Chapter 25
Chapter
Twenty-Five
LETTIN’ THE CAT OUTTA THE BAG IS A WHOLE LOT EASIER THAN PUTTIN’ IT BACK IN
Shelby
I consider busting through the bathroom door, Kool-Aid man style, but my feet are stuck to the floor, and my heart is beating out of my chest.
Dallas Beaufort Gamble is in love with me.
Let me say that again. DALLAS BEAUFORT GAMBLE IS IN LOVE WITH ME!
What kind of crazy world am I living in? This wasn’t supposed to happen. We’re best friends, something I’ve never let myself lose sight of for a very good reason. Dallas doesn’t fall in love.
But he’s somehow in love with me. And maybe has been for a long time, which I can finally admit is something we may have in common. I never let myself acknowledge it fully before because it wouldn’t have made any difference. He was a good-time guy, not at all what I needed.
I pull my lips between my teeth to keep from laughing or screaming or who the hell knows what. I feel like I’m sixteen. I should really go buy a lottery ticket. Or not, since they don’t sell them to sixteen-year-olds.
More murmuring comes from the other side of the bathroom door, and I wonder for the briefest of seconds if someone is in there with him. But that’s impossible since Dallas Beaufort Gamble is in love with me. A giddy teenager laugh escapes, and the murmuring immediately stops. Oops.
The door opens to reveal Dallas in all his muscular glory, hair wet, chest bare, and a towel draped dangerously low around his hips. Steam billows around him like a frickin’ Hollywood movie, and my mouth immediately waters.
This man is mine if I want him. And, holy shit, do I want him.
Before I can give it another thought, I pounce, closing the distance and throwing my arms around him.
“Oh my god!” My voice comes out in a wheeze against his hot shoulder. “I can’t believe this.” I must have caught him by surprise because his arms don’t automatically close around me.
In fact, he takes a step back and braces his hands on my shoulders before prying me off of him and putting space between us.
My arms drop, and I smile up at him, head tilted in question, ready to hear whatever sweet or funny thing he has to say.
But he’s not smiling back. His jaw shifts, and his brow creases with deep furrows.
“So,” he begins, voice tight. “I was thinking we should plan that public breakup. I know I haven’t found you somebody, but I promise I’ll still make you look like the hero.”
“Very funny.” I go back in, eager to kiss him for the first time knowing how he really feels, but his hands are firm on my shoulders, restraining me. “What are you doing?” My voice is tinged with humor because he’s got to be kidding around. Right?
“I’ve kept you here long enough. You took care of Shane once and for all today, so I don’t think we have to worry about him anymore. You must be dying for your own space again.”
“Dallas,” I begin, my smile faltering. “Please tell me you’re joking.”
“No, ma’am.”
“No, ma’am?” I cough out an incredulous laugh. “Stop kidding around. Is this because I didn’t say I love you back? You did notice the fire and the crowd of people barging in, right?”
“You don’t have to say it. I shouldn’t have said it. It was a mistake.”
“A mistake?” I sound like a fucking parrot repeating everything he says, but I can’t make sense of this. Nelly whines from the doorway, proving he’s just as confused as I am.
“You know how impulsive I am. It’s one of the things that bugs you most about me.”
“No, it’s not.”
“Yes, it is.”
“No, it’s not!” I insist, taking a step back. “Don’t tell me what I think or how I feel, Dallas Beaufort Gamble!”
Nelly whines again, and Dallas frowns at him. “Okay. Fine. You love that I’m an impulsive fuck-up.” His gaze swings back to me. “Are you happy? Now, let’s plan this breakup.”
“No.”
“What do you mean, no?”
My hands go to my hips. “We’re not breaking up.”
“Yes, we are. It was the plan from the beginning, and it’s best we just go back to being friends. We got a little carried away, that’s all.”
“I didn’t get carried away. I’m exactly where I’m supposed to be. And so are you.”
“Oh, so I can’t tell you how you feel but you can tell me how I do?” He throws his hands out, nearly causing his towel to drop to the floor. He rescues it just in time.
“I don’t need to. You told me yourself.”
“Like I said, that was me being stupid and gettin’ a wild hair.”
“I see. And the ring?” I tilt my head.
“What about the ring?” His golden eyes narrow, deepening the creases around them.
“Do you normally get a wild hair and spend five thousand dollars on a ring just for the hell of it?” It seems I’ve stumped him. “Yeah, I know it’s not costume jewelry, Dallas. It’s a beautiful, sweet, way-too-expensive expression of your feelings for me. You love me.”
He releases a sigh of exasperation, and his dog echoes him, having come closer to stand between us. “Of course I love you. You’re my best friend. And the ring looked like you.”
“You’re almost as bad at lying as your father.”
“You deserve nice things.” He reaches down and absently pets Nelly’s furry brown head.
“So do you. And you deserve for someone to love you from the deepest parts of their heart and soul, Dallas. And that’s how I feel about you. I always have.”
He shakes his head, like doing so might make my words scatter in the wind.
“You deserve someone who can give you all the things you’ve always dreamed of, and I’m not that guy.
See how quickly I went from those stupid grand gestures to talking about breaking up right now?
I can’t be trusted. I don’t do long-term, and you know it. ”
If he thinks I’m just gonna let this go, he’s crazy. “Then explain the napkin to me. Why was it in your wallet all these years?”
“What are you talking about?” He crouches for a better petting position, clearly avoiding looking me in the eye while he lies. “I found it a couple months ago and grabbed it on a whim that day Shane acted a fool.”
“What did I just say about you being a shit liar? Am I gonna have to start calling you Pops?” I shift to one hip and glare down my nose at him. “Speaking of, he’s the one who told me you’ve been carrying that napkin in your wallet.”
“Old man doesn’t know when to keep his mouth shut,” he mutters to Nelly, whose tongue is now hanging out as he basks in his master’s attention.
“I’m glad he told me! In fact, I’m ecstatic he told me. Because it proves that we’re meant to be together.”
He finally looks up at me. “Shelby, I already told you I can’t give you what you need. I refuse to break your heart or hurt you, and that’s exactly what I’d do if we tried to make a go of this. We need to break up so you can find your Prince Charming.”
“I already did, and it’s you.”
He straightens and mirrors my pose with his fists on his hips. “I don’t do romance. Haven’t you been paying attention?”
“No. I’ve been a complete idiot and haven’t paid one lick of attention to what was right in front of my face.” I poke his chest. “You, Dallas, are romantic as fuck.”
“You really missed your calling as a greeting card writer,” he drawls sarcastically.
I ignore it, too eager to express how stupid I’ve been. “I don’t need flowery gestures and love notes and romantic getaways to Paris. I just need someone who puts me first and loves me for me. And that’s been you all along.”
“You may think that now, but you’ll change your mind.
You’re not one to give up on anything, especially your dreams and convictions.
” His eyes trace my features. “Look at you. You’re a veterinarian with a thriving practice, you’ve got a close circle of friends and loved ones who you’d do anything for.
You’ve given every fucking loser in the county a shot and have never thrown the towel in.
You deserve everything you’ve ever wanted. ”
My voice cracks when I say, “And that’s you, Dallas.”
His tone, on the other hand, is firm. “No.”
The nerve! “I love you. You’re my person.” I match his tone.
“I’ll always be your person, Shelby, no matter what. I hope you know that.” He turns and snatches a pillow from the bed before pulling a fresh pair of boxers from his dresser.
“What are you doing?”
“I’m sleeping on the couch.” He heads for the bedroom door, securing his towel again as he goes.
“We’re not breaking up,” I tell his naked back.
“Yes, we are.” He grabs Nelly by the collar. I let him take the damn dog.
But I bolster my voice and call after him, “If you think I’m a third-act breakup girl, you’ve got another thing coming, ma’am!” I’ve never been a fan, and I refuse to let Dallas write the rest of this story in the name of saving our friendship.