops in anticipation.
My hold on my protective walls is crumbling faster than stale bread.
I like Dawson. More than I’ve liked anyone before.
What if I let my fear go and allowed myself to try? Am I missing out on the best thing that ever happened to me because of Mom? Every time I see a family, my heart hurts. Why am I denying myself my dream?
But what if I hurt Dawson and Finn?
Ah! I don’t know what to do and I don’t like it.
Chapter 22
Dawson
The jumping mats are not like ordinary trampolines. The rubber is ridiculously slippery, making it almost impossible to play tag. My feet slide like I’m walking on ice barefoot.
When I caught Chloe, triumph pumped through my veins. I know we’re only friends, but my hand had a mind of its own, reaching up to caress her cheek and tuck the stray strand of hair behind her ear. Heat replaced the elation in my veins. Being around her is easy and comfortable and exhilarating all at once.
When she delivered the swift kick that made me land on my back, it was the reality check I needed to get my thoughts in the friend zone again.
After that, my determination to catch her or Finn went out the window. How we’re going to keep working on this company festival together is unclear. The more I’m around her, the more I want to take her into my arms. Her interactions with Finn, her drive to win, her ability to make everythingfun makes it impossible to keep my thoughts where they need to be.
I’m getting attached. So is Finn. As hard as continuing our working relationship will be, I need to keep those boundaries firm. Otherwise, when the festival is over, and I have no reason to talk to her again, I’m not sure how my heart will handle it. It will feel like a breakup when we were never together to begin with.
The employee blows the whistle and instructs everyone to clear the area. His timing couldn’t be more perfect.
“Yes!” Finn jumps one last time before clearing the jumping pad. “I get fries,” he sings.
“I’d like a rematch on solid ground,” I grumble, though I’m not really upset. Finn’s smile means more than winning.
Chloe pats my shoulder. “Not sure it will help.”
“Want to bet?” My eyes go wide as I stare at Chloe. I’ve been around her too long. That’s her line, not mine. And yet I fell for it. Hook, line, and sinker. Call me a guppy. Because around Chloe, it’s exactly what I am.
Chloe laughs, holding a hand to her stomach. “I can’t believe you said that! But after today, I’m done with challenges.”
I eye her skeptically. Can she really last without betting someone again? “Out of curiosity,” I say, slipping my foot into my tennis shoe. “What would have happened if I hadn’t won and refused to go on the ride?”
She shrugs. “Not sure. I’d like to think I’d be as gracious as you and let it go.”
This time it’s me holding my stomach as I laugh. Is she for real? There is no freaking way she would let it go. Myconsequence would be something equally awful, if not more so. If I were Chloe, the night wouldn’t be complete until I paid the consequences to her satisfaction. She’s lucky I’m not as extreme as she is.
Playfully, I swing my arm around her shoulder. “We both know that’s a lie.”
“Do we, though?”
“We absolutely do. Now, let’s go get my son his feast.”
“Yeah, I’m starving and you two are being weird,” Finn says, looking at Chloe and me like we’ve lost our minds. He takes off toward the exit. Dropping my arm back to my side, Chloe and I follow.
