Page 6 of Someone Like You
She laughed. “Charles.” Without letting go of his fingers, she elbowed his ribs. “His name is Charles.”
“Whatever.” Dawson was back on comfortable ground. “You gonna marry this one?”
“Probably not.” She tilted her head back and looked at the sky for a long moment. “He doesn’t make me laugh.”
Of course he didn’t. Dawson turned to her. He ran his thumb over the top of her hand. “I make you laugh.” He didn’t feel like joking anymore. “So why, London? Why are you with him?” This was the moment he’d been waiting for. He needed to be clear.
“Don’t, Dawson.” She stood and moved to the edge of the dock. “You know how I feel.”
He rose to his feet and eased her into his arms. For a while they stayed like that, caught up in the embrace. As if their bodies knew more than their hearts ever would. Usually he would cut up at a time like this. Practice a dance move or kiss her hand. Anything so she wouldn’t have a reason to tell him what she’d told him so many times before. That she didn’t love him like that.
That he wasn’t the one.
But not tonight. He didn’t feel like being funny, and he wanted an answer. “Tell me why.” He put his hand alongside her face. “That’s all, London. Why not us?”
“The answer’s the same.” She put her hand over his and lowered it from her face. “I’m too wild. I drink with the girls and stay over at my boyfriend’s apartment. You come home and read the Bible.”
Her words hurt. “It’s a bestseller, you know. You might actually like the Bible.” He tried to find his lighter voice, but it was too late. He raked his hand through his hair. “You make me sound like a monk.”
“No.” Her voice rose a notch. “Your beliefs … they’re just … they’re not mine.” A long sigh came from her. “Youknow what I mean. I love you, Dawson, but I’m not right for you.” Sadness welled in her eyes. She shook her head. “I never will be. You deserve better. Someone like me … but with your faith and goodness.”
“I don’t want someonelikeyou.” He ached at the thought. “I want you, London. You’re all I want.” He wondered if he should pull her close again, kiss her in a way that took her breath and changed her mind. But already the moment was gone. She took a step back and returned to her seat. After a minute or so, she patted his chair and waited till he sat down again.
Minutes passed while the water lapped against the dock. Finally she took a quick breath. “I didn’t tell you about the Humane Society.”
“No.” If this was all she was going to give him, he would take it. But only because he had no choice.
She launched into a story about her volunteer work walking rescue dogs and how earlier today during a break from her mother’s coffee shop—London Coffee—in downtown Portland she had taken five dogs for a walk on Twenty-third Street.
“Bad idea.” She seemed to force a laugh. Like things weren’t quite back to normal. She faced him. “Before I knew it the dogs were running in different directions, twisting their leashes around my legs and—”
Dawson wasn’t listening. Sure, he nodded and smiled and tried to pretend the awkward conversation from earlier hadn’t happened. But he didn’t take her hand this time. Half an hour passed and they talked about her mother’s transplant and how long London would be in the hospital, and when she could get back to dancing for the Portland Ballet. Then they walked together to her car.
“I’m sorry.” She searched his eyes. “About earlier.”
He felt a grin creep up his face. “Your loss.” He couldn’t let her see how bad her rejection hurt. Not if he was going to keep her friendship. “One day you’ll settle down. And just maybe, I’ll still be here.”
She kissed him on the cheek and Dawson savored the connection, the way her amber eyes held his. Then he watched her drive away and he had to admit the truth.
The opportunity to change London Quinn’s mind had passed.
Maybe forever.
And there wasn’t a single thing he could do about it.
3
Maddie West’s phone buzzed just as she was filing out of Texas Christian University’s outdoor stadium with her graduating class. They weren’t supposed to have cell phones out, but everyone did and Maddie couldn’t help it.
Not because she wanted a dozen selfies with her fellow graduates. But because she was expecting the most important call of her life. Today, of all days. Maddie was one of ten finalists for her dream job. If she was chosen for the position, a call from the director would come anytime.
Hurry,she told herself.Answer it!From a pocket in her sundress, Maddie slid her phone out from under her gown and checked the caller ID. Indianapolis. This could be it! She stepped away from her group of friends and took the call. The band was still playing “Pomp and Circumstance” and with eight thousand people in the stadium it wouldn’t be easy to hear.
She plugged one ear and focused. “Hello?”
“Maddie West?” The voice belonged to an older man. “This is Director Bob Schilling at the Indianapolis Zoo.” He paused. “We were quite impressed with your résumé and your interview. You have the training and attitude we’re looking for and you’re qualified to work with the public.” Another hesitation. “So … on behalf of ourpersonnel department, we’d like to offer you a position at the zoo beginning the first of June.”
“Sir?” For a second, Maddie wasn’t sure she had heard the man right. “You’re … you’re serious?” She squeezed her eyes shut. Anything to hear him better. “I got the job?”
