Page 76 of Tight Spot

Hearing that dumb fuck’s name made my blood boil. “You’re not going with him.”

She scoffed, but a flash of pain flared across her face. “Of course not. But he’ll be there.”

“When are we going?”

“What?”

“When is it? And what’s the dress?”

“I told my mom I can skip it. It’s just…he'll probably be there with Bianca, and I don’t know if I’m ready…”

Fuck that. I said those exact words, and she gaped at me. “You’re not skipping out on something like this because of that shithead. If it’s to celebrate women-owned businesses and you own one, then you’re going, Hailey. We’re going.”

So much for slowing this down. Not hurting her. Hell if I was going to let her go to this alone, and she definitely wasn’t skipping out on something for her because of some guy.

“You don’t have to do this, Dawson.”

“I know.” I crossed my arms over my chest, dared her with a look to argue with me. “When is it?”

“Friday.” She mumbled the words, defeat stamped all over her.

“All right. Friday night. I’ll be at your house at…”

“Seven?”

“Six thirty. I’ll be there.” Get a drink in her. Get her to relax.

Then I’ll happily shove her in Darrick and Bianca’s fucking faces all night. Show him how much happier she is away from him.

“You don’t have to do this,” she said again, but her spine was straightening. Her color returning.

“I know.”

A hint of a smile appeared. “All right then. Friday.”

I was in front of her before she could blink. Bending down as she gaped at me with surprise.

“Dawson…”

I stole the rest of her words with a kiss, keeping it slow and light. I didn’t slam my mouth to hers like I wanted, and I kept my tongue firmly inside my mouth. If I unleashed it, I’d take her again.

Not sure that was safe for either of us anymore. But I could give her Friday.

“See you soon, Hails,” I murmured against her lips. “Drive safe.”

She left shortly after, giving me a small wave and smile as she pulled her Camry out of my driveway.

I stood in my doorframe long after her car was gone.

We could take a step back, but I could support her on Friday. Be there for her in a way that wasn’t what we agreed, but she needed. And then we could end things.

Screw the wedding.

Management wouldn’t know if I brought a date or not, and Caldwell wouldn’t care.

Yeah. That’s what we’d do. We could walk away Friday, even if I hadn’t done the one thing she truly wanted.

I wouldn’t be that guy that fucked her and dumped her.

---