22. Chapter 22
Chapter 22
Dawson
The jumping mats are not like ordinary trampolines. The rubber is ridiculously slippery, making it almost impossible to play tag. My feet slide like I’m walking on ice barefoot.
When I caught Chloe, triumph pumped through my veins. I know we’re only friends, but my hand had a mind of its own, reaching up to caress her cheek and tuck the stray strand of hair behind her ear. Heat replaced the elation in my veins. Being around her is easy and comfortable and exhilarating all at once.
When she delivered the swift kick that made me land on my back, it was the reality check I needed to get my thoughts in the friend zone again.
After that, my determination to catch her or Finn went out the window. How we’re going to keep working on this company festival together is unclear. The more I’m around her, the more I want to take her into my arms. Her interactions with Finn, her drive to win, her ability to make everything fun makes it impossible to keep my thoughts where they need to be.
I’m getting attached. So is Finn. As hard as continuing our working relationship will be, I need to keep those boundaries firm. Otherwise, when the festival is over, and I have no reason to talk to her again, I’m not sure how my heart will handle it. It will feel like a breakup when we were never together to begin with.
The employee blows the whistle and instructs everyone to clear the area. His timing couldn’t be more perfect.
“Yes!” Finn jumps one last time before clearing the jumping pad. “I get fries,” he sings.
“I’d like a rematch on solid ground,” I grumble, though I’m not really upset. Finn’s smile means more than winning.
Chloe pats my shoulder. “Not sure it will help.”
“Want to bet?” My eyes go wide as I stare at Chloe. I’ve been around her too long. That’s her line, not mine. And yet I fell for it. Hook, line, and sinker. Call me a guppy. Because around Chloe, it’s exactly what I am.
Chloe laughs, holding a hand to her stomach. “I can’t believe you said that! But after today, I’m done with challenges.”
I eye her skeptically. Can she really last without betting someone again? “Out of curiosity,” I say, slipping my foot into my tennis shoe. “What would have happened if I hadn’t won and refused to go on the ride?”
She shrugs. “Not sure. I’d like to think I’d be as gracious as you and let it go.”
This time it’s me holding my stomach as I laugh. Is she for real? There is no freaking way she would let it go. My consequence would be something equally awful, if not more so. If I were Chloe, the night wouldn’t be complete until I paid the consequences to her satisfaction. She’s lucky I’m not as extreme as she is.
Playfully, I swing my arm around her shoulder. “We both know that’s a lie.”
“Do we, though?”
“We absolutely do. Now, let’s go get my son his feast.”
“Yeah, I’m starving and you two are being weird,” Finn says, looking at Chloe and me like we’ve lost our minds. He takes off toward the exit. Dropping my arm back to my side, Chloe and I follow.
“Is he usually this passionate about fries?” Chloe asks, watching Finn make his way to the food stalls.
“No.” I shake my head. “Pizza is his ultimate love. I’m not sure why he’s so adamant about eating those tonight. It’s not like they’re served exclusively in fall.”
“Two questions. First, what is your favorite thing to eat and second, what’s the ultimate fall food for you?”
“I love tacos,” I say. “Authentic is best, but since I don’t have time to make them frequently, we usually eat the basic kind made with ground beef. As for fall, I love chili, apple pie, and a traditional Thanksgiving dinner. What about you?”
Chloe gets separated from me by a mom chasing her daughter, who runs right between us. She gets back to my side and says, “Tacos are delicious. You can never go wrong with them.”
“But are they your favorite?”
“Close. I love loaded nachos. ”
“Like the kind you ate at the football game.”
She smiles. “Exactly like that.”
“And for fall?”
“I’m totally the person who wants pumpkin everything. I make my own sugar-free whole wheat pumpkin bread, pumpkin pie smoothies, pumpkin spice oatmeal, pumpkin waffles, and pumpkin dark chocolate chip cookies.”
Is she one of those Instagram influencers who wears tan hats, plaid scarves, and posts about their pumpkin latte every day? “That’s…extreme.”
She inhales sharply. “Are you a pumpkin hater?”
“I don’t hate it, but I’m not obsessed like you are.”
She holds up a finger. “For the record, I am not obsessed. I don’t eat it for every meal. But I do enjoy savoring the flavor September through November.”
“Be honest. How many times have you eaten something with pumpkin in it already?”
Her hand waffles in the air. “Ten-ish.”
I chuckle. “It’s almost the end of September, and you’re saying you’ve already had something pumpkin-y close to half the days of the month?”
“Someone who zealously loves the fruit would have eaten it thirty times or more by now.”
“Based on what data?”
She taps her temple. “The kind stored up here.”
“So you made it up?”
She scoffs. “You think I’d do something like that?”
My reply is immediate. “Without a doubt.”
“Harsh.”
“The truth hurts sometimes. ”
She pinches my side. “I’d like to hurt you right now.”
I laugh and jump away from her fingers reaching for another spot to grab. “I’m your ride home. You might want to rethink that.”
“Dad!” Finn waves to us. “I found the place.”
“Great. Let’s see what they have.” I stand behind Finn, placing my hands on his shoulders, using him as a shield to protect me from Chloe.
We read over the menu. “What looks good to you?” I ask.
“Hamburger with ketchup only, fries, and a root beer,” Finn says.
Nice try, bud. “Since we’re getting a donut later, let’s stick with water.” I’m all about eating treats, but Finn doesn’t need a drink full of sugar plus a donut. He’ll act like a cat on catnip.
“But I want root beer!”
“Then no donut.”
He stomps his foot. “But you said we’d get a drink and a treat.”
I nod. “I did say that. Your drink can be water or milk. Pick one.”
“I’m getting root beer.”
I close my eyes, pinching the bridge of my nose.
“Finn,” Chloe says, crouching to meet Finn’s gaze. “Did you know eating too much sugar is bad for you?”
“I don’t care.” He kicks the dirt, a cloud puffing in the air.
“But your dad does, and that’s why he’s asking you to make good choices. That way, you’ll be super strong and ready for football and recess each day. ”
“No, he’s being mean.” Finn glares at me. “He gets like this all the time.”
“Is he truly being mean, or does it feel that way because you’re not getting what you want?” Chloe’s tone is soft and inquisitive. “I’m getting water. Want to have the same drink as me?”
Finn huffs but doesn’t clarify if the noise is agreeing or disagreeing with Chloe’s offer.
I appreciate her effort to help Finn understand the reason I’m asking him to choose between two better options. I’m used to demanding Finn follow my rules without explaining the reason behind it. As a parent, I don’t have to give a detailed explanation about every choice I make, but I get how giving some details can help Finn see that everything I ask of him is to make him be the best he can be. I need to be better about it when circumstances allow.
For now, I’m grateful I have someone to help with Finn. Relief washes through me and I mouth to Chloe, “Thank you.”
She nods, a smile of solidarity on her lips.
“Next time we go out, you can have a root beer. Okay?” Because next time, we won’t get dessert.
“Fine,” he screams.
Chloe points behind us. “Finn, should we go check out the giant rocking chair while your dad orders?”
“Wait,” I say. “What do you want to eat?”
She shakes her head. “I’ll find something once you two get your food.”
I feel bad eating in front of her. Does she not like hamburgers and fries? “Are you sure? ”
She nods. “Positive. Come on, Finn, let’s go play while we wait.”
Finn runs off, Chloe following behind.
She’s good with him. It’s another reason I like her as more than a friend. Maybe it’s time to admit defeat and ask Chloe out on a real date and see where this goes?