“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 spendfive thousand dollarson 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 downmy 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.”
