Page 47 of Tameron

With a last firm shoulder squeeze, Nash left me to my own devices again. Reading was out of the question now, of course. Not when I knew I’d inadvertently hurt Dayton. Again. I grabbed my phone and fired off a quick text.

Can we talk?

Uh-oh

No, not like that. I want to apologize.

For what?

For being a dick

I thought we had settled that?

For being a dick again

…

I shut you out

You did.

It wasn’t your fault.

Okay.

I mean it. This was all me. I needed some time.

…

Which I should’ve told you. I know.

I was worried.

About me?

Yes. And that I’d done something wrong.

Fuck. Nash had been right. Dayton had been blaming himself. That had never even occurred to me before Nash pointed it out. Dayton was… Jesus, the man was a firefighter, a battalion chief, and one of the most competent, confident men I’d ever met. How on earth could I have known he’d get all upset about me not communicating? It was humbling, but it also filled me with an unexpected warmth. It meant he really did care for me.

Can I explain in person?

I’d love that. When?

Tonight? After dinner?

Sure. Text me when you’re on your way, okay?

Will do. Thanks.

Thanks for what? For allowing you to spend time with me? My ego isn’t quite that oversized, you know.

Not what I meant, but whatever.

I was restless the rest of the day until I could finally leave. When I got to Dayton’s, he opened the front door before I could ring the bell.

“Hi.” I shoved my hands into my pockets.

“Hi.”

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