Page 52 of Fall With Me
I trace my fingertip over his knuckles. “Do I tell Kate we’re together, or is that too much too soon?” Either option is okay with me. My mind is reeling from everything we’ve discussed and gone through tonight, but this feels good. Like my dream is an ember, and it got the oxygen it needed to start a bonfire.
“For Finn’s sake, do you mind if we tell everyone we’re just friends? At least for a little while?”
“Kate will guess. She can read me like no else can. But I can swear her to secrecy. And I don’t want Carter to know yet either. He’s protective of me and as your boss it might be weird. I promise Finn won’t find out about us until we’re ready for everyone to know.”
“Thank you. I just don’t want to get his hopes up, you know?”
I’m trying not to get my own hopes up. I will do my best to not repeat Mom’s mistakes and try my hardest to make us work. But I’m not sure if I’ll ever root out the stubborn weed obnoxiously waiting for me to fail. “He’s been through a lot. I get it, Bear. You don’t have to worry.”
Dawson purposely coughs. “Did you just call meBear?”
“I did. And I won’t take it back.”
“Bear has nothing to do with me…”
“It haseverythingto do with you.”
“Yeah…you’re going to have to explain it to me.”
This time, I bring his hand up to my mouth and place a tender kiss there. His skin is warm and soft on my lips. “You, mister, are just like a teddy bear. Sweet, caring, comforting, protective, thoughtful, and good at hugging. I’m afraid your nickname is now Bear. Get used to it.”
Dawson shifts in his seat. “You get an awesome name like 007 and I’m stuck withBear?” He says Bear like it’s the most childish word in the history of language. “There’s no other option? Danger? Genius? Sexy?”
He is all those other words and many more, but they don’t convey how Ifeelabout him. Being around Dawson is like every comfort in life: a warm, cozy blanket, fuzzy socks, lit candles, a glowing fire, hot soup with fresh-out-of-the-oven bread, all while snuggling in his arms with a sense of peace and safety encompassing me. “Resign yourself to it, B. It’s happening.”
“Things will never be boring with you. Will they?”
I smirk. “Nope.”
Chapter 24
Dawson
My stomach swoops like I’m on a rollercoaster. If Chloe and I are more than friends, do I walk her to her door? Tonight wasn’t a date. How do I handle this?
Finn’s out cold in the back seat. He won’t notice if I hop out for a few minutes to say good night. But is it too soon? We went from co–festival planners to friends to dating in a matter of weeks. Is Chloe expecting a kiss? Am I ready to kiss Chloe?
The answer is easy. Yes. I’d have kissed her the night she claimed she fell on the blanket and landed in my lap. A hug was the better idea, considering we’d only known each other a few days at that point, but now?
I park in her driveway, turning the car off. Shifting to face her, I ask, “Can I walk you to your door?”
She points to the back seat. “What about Finn? What if he wakes up?”
I snort out a laugh. “A siren wouldn’t wake him right now.”
A pleased smile teases her lips. “Then yes, I’d like you to walk me to my door.”
“Stay where you are.” Undoing my seatbelt, I climb out of the car, going around to her side and opening her door for her. Holding out my hand, I say, “007.”
She slides her palm into mine. “You better not let me get used to this if it’s going to stop after we’ve been dating a while.”
“It won’t.” Even after Willow and I separated, anytime we’d meet at the lawyer’s office, I held the door open for her. Mom spent a lot of time in my teen years teaching me how to treat a woman. Quite a few times, I wished I could have let the door slam on Willow’s backside, but being cordial for Finn’s sake always trumped my impulsive behavior.
I put my hand on the small of her back as we walk to her front door. I like being able to touch her like this. Not having to restrain myself or snap a rubber band on my wrist. I foresee plenty of nights of putting Finn to bed and hanging out with Chloe on the couch, making out.
The porch isn’t large and with both of us standing here, we’re quite close. I won’t complain about it. In fact, I’m quite grateful I’m forced to invade her personal bubble. “Did you have fun tonight?” I take both of Chloe’s hands, holding them in mine. Warmth travels from my palms up my arms and spreads throughout the rest of my body.
Her smile is as wide as a canyon. “Some parts were better than others, but yes. I always have a good time with the Reed boys.”
