Page 87 of Sundown Somewhere

“You’re in charge!”

A devilish grin takes over, and instantly my stomach does somersaults. When it comes to this girl, I’ve always been ready for anything, and that’s the look that has always preceded one of her wild ideas.

“Hux…”

My name sounds like magic as she licks her lips, eyes sparkling with mischief. Oh, I am so here for this.

“Dolly…”

“Empty your pockets.”

She places her hands on her hips as she makes her demand, the sun setting behind her giving it even more power. I do as she says, my heart pounding, ready for wherever this leads.

Taking my hand, our fingers interlacing, she tugs, guiding me toward the creek. We start off slow, picking up pace the closer we get, her giggles giving away her plan. But two of us can play this game.

I stop suddenly, without letting go of her hand, causing her to recoil into me. I use the momentum to scoop her up, pulling her into my chest. I have to fight the urge to kiss her, knowing that will only slow us down. So I take off running again.

Splash!

The cold water of the creek envelops us, Dolly’s shriek lost in the sound of the splashing water. My clothes cling to me, making it tough to move while still holding on to her, but I don’t let go. Not until I’m sure I have my footing and can set her down gently.

She giggles again, pushing her wet hair from her face, looking up at me like she can’t believe we just did that. To be fair, there is a part of me that can’t believe it either. These boots are going to take forever to dry. But it’s worth it.

“Thank you. I needed this.”

“I’m happy you enjoyed it.” I lean in and kiss her, the feel of her against me potent enough to counteract the cold of the water, making my body react all over again. “And if I do say so myself, you might look better in the trashed version of the dress.”

“Ha!” She gives me a playful shove, before tugging at the top of the dress again, the weight of the water working against her and pulling it down almost instantly. “I’m just glad we did it now before it really doesn’t fit. It’s already a little tight. I found some of that weight that I lost for the wedding.”

“You could stand to find some more of it.”

The comment flies out of me faster than I can think to stop it. Almost as fast as Dolly’s head whips up.

“Excuse you?”

Well…shit. Didn’t mean to say that out loud. Ever. And since I can’t unring that bell, might as well go all in.

Here goes…

“Since you brought it up, you lost too much weight for the wedding.”

“I’m sorry?” She holds up a single finger, like she’s about to poke my eye out. “You think I lost too much weight? Are you nuts?”

“Nope, perfectly sane. I miss your curves.”

“My…”

Dolly drops back, her attitude and energy falling away, turning into something more somber. A muddled apprehension. Suddenly, the water isn’t just cold, it’s frigid. And not simply because she isn’t pressed against me anymore.

“Hux…”

Unlike before, this time my name is strangled, like she has to choke it out. My heart plummets, those somersaults my stomach was doing turning into something sour. Fuck. My comment wasn’t meant to hurt her. It was meant to let her know that I liked her the way she was. How did I mess this up?

“I realize that I’m not your type…”

Not my type. How many times has Dolly said that? More than I can count. Hell, that was her reason for trying to pass me off on the photographer at the wedding, because she thought Meredith was my type.

Here’s to another bell I won’t be able to unring…