Page 91 of Tight Spot

“That look right there on your face, tells me all I need to know, Dawson. You are the man for her. Now you just have to be the man she needs.”

“How?” I choked out.

“Deal with your shit. Figure out exactly what has always held you back from getting close to people and then figure out a way to change it.”

Oh. “Easy then,” I mumbled.

“Nothing worth having ever is.”

He had a point there.

CHAPTER26

HAILEY

“You need to go home.”

Charlie rolled his eyes and went back to sanding a new china cabinet in the back alley. “I’m busy. Can’t leave yet.”

I stepped outside and squinted in the harsh sun. It was only mid-May, but we were in the middle of a hot run of weather that made the air thick and felt more like August. “I’ve loved your help this week, Charlie, but you don’t need to stay in town to keep an eye on me. I’m fine.”

He tugged down his face-covering mask to keep him protected from dust and the chemicals he was still sanding off the cabinet and dropped the orbital sander. “I know. You’re Hailey. You’re always fine. But it was only a few months ago you were supposed to be married, and now you look even sadder than you did after Darrick left. You’re my baby sister. I’m staying until I feel better about leaving you.”

I wouldn’t win. Charlie hadn’t left my side since he drove me home Friday night. He sat in my living room when Meredith, Sloane, and Misty showed up with champagne, orange juice, margarita mixes and got the front door when all the food they’d ordered was delivered.

Thank God for good friends and tequila, or maybe not the tequila.

I wasn’t fully over that hangover until yesterday, three days later.

But today was day five without Dawson Butler wanting anything to do with me. Today was day five I woke up and cursed my stupid heart for being so damn gullible and thinking he really did feel something for me.

Today was day five of moving on…again.

I was fine. Damn it.

Charlie only left my side to handle the shop on Saturday along with Grace and then brought me to work on Sunday. He was my shadow, plying me with electrolytes and food, and on Monday did the same thing again except demanded I put him to work so I could have an easier week.

My brother was becoming a pain in my rear end, but he loved me, and he might have been more stubborn than I was.

So no, I wouldn’t succeed in kicking him out.

“Well, as long as my heartbreak is all about you.” I went for teasing. Failed. My voice cracked at the end, and I spun around so Charlie wouldn’t glower at me again when my eyes grew wet.

Stupid.

So freaking stupid.

We’d spent a few weeks together. He gave me my first amazing orgasms even if we hadn’t gone all the way. Even if he failed at his end of the bargain and agreement.

So what.

I didn’t need him.

I needed a man who would respect me, who would fight for me. I needed a man who’d stand proudly at my side through every up and down of life and wouldn’t be afraid to tell me he loved me or cared about me.

I needed a man who would be faithful and loving.

Frankly, I didn’t think my standards were all that high but given my history, I was growing in uncertainty.

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