18. Folding Like A Lawn Chair In The Name Of Love
EIGHTEEN
folding like a lawn chair in the name of love
Wesley
It’s weird having Dahlia here, but I love it.
We haven’t talked much about our families, but I know enough about Dahlia to know she doesn’t have much now, and her dad is a problem.
She seemed comfortable enough at dinner, but it probably wouldn’t hurt to check in with her.
We eat and Jasper skulks off to get the fire going and Aunt Lorraine turns her attention to Dahlia.
“So, Dahlia, Wes says you have ideas to run by us. The farm itself isn’t doing all too great, so it’d be nice to turn things around.
” Stone nods his agreement. I try to mask my surprise when they know about the financial issues, but I suppose they’re not oblivious, even if Jasper is trying to keep it quiet.
Dahlia looks to me and shifts nervously in her seat, her physical tells always giving her away before she even speaks.
“Well, there are a lot of grants out there to start new programs and one of my professors suggested an organization that’s helped fund programs similar to my idea in the past. There would still be a lot to figure out, but Wes offered to show me around.
Between the bunch of us, maybe we can get something going?
Plus, the research for a proposal like this would help my thesis a ton. ”
It all sounds well and good in theory, the problem is going to be convincing Jasper. Even if he knows it’s a good idea, anything coming from Dahlia will be met with resistance. Speaking of the devil, Jasper appears below the deck to let everyone know the fire’s going.
As we sit around the growing fire, Aunt Lorraine passes out blankets, handing one to Dahlia and I and one to Daphne and Jasper, who sit side by side.
Jasper shoves the blanket to Daphne and moves to leave, nearly knocking his plastic chair over, before Daphne grabs his hand and yanks him back down.
Surprisingly, he yields and stays angrily seated beside her.
I spread the blanket around Dahlia’s shoulders and she lifts the right corner to motion me to share.
Amber reappears alone, having put Liam and Emmett to sleep, ready to take off her mom hat for a while.
I noticed fuckhead Dale wasn’t here and while I’m happy he’s gone, it leaves Amber alone like she always is.
“Dale around tonight?” I know the answer, but it still pisses me off when she confirms he’s been gone since yesterday.
I’d do anything for Amber and her boys, but I’d be lying if I said her situation doesn’t trigger me.
It triggers me for a lot of reasons—because she stays for her kids, because she’s tied to a horrible man, because I know she wants out.
All of it hurts me to see, but it’s gotta hurt her worse.
If she’d let us, Jasper and I would kick Dale to the curb and make sure he never got to see Amber ever again.
As the fire rages, I’m more lost in my thoughts than I realize because Dahlia softly nudges me and asks, “You okay? You look like you’re deep in thought.”
“Yeah. Yeah, I’m good. Sorry, mind’s drifting. All good.” I’m changing gears now, distracting from my obvious shift in mood. “So tomorrow, we can see the horses and the farm. You can ride my horse if you’d like? Her name’s Lucy, and she’s gentle.”
“That would be perfect. Let’s hope I don’t completely eat shit and sustain a horse related injury. I’ve never even been close to a horse. Hopefully Lucy will like me enough to be patient.”
“You’re easy to like, Dahlia. I’ll be right there should you need any rescuing.”
As the night goes on, I feel myself easing into the comfort of being around her, it’s easy for my true feelings to slip out as we talk.
Her grin is captivating as she looks at me, fire light making her glow.
I need to rein this in, because this little crush is surely one-sided.
The sad reminder has me looking away from her gaze, as if I’m not completely enamored.
My avoidance is short lived because Dahlia asks to see my art, pulling me right back into her orbit.
My immediate thought is of course followed by a quick fuck no.
The conflict must be written on my face because she stands and offers, “It’s actually okay.
I’m probably going to head to bed now anyway. Get a good night’s sleep for tomorrow.”
I find myself shaking my head partly in disbelief I’m going to allow myself this vulnerability and partly because I’m so unbelievably fucked and I can’t bring myself to care.
“Nah, come on up with me.” I reach for her hand and pull her behind me back to my cabin.