Page 80 of Love for a Lifetime

“I didn’t say that.”

The words were out before her brain filtered them. What was she thinking?

Stepping closer, Dawson brushed the pad of his thumb over her jaw. Every muscle in her body froze, then melted at his touch.

“I’d carry you anywhere,” Dawson whispered.

Oh, wow. That was definitely not a friendly declaration, and a magnetic force pulled her toward Dawson. She wanted him to carry her, hold her, and shower her with the pretty words he used to adore her.

Why was it so wrong to give in? Why did being with the man she wanted have to come at the consequence of her friend’s broken heart?

There was another secret holding her back. She likely couldn’t give Dawson the future he wanted with a wife. He would never be content with just her. He’d want a family–kids who shared his last name and his sea-blue eyes.

Snared by his gaze, she studied his face. They were on the same page now, but this wasn’t the story with a happily ever after. If they took the leap, someone would get hurt.

Dawson let his hand fall from her cheek to grasp her hand. “We need flashlights, and we can leave Betsy with Lauren and Maddie.”

Right. A plan to get her medicine from his truck. The words made sense, but she was having a hard time focusing on anything except his hand gripping hers.

When they walked outside, a deep darkness had set over the camp, and the fire cast long shadows behind their friends huddled around it. The crackle and pop of the burning wood played a soundtrack behind the talking.

Dawson grabbed a flashlight from the ground beside the stump Lucas was sitting on. “Gotta make a trip to the truck. We’ll be back in a few.”

“Everything okay?” Lauren asked.

Olivia waved a hand in the air, the one that wasn’t gripped tightly in Dawson’s. “I left my medicine in the truck.”

“We’ll play with Betsy while you’re gone!” Levi said as the dog lapped at his face.

“Thanks. I think she likes you,” Olivia said. It warmed her heart to see Betsy so happy and comfortable around her friends.

Dawson gently tugged on her hand, and she followed him to the path that snaked into the woods. They walked down the hill in silence before stopping at the creek.

“We forgot the wood,” Olivia said, turning back toward the camp.

“I’ll do it in the morning when I can see better.” He turned to her and handed over the flashlight. “You ready?”

She couldn’t see his face, but she could tell by the lilt in his voice that he was smiling. Her stomach flipped before he wrapped his arm around her. She knew what was coming, and her body’s instinctual reaction was a bubbly celebration.

This time, she was ready. When he settled his hold around her, she did the same, wrapping her arms around his neck and reveling in the closeness. Taking a chance, she rested her head against his shoulder as he leaped over the creek.

The moment in the air was fleeting, but her heart kept flying long after he rested her feet back on the ground. He was her anchor, and her gravitational force had shifted.

It was Dawson–the man who would walk out into the night for her, show up at her door with an adventure, and protect her heart like he protected her body.

When her heels met the dirt, she didn’t let go, and Dawson only hesitated a second before pulling her closer.

“Liv?”

“Yeah?” she whispered. Anticipation buzzed over her skin as her fingers slid into his hair.

“You okay?”

That was a loaded question. She was flying and falling, freezing and burning, weightless and heavy.

Was she okay? She couldn’t even take a full breath.

“I think so.”

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