Page 59 of Fall With Me
Chloe stiffens beside me. One eye cracks open. She glances at Finn, then at me. She squeezes her eyes closed, letting out a whimper. “I’m so sorry, Dawson,” she whispers.
I give her side a reassuring squeeze, then sit up, forcing her to move in the process. “Sorry, bud. We’ll plan another time for Jackson to stay over, okay? For now, what do you want for breakfast? Waffles? Pancakes?” Finn can have whatever he wants as long as he doesn’t ask more questions about why Chloe and I were on the couch together.
Chloe stands and stretches, her arms above her head. Even with black smudges under her eyes and a messy ponytail, I marvel at how beautiful she is. It’s more than her pretty eyes, toned body, and gorgeous hair. It’s who she is on the inside I like the most. Her goodness shines through her like her soul can’t be contained in her body. Almost like a fairy whose magic you can see as an aura around her.
“I better head home and leave you two to get your food ready.”
Finn scoffs. “I miss out on the sleepover and now you’re not staying for breakfast either?! That’s not fair!”
Chloe freezes, except for her head, which turns toward me, brows rising, silently asking me what she should do.
I hope she’s okay with the lie I’m about to tell. “What she means, bud, is she’s going to head home to brush her teeth because she forgot her toothbrush. Then she’ll come back to eat. Think we can make her a delicious breakfast while she’s gone?”
Finn’s eyes light up. “Chloe, you don’t have to leave. The dentist gave me a toothbrush the last time I went for a checkup, but I haven’t opened it yet. You can use that!”
I glance at Chloe, giving her an amused smile. “You think of everything, Finn. Chloe, do you want to go home or would you be okay using a new kid toothbrush?”
She eyes me with her head tilted.
I keep smiling at her, pleading for her to stay and not make this into a big deal. Barely nodding, I hope she gets the cues I’m sending her.
Chloe turns her attention to Finn. “Using your toothbrush sounds fantastic. Thanks for sharing with me.”
“I’ll go get it!” Finn runs out of the room.
Sighing while running a hand through my hair, I rest my head on the couch cushion. “Holy cow. We dodged a bullet. I thought for sure he’d ask more questions.”
Chloe sits next to me, resting her elbows on her knees. “I’m so sorry, Dawson. I didn’t intend to fall asleep. I feel awful.”
I’m about to rub her back, assuring her it’s fine, when Finn runs back into the room, waving a red and orangetoothbrush around like it’s a World Cup trophy. “I got it! Here you go, Chloe.”
“Thank you, Finn,” Chloe says, taking the brush from him. “I’m glad I don’t have to leave yet and you won’t suffer by smelling my stinky breath.”
Finn shrugs. “It’s okay. Dad says I have dragon breath every morning. You’d fit right in.”
Chloe’s lips move into a mischievous smile. It’s the same facial expression she makes whenever she’s about to place a bet.
My stomach jumps. Pretty sure I’m not going to like whatever comes out of her mouth next. Scrambling, I shuffle to the edge of the couch, but Chloe hops on top of me. “Come on, Finn. Let’s breathe on your dad and see who he thinks has nastier morning breath.”
I’m hit from both sides. What died on their tongues in the middle of the night? With both of them on top of me, I’m trapped, unable to escape the foul smells drifting up my nostrils. I can’t get my arms free to cover my face.
“Ugh, gross! Let me go!”
Wiggling, I do my best to free myself of these monsters who think it’s hilarious to torture me. They’re both laughing like maniacs.
As disgusting as the situation is, my heart fills with warmth. This is what I always wanted with Willow. Weekend mornings spent together as a family, laughing and playing. I’m grateful we met Chloe, who seems more invested in Finn than Willow ever was. Seeing Chloe with my son, being here right now, is making me fall harder for her.
“The king demands you both go to the bathroom right now!” Finding Finn’s ribs, I tickle his side.
Laughing, Finn shuffles away from me.
I turn my attention to Chloe with a playful grin on my lips. “Bathroom or torture?”
Chloe squeals and jumps off of me. Grabbing Finn’s hand, they run out of the room. “Wimp!” I call after her, though I’m grateful she left my poor nose alone. I need some coffee beans to clear my nasal passages. But first, I should brush my own teeth too. As I cross toward the hall, a genius idea strikes me. I hurry to the front door and look at Chloe’s shoes. I find the tag where the size is listed.
Excellent. I can finish paying her back for the football game fiasco.
“Where do you keep your mixing bowls?” Chloe asks as I enter the kitchen after a two-minute shower.
