Page 75 of Cade

“I would like to propose a toast to my matchmaking skills,” Dawson said as he raised his beer glass.

I swatted at him, causing him to move and slosh some beer over the sides.

“Dawson, stop,” I pleaded.

“No, no, it’s fine. Let the man have his moment,” Weston said with a wink.

“Thank you, Weston. Or should I call you Mr. Rhodes?” Dawson taunted him.

Well, it’s better than a derogatory nickname...

“You can call me whatever you want, Mr. March,” Weston said as he took a sip of his Oban.

“Smart man. As I was saying, a toast to my matchmaking skills. It was in this very bar that I shoved you two together. So, I’d like everyone to remember that when you two get married.”

My cheeks flushed instantly. It wasn’t like I hadn’t thought about the idea, but even I knew things were still way too new and fresh, but the fact Weston didn’t even balk at the mention made my heart flutter like a flock of seagulls.

“Mhmmm. Shame your skills don’t carry over into your own life... or is that just because Mr. March has a tiny firehose?”

“Fuck you, Mitch. Ya’ll know this firehose is a damn triumph.”

“Funny, I don’t see anyone around here limping from your triumph.”

Weston let out a raucous roar of laughter as I shook my head.

“Fuck, Nolan’s here,” Dawson said, his voice shifting from fun and relaxed to angry and annoyed.

We all turned in the direction of his gaze to see a medium height man who looked like something out of Revenge of the Nerds. White button down with pens on the pocket, khaki pants, and glasses.

“Is that the claims adjuster who’s always making your life miserable?” I asked, taking in the sight of Dawson’s nemesis.

Nolan Harding had a knack for showing up at almost every fire Dawson and the firehouse showed up at. He was always going over every report with a fine-toothed comb, which pissed Dawson off.

I’d heard more rants about Nolan Harding than anyone should be subjected to, and I had to admit, seeing him in the flesh in all his nerdy attire was actually comical.

This was the guy Dawson hated?

He’s like Harry Potter.

Dawson’s lips pulled into a tight line.

“Hold my beer. I’m about to go make his life a living hell for once.”

Mitchell rolled his eyes.

“Remember, ladies don’t start fights...” he taunted Dawson as he got up.

“No, but they fucking finish them,” Dawson said in a chipper tone, leaving us to ourselves.

“Did you really date him?” Weston asked, raising an eyebrow.

I thought he would have been pissed when Dawson essentially dropped the tidbit earlier, after I’d officially introduced him to my friends as my actual boyfriend.

“Yeah, but obviously I regained my smarts.”

Weston grinned.

“So, the firehose...”

---