Page 54 of Fall With Me
I get to date a woman who’s awakened long-abandoned hopes, dreams, and feelings. My lips refuse to stay in a neutral position. The entire drive home, I smile, excitedly waiting until I get to see Chloe tomorrow.
Chapter 25
Chloe
I am not a cool, calm, and collected girlfriend. Thoughts of Dawson’s smile, his gorgeous brown hair, and his deep eyes flash in my mind. No matter how hard I focus on leading my fitness classes and working with my personal clients today, all I really want to do is hang out with Finn and Dawson. Between clients, I shoot him a quick text.
Me: We never said if texting was okay or not. If I’m coming on too strong, tell me. But how’d your day go? Was Finn a beast this morning from staying up later than normal last night?
Back in high school, Kate was obsessed with this guy Tad. She talked about himnonstop, always wanted to be with him, and played MASH a million times over, putting only Tad’s name as the marry options.
I’ve turned into Kate. At the time, I was so annoyed with my best friend. We got it. She loved Tad. He coulddo no wrong.
Now I want to singSound of Musicstyle, complete with twirling in a field of wildflowers, about how much I like Dawson. How we’re dating. But I can’t. Mum’s the word, and keeping a secret has never been so freaking hard. I’m a delicate egg shell, and the tiniest force will break me. All Kate has to do is mention Dawson’s name, and like Humpty Dumpty, I will crack and spill everything.
My phone pings with a text.
Daw-Bear: He’s fine. I’m not though.
My stomach drops to the floor. What’s wrong? What happened to Dawson? We were with each other less than twenty-four hours ago. Did he change his mind about us? Is he sick? With shaky fingers, I respond.
Me: What’s going on? [sad face emoji]
Daw-Bear: This charming witch I know stole all my concentration. [witch emoji] I can’t sleep. I can’t work. All I do is stare at my computer screen with a crazy smile on my face. It’s a good thing I’m at home and not the office. Carter would fire me.
My cheeks grow warm and my lips pull into a grin.
Me: Yikes. Might need to go on a hunt and burn her at the stake. [witch emoji] [stop emoji]
Daw-Bear: Something’s burning, that’s for sure. [fire emoji] [heart emoji]
Me: Want me to feed the flame or put it out?
Daw-Bear: [shower emoji] I need to go. I’ll call you after Finn goes to bed tonight.
I snicker, loving how open he is about his feelings. My nerve endings hum. I’m grateful Dawson isn’t afraid to confirm he likes me and is attracted to me. The problem is, the more he talks like this, the more I want to kiss him.
Me: [kiss emoji] Hope the shower does the trick. [wink emoji]
“You seem chipper,” Kate says, lying on my couch, her legs draped over mine.
Don’t mention Dawson. Don’t mention Dawson. Don’t mention Dawson. “Mmhmm.”
She studies me, her eyes narrowing the slightest as she does so. “Is planning our company festival thrilling?”
If I don’t give her something, she’ll keep prying. I promised Dawson I wouldn’t be the one who told her outright. “Yes. It’s been a lot of fun. How’s work? Things slowed down yet?”
“Fine and no. But I’m used to the heavy workload.”
“And Carter?” How in the world am I going to tell Carter I’m dating one of his employees? Does he think Dawson’s a good guy? Will he approve? Carter’s opinion means a lot to me.
“Not really sure.” She shrugs. “For the first time in months, he’s worked from home this week.”
“Bummer. Were you lonely at the office without him on Tuesday?”
“No,” she says, a bit too defensively. “Why would Carter working from home make me lonely? Besides, I’ve been hanging out with Boston more. He’s fun.”
Is he though? Honestly, anyone is better than Boston. “Oh. I didn’t know.”
