Page 101 of Tight Spot

Winky face and all. I barked out a laugh, wiped tears from my eyes until twelve signs were being held by the people I loved most, all given to them by the man I now knew I loved beyond reason.

“One more.” Dawson gently placed his hand at my lower back, testing, and I grinned up at him. “It’s enough.”

“Don’t move. Dad?”

He walked toward his dad, and he handed Dawson not one but a small stack of cards. He then put his back to my family and friends and one by one, slowly showed me everything that was on his own stack of signs.

I hurt you last week and I’m sorry

I’ve spent a week without you and now know…

I never want to spend another day without you.

You deserve the best

I was afraid that wasn’t me, that I wasn’t capable of it

But good men proved me wrong and told me not to lose…

The best thing that had ever happened to me.

I love you, Hailey.

The sign fluttered to the floor, and I gasped, watching his words in writing fall, stuck on them.

Love?

“Dawson,” I croaked, eyes so blurry from tears I could barely read the next card.

He grinned at me, a crooked, teasing grin that had me chuckling. “Few more.”

I will spend the rest of my days making up for my mistakes

Trying to never hurt you again or make you sad

I will spend every day from here on out, loving you as you love others

Selflessly

Powerfully

Unconditionally

Resolutely

I love you. Forgive me?

“Yes.” My entire body trembled, and I ran to Dawson, but he caught me first.

His hands, warm and strong and steady, cupped my cheeks. “I’m sorry, Hails. So sorry.”

“I forgive you. Just kiss me.”

He laughed, pressed his lips to mine, and a round of claps and whoops erupted behind us. When Dawson pulled back from the kiss, my body was burning hot, my sex needy and already wet and my eyes were still shimmering from all the tears.

“I missed you,” I admitted quietly, for only him to hear.

“You’ll never have to miss me again. I promise. I’m yours for as long as you’ll have me.”

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