Page 55 of How I Love You

"If you’ll let me."

She tilted her head playfully. "Proceed."

I hesitated for a second, then dove in. "What’s the deal with Dr. Dummy?"

Her eyes widened slightly, and she let out a soft laugh. "Yikes, I guess I deserve that after what I asked about."

I felt my body tense, all of my senses on high alert. "Did he hurt you?"

"No!” Her hand immediately flew to my arm, as if to calm me down. “No, I’m sorry. Not physically. It was more of an emotional ride... One I never should have bought a ticket for in the first place."

I exhaled slowly, shaking out my arms. When had I clenched my fists?

Clearing my throat, I worked to get it together. "So... What happened, then?"

Dakota sighed, a distant look flashing across her face. "Well, obviously, you know we work together. We have for a few years now. And about a year ago, we happened to find ourselves in the same storage closet?—"

"Wait, do I want to hear this story?"

She swatted my arm, laughing. "Hush, I’m not about to tell you anythin’ bad." She sobered a bit as we continued walking. "He admitted that he had feelings for me, but he didn’t want anyone at work to know because he didn’t want them to talk about me."

"He didn’t want people talking about you?" I frowned, feeling a surge of protectiveness I hadn’t expected.

She shrugged, clearly trying to downplay the sting. "He made a great case for why it would be bad for me, bad for my career... but it was all about him. Didn’t want anyone findin’ out he was datin’ another nurse at the same time."

I clenched my jaw, my fists tightening again. "That guy’s a fool."

She let out a short laugh, though it didn’t quite reach her eyes. "Anyway, it’s for the best. I’m not surprised he wanted to hide me, other nurses or not. He often said I was too much, and he wasn’t the first one, either. Sure he won’t be the last."

"To tell you that you’re too much?" I asked, my voice low, serious.

She nodded, though the way she looked at the ground told me she was trying to hide how much that sentiment still hurt. "Yeah... It’s a common thing. Everyone knows it, but hey—I don’t know how to be less, ya know?"

"You shouldn’t try to be."

She snorted, clearly expecting me to brush it off. But I didn’t.

I wouldn’t.

"I’m serious," I said, stopping in my tracks before stopping her, too. "Don’t ever make yourself less because someone else thinks you’re too much."

Her eyes widened, a flicker of surprise and uncertainty flashing across her face. She wanted to believe me—I could see it—but she was scared. Scared that maybe I didn’t really mean it.

But I did.

And if that loser wasn’t man enough to enjoy every bit of her—as much as she could give—he wasn’t a man at all. Not a good enough one for her, that was for sure.

"You sound like a motivational speaker," she joked, but her voice wavered slightly. "Can you write that out on a sticky note so I can put it on my bathroom mirror?"

I stepped closer, my gaze never leaving hers. "Here’s something for you to put on a sticky note: Any guy who thinks you’re too much for him isn’t enough for you. Got it?"

She stared at me for a moment, her mouth opening slightly as if to say something, but no words came out. Maybe she wanted to make another joke—ask me for a pen or something. But I was glad she couldn’t. It meant she was listening. Her eyes softened, and I thought I’d gotten through to her, but then I saw the doubt lingering, like she was afraid to trust what I was saying.

"Oh, please," she muttered, her voice barely above a whisper.

"What?" I said, my voice firm. "I’m serious."

She let out a soft, shaky laugh. "Well, yeah, ya always are. But that doesn’t mean you’re speakin’ the truth. You think I’m too much, too. Admit it."

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