Page 54 of How I Love You

"Well," I said, my voice low, thoughtful, "we’re different in a lot of ways, but I think we’re both used to certainty, right? I’m always on the hunt for answers, and you know what you want, and where you want to be fifty years from now. You know your roots and who you are."

Dakota blinked, clearly surprised. "Jeez, you sure know a lot about me."

I shrugged, the corner of my mouth lifting into a smile. "I pay attention."

"So," she began slowly, "because we both like certainty, we should date for real because at least we’recertainit won’t go anywhere?" Her nose wrinkled in that way that told me she didn’t like the idea one bit.

"I think it’s more about it being good for us to do something we’re not so certain of, for once."

She snorted delicately, apparently not willing to let me off that easily. "Do you fold your throw blankets?"

I narrowed my eyes at her. "Are you ever serious?"

"No. Answer the question," she shot back, grinning. "I’m just lookin’ for other ways we’re similar since the certainty thing is kind of a weird thing to have in common."

"I don’t have any throw blankets."

She let out a soft laugh, shaking her head. "Oh, okay. Now I’mcertainwe’re doomed again."

Before I could respond, Dakota stumbled slightly as we turned a corner in the maze, and I instinctively reached out to steady her. She laughed, brushing off the moment, but having her in my arms again—however briefly—sent a jolt through me that I couldn’t ignore. This girl…

"Tell me how you got that scar on your eyebrow," she said suddenly, her voice cutting through my thoughts.

I blinked, caught off guard. "What?"

Dakota pointed to my eyebrow with a teasing grin. "Shouldn’t I know a few things about my fake boyfriend before I decide if I want him to be my real boyfriend?"

I chuckled softly, running a hand through my hair. "It was a Stiletto."

Her eyes widened. "Someone threw a shoe at you? On a case? Were you followin’ around somebody’s cheatin’ ex, and then she caught you tailin’ her and threw the shoe at you out of spite? Or wait, wait, was it after you told the husband what you’d found out about his cheatin’ wife, and she hunted you down and gave you a piece of her mind?"

Wincing, I shook my head. "Nope, none of that. It wasmyex."

Her face fell, concern flickering in her eyes. "Oh. Shoot, Tucker, that’s awful. I’m sorry."

"It’s fine," I muttered, shifting uncomfortably. "You aren’t assuming it was a funny situation?"

She met my gaze, her voice steady and soft. "I don’t joke about domestic violence, first of all, and um... you’re not very funny. I didn’t think you were about to tell me a joke."

Even as I chuckled, I nodded, deeply grateful for her understanding. "Fair enough."

She paused for a moment, her brow furrowing slightly. "Did y’all part ways before it got too bad?"

"Why aren’t you worried about my part in the... conflict?" I asked, the question slipping out before I could stop it.

Dakota’s eyes softened, and she put a hand on my arm to stop me from walking again. Then, she stepped closer and very deliberately reached up and cupped my cheek. "I don’t know you well, Tucker Black, but I believed you when you said I was safe with you. I think anyone would be. I hope I’m not wrong, but I really don’t think I am."

I swallowed hard, her words hitting something deep inside me. "You’re not."

A part of me wanted to tell her everything. About how that relationship had spiraled. About the guilt and shame that still gnawed at me, even though I’d done everything right—kept my distance, never raised a hand or my voice in anger, got away before things escalated too badly. But now wasn’t the time.

Still, I was grateful she hadn’t assumed the worst. Her belief in me meant more than I could put into words.

"Sorry I asked about the scar," she whispered, her voice soft with regret.

"Don’t be," I said, my voice gruffer than I intended. "My turn to ask you something?"

Dakota smiled, the tension easing from her face as she chuckled, and we casually started walking again. "Oh, are we takin’ turns, now?"

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