12. Chapter 12
Chapter 12
Chloe
A loud screech startles me awake. My heart pounds. What time is it? Where am I?
Blinking, it takes me a minute to recall I’m at Dawson’s. On his couch. Watching a kids’ show with his son. My eyes are like sandpaper. Checking my watch, I gasp.
“Finn,” I hedge. “What time do you normally go to bed?”
“Nine.”
Oh crap. It’s after ten. Why hasn’t Dawson kicked me out yet and tucked his son into bed? I lean around Finn.
One glance at Dawson’s sleeping form, and I get why Finn’s awake. Poor Dawson. He said this week was busy. Why is a single father helping me with a festival? As tough as it is for me to see Dawson like this, I appreciate his insight and won’t refuse his offer to assist. Though I’m really tempted to.
I nudge Finn. “Hey,” I whisper. “It’s time to turn the show off and get ready for bed.”
Finn rubs his eyes. “Ten more minutes? ”
“Sorry, but no.” I take the remote from him. “Will you please brush your teeth, go to the bathroom, and change into pajamas?”
He huffs. “Fine.”
Finn moves as slow as a growing gourd. As soon as he heads down the hall, I lean over, tapping on Dawson’s knee. “Dawson?”
He sighs, his lips puffing as air exits his mouth.
Well, this is awkward. Do I shake Dawson awake? Tuck Finn in and put a blanket over Dawson? If this were Kate or Carter, I’d go with letting them sleep while I put the kid to bed. Dawson and I have known each other for only a few weeks. Pretty sure he doesn’t want me wandering through his house without his permission.
I hesitate long enough that Finn ambles back into the family room exactly where he left me. He tosses a book at me. “I can’t fall asleep until we read.”
Checking out the cover of the book, I hold back a laugh. Dog Man. Finn told me about this book at dinner. I open the graphic novel where the bookmark is poking out and start reading about some crazy shenanigans the characters get into. I’m holding back my laugh, giggling quietly so I don’t wake up Dawson.
Finn has no quiet mode and laughs out loud. Dawson doesn’t even stir.
I hope their house never catches on fire. Dawson sleeps like the dead.
We finish the chapter, and I hand the book back to Finn. “Have a good night’s sleep, Finn. I’ll see you tomorrow at your game. ”
Finn throws himself at me.
Oh. Uh. This is…unexpected. This kid really likes to hug and touch me. Hesitantly, I wrap my arms around him.
“Good night, Chloe.”
I really don’t want him getting too attached to me. He’s a sweet kid who deserves more than someone like me can offer him. “Good night, Finn.”
Finn waddles away, carrying his book lazily at his side like he’s too tired to hold it.
I’m grateful he’s old enough to put himself to sleep. Glancing around the family room, I spot a blanket on the floor by the love seat. I fan it out, draping it over a sleeping Dawson.
Not one to spoil an opportunity (especially when I know nothing will happen between us except being co–festival planners), I take my time studying the handsome guy on the couch. His brown hair has a hint of gold under the overhead light. A few fine lines fan around his eyes. They don’t make him seem old, just more distinguished. Dark lashes, like Finn’s, brush against Dawson’s skin. His lips are plump and perfect for the shape of his face. A fact I’ve chosen to ignore until this moment.
You must keep ignoring it all, Chloe.
Spinning on my heel to head to the front door, my foot gets caught in the extra blanket pooling on the floor. Losing my balance, I topple over.
Right onto Dawson.
He lets out a loud “oof” as his arms and legs shoot up in the air .
Heat snakes through me, scorching me with embarrassment. “Oh my goodness, I’m so sorry,” I say, attempting to scramble off his lap at the same time Dawson is trying to figure out what exactly is going on. Our arms tangle, our bodies shift. We’re making a bigger knot of ourselves.
“Why are you on me?” He pushes my side like an annoying sister is bothering him.
Excellent question, Dawson. Excellent question.
I chuckle nervously in response, putting my left hand on the back of the couch, and my right arm behind me on what I think is the couch cushion, but it’s too firm to be the soft seats I occupied. Glancing over my shoulder, I see what I’m actually touching.
Dawson’s thigh.
His upper thigh.
Yelping, I yank my hand away, a new flow of heat rushing into me. Retreat! Retreat! I’m getting myself out of here before I embarrass myself further.
Scrambling like a fuse is about to explode under me, I jump off Dawson, cheeks aflame. “This is not what it looks like. I promise!”
Dawson stands, his eyes roving over me. “Uhhh…”
I cover my face with my hands. “You fell asleep. I tripped on the blanket when leaving and accidentally landed on top of you.” Taking a risk, I peek through my fingers at him. “Again, I’m sorry.”
He blinks a few times, running a hand through his hair.
I’m holding my breath, waiting for him to tell me I assaulted him and he never wants to see me again. Jeez, I’m not even sure I can handle being around him after this .
“Where’s Finn?”
“He went to bed.”
He nods. “You sent my son to bed so you could steal a snuggle?” His brows rise. “Bold move to make on a sleeping person.”
I drop my hands from my face. “That’s NOT what happened!”
He cocks his head, pointedly stares at the couch, then back at me. “Isn’t it?”
“Dawson, no.” He has to believe me. I would never do something like that. “I promise it was an accident.”
He slowly nods his head, thinking through my response. “Some advice for next time—”
“There won’t be a next time!” I say exasperated. “I didn’t mean to fall on you.” Why won’t he listen to what I’m saying?
His lips twitch, fighting a smile. “Stealth is the way to go, not an ambush.”
I groan. “You think this is funny?” I’m humiliated.
He laughs. “It’s absolutely hilarious. You attacked me in my sleep.” He stands, opening his arms wide. “If you need a hug that bad, bring it in.”
I shake my head.
“Don’t be stubborn.”
“Dawson,” I warn.
“Chloe,” he mocks.
“Fine,” I concede to a crime I didn’t commit. “You caught me. Okay? Happy now?” I step into his waiting arms, wrapping mine around his torso. “This was my evil plan all along. Sneaking a hug from my brother’s employee.”
Dawson’s chest rumbles with a chuckle .
I’m taken aback by the peace flooding my body. Who knew a hug could be so cathartic? So nice? So comfy ?
This feeling is too easy to want and I can’t want it. Can’t have it.
Bringing my head back into focus, I creep my fingers upward until they find his ribs, digging in between the bones, counting them like Carter used to do when we were little and he’d tickle-torture me.
He jerks away from my fingers, but doesn’t let me go. “Put those bad boys away. I’m doing what you wanted.”
Ignoring the warning bells in my head about how this is a bad idea, I concede, and with exaggerated slowness I spread my fingers across his back. Accepting the hug he’s offering, I surrender to his warm embrace. It soothes and heats me at the same time. Like sipping on tea, snuggled in a blanket, while watching a romance movie. It’s a pleasant feeling—one the instant we break apart I know I’ll want again.
Ugh, stupid Dawson and his stupid hug. Why didn’t I run out of his house instead of playing along with him?
“Better now?” Dawson asks.
I burrow into the crook of his neck, sniffing that clean scent of his. “Loads.”
He pulls away and I tug my shirt down, running my hands over the nonexistent wrinkles.
“Good. Anytime you need a hug, feel free to ask without going to such extremes. It’s creepy and completely unnecessary.”
I shake my head, laughing because no matter what I say, I can’t win with him. “Okay, Dawson,” I say, rolling my eyes .
“I’m going to head to bed. Alone .” He winks. “Finn will be up sooner than I like.”
“You’re going to tease me about this accident for quite some time, aren’t you?”
“Yep.”
Yay. I can’t wait. “Good night, Dawson.”
“Night, 007.”
“What?”
“Oh, you know, just a subtle hint for you to watch some James Bond movies and figure out how to be a covert spy. Next time, you might get that full cuddle session in.”
I smack his chest. “For the last time, I wasn’t trying to do anything except leave.”
He grins. “Sure you were.”
I scoff, heading to the front door.
Dawson watches me get in my car and reverse out of his driveway. The entire drive home, I bask in the glow of receiving a hug from Dawson Reed and his teasing.
Turns out my brother’s employee is funny, gorgeous, and gives great hugs. Now to erase how his hug made me feel. Because I can’t fall for a guy, especially one who has a kid. I can’t risk hurting them.
But I can be there for them as a friend without getting rejected.