Page 47 of The Dallas Dilemma

A romp I still can’t believe I’d initiated by teasing him and making him chase me back to his bedroom. That’s notme. I’ve never had the confidence to show someone how much I wanted them like that. But let’s be honest, I’ve never wanted anyone badly enough to risk the rejection. Not only was Dallas worth the risk, Iknewhe wouldn’t let me down. I knew he’d follow, and that’s a certainty I’ve never had the pleasure of feeling.

“More coffee?” he asks, snapping me out of my thoughts.

“Please,” I reply, handing my nearly empty mug to him.

He smiles as he takes it, and something in my chest clenches. So fuckingdomestic.It almost feels like a dream.

I open Cackle while he’s in the kitchen, and apparently, I built my algorithm brick by brick because the first post on my feed is by BodaciousBuckaroo.

DFW@BodaciousBuckaroo211

If you look for it, I’ve got a sneaky feeling you’ll find that love is actually all around.

17 ?8 ?98

Of course,I recognize the quote. The movie title is right there in it, andLove Actuallyis my favorite Christmas movie. Hell, it’s in my top five favorite movies of all time. I start to type out a response, then pause as Dallas returns with my coffee. I thank him and take a tentative sip. My eyes widen as I look to find him watching me expectantly.

I like my coffee sweet and creamy, and he got itexactlyright.

As if he’s read my mind, he shrugs and says, “I paid attention.”

“Thank you.”

He nods and turns his attention back to his phone. I set my cup in the coaster in front of me, and, ignoring the tightness in my chest at Dallas’ pure perfection, finished typing out my response to Buckaroo’s post.

JoeyB@JoeVSVolcano

You’re probably the type to buy your secretary a gold necklace and your wife a CD.

0 ?0 ?0

Dallas’phone chimes with an alert, and I’m a little surprised I have no desire to sneak a peek to see who’s texting him. Normally, that would be my default reaction because of my anxiety and fear of being not enough, but with him? I feel safe.

I feel…

Like I’m falling in love for the very first time.

Cue the panic.

I tilt my head, focusing on my body. No racing heart. No intrusive thoughts about how Dallas could never love me back. Nothing.

I’m falling for my neighbor, and it doesn’t freak me out. What does that mean?

A notification bubble on my screen catches my attention, and I tap it to see a response from Buckaroo.

DFW@BodaciousBuckaroo211

Nothing can bring me down today. Not even you, Joseph.

0 ?0 ?0

What the fuck?Does he still think I’m a dude after all this time? I know he did in the beginning because he called me “brother,” but I guess I’d assumed he’d figured it out by now. I guess Joey is traditionally a shortened version of Joseph, but plenty of women go by the moniker nowadays.

And two guys arguing over romantic comedies for asolid year would be strange, wouldn’t it? Or am I being sexist? Shit, I think I am. Guys can like romcom movies. Point in case, my Cackle nemesis.

Shaking my head, I start to respond with “Josette, idiot. Not Joseph,” before quickly deleting it. I don’t want this guy to have my real name. It’s unique enough that if he’s actually a stalker or a serial killer, he’d have a pretty good chance of finding me. I type a new message, instead.

JoeyB@JoeVSVolcano

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