Page 35 of Love for a Lifetime

Olivia jerked back. It was almost as if she’d been slapped. The last thing she wanted was for Dawson to feel like he wasn’t good enough.

“There’s nothing wrong with being your date. Any woman would be lucky to be your date.”

“But not you.”

Each word was a slap in the face.

She opened her mouth, but nothing came out at first. The hurt on his face split her in two. “That’s not it at all.”

“What is it, Liv?”

“It’s not just a date. There are expectations, and–”

Dawson held up a finger. “There are no expectations. I would never expect anything from you or any of my dates.”

Olivia waved a hand in front of her face. “That’s not what I meant. I mean dates usually lead to more dates and relationships. That’s not where we’re headed.”

The confession left her mouth cottony. A tingle burned behind her eyes.

“That’s not where I’m headed with Anna either, but I’m taking her to the wedding. It’s okay if you don’t want to go to the wedding with me, but reminding me we’re just friends would have been a lot easier.” He ran a hand over his face, and his eyes half-closed as if they were heavy. “Maybe you’re right, but I don’t want Anna to have those expectations either.”

“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have tried to drive the situation. I just know Anna is looking forward to it now. I think you’ll have a great time with her.”

Dawson slowly nodded, and his shoulders sank. “I’m sure it’ll be fun.” His eyelids fluttered closed, then open again. “These meds are making me drowsy.”

“Go to sleep. You need to rest.”

His eyes closed, and he quietly said, “But I want to spend time with you. Without expectations.”

Olivia swallowed past the ache in her throat. Dawson was so good. It was easy to love how much he cared for others. No wonder Anna raved about him all the time.

But if someone had to end up brokenhearted, it had to be Olivia. Anna was the one who picked up the shattered pieces when Olivia’s mom died. Anna was the one who encouraged Olivia to get outside of her bubble and do amazing things. Anna was the best friend a woman could ask for–a sister who urged her to look to the Lord when things got tough.

The thought of hurting Anna burned more than missing out on a chance with Dawson. It was only a chance anyway–fifty-fifty at best–that anything could ever work out with Dawson. Those odds were even better than her chances of being able to have kids of her own.

Despite his playful flirting, she had to keep her guard up. In order to pursue anything with Dawson, she’d have to confront Anna, and having that talk would inevitably hurt them all.

Dawson reached out a hand toward Olivia and opened his eyes. “Come here.”

She stood and hesitantly placed her hand in his–letting her palm brush against his. He threaded his fingers through the gaps between hers and clasped hard.

He looked up at her with tired eyes. “I’m sorry.”

Olivia shook her head. “I’m the one who’s sorry.”

“You didn’t do anything.” His eyes fell closed, then slowly opened. “Thanks for staying. I promise I’ll wash your car every week for the rest of the year.”

Olivia chuckled. Her car was a disaster zone ninety percent of the time. She was usually too busy rushing from one task to the other to clean it out. “You’re joking.”

“I never joke. I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

Olivia shoved his shoulder with her free hand. “Get some sleep. You’re talking crazy.”

He let their clasped hands fall to the bed as his head rolled to the side. “Okay.”

When his eyes stayed closed, she waited a few more seconds before scooting the recliner closer to the bed so she could keep his hand in hers a little longer.

9

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