Tumble (Dogwood Lane, #1)(61)

“You’re being beckoned,” he says. A hand on his hip, he sighs. “Apparently she needs to talk to you now. I wouldn’t let her get out of bed because if she does that, we’ll never get her back in there.”

Unfolding my legs, I stand. “What’s she want?”

He shrugs. “I already read her bedtime story, which is ridiculous at her age, but I can’t tell her no.”

“I think it’s adorable.” I start by him, but he pulls me toward him.

“I think you’re adorable.”

“You do, huh?”

“I do.” He plants a loud, wet kiss on my lips. “Now go figure out what she wants so we can move on with our night.”

I take the stairs two at a time. “I like the sound of that.”

Dane’s footsteps fall behind me. “It’s the door with the glitter. Make it snappy.” He pats me on the behind as I enter Mia’s room.

“Hey, you,” I say. “Ready for bed?”

She’s snuggled under the covers. “Yeah.”

“What’s going on?” I ask, sitting on the edge.

“Well . . .” She looks at Dane standing at the door. “There’s this Manicure Day at the gym.”

“I saw the flyer. It looks like fun.” I brush her hair out of her face with my hand. “Are you excited about it?”

She throws the blanket over her head.

“Mia.” I laugh. “What are you doing?” I tug the blanket down so I can look at her. “What’s up?”

She chews her bottom lip. “I . . . You . . .” She takes a deep breath. “Will you go with me?”

My heart melts. “Yes, I’ll go with you. Of course. Why would you think I wouldn’t?”

“It’s for mothers and daughters.” She looks at Dane. “It’s okay if I ask Neely, right?”

I twist around. He’s propped against the doorjamb, looking at us in disbelief. “Yeah. It’s okay with me.”

“You’ll go?” Mia shimmies from under the covers. “It’s in the afternoon, and the girls say it’s so much fun. They do their fingernails and toenails, and they bring them little cookies and stuff.”

“Haven’t you gone before?”

She shakes her head. “I didn’t have anyone to take me.”

“Honey, Haley would’ve gone with you,” Dane says, coming into the room. “Or I would’ve gone. I don’t know how good my feet would look all polished up, but maybe I’d like it.”

Mia laughs. “You can’t go. You’re a boy. And Haley could’ve, but . . . she’s not my mom.”

“Mia,” I say, resting my hand on her lap. “I’m not your mom either. I’m your friend. Your dad’s friend. You know that, right?”

“Yeah.” She grins like she’s playing along to some game and curls back up under her blankets. “So you’ll go?”

“Yes. I’ll go.” I lean forward and press a kiss to her forehead. “Now get some sleep.”

She yawns, waving at her dad as he turns off the light. “Love you, Dad.”

“Love you, rascal.”

I step out of the room when she calls out again. “Love you, Neely.”

I look up at Dane. He touches my cheek, as if that somehow will tell me what to do. “Good night, Mia.”

He pulls the door closed. “That wasn’t what I expected,” he whispers.

“Me either.”

“Are you okay with all that?” He searches my face. “If not, I’ll work it out.”

I take a quick inventory of how I feel in this moment. I have no regrets. I don’t wish anything were different. In fact, I’m happy. I reach up and kiss his cheek. “I’m very okay with it.”

He takes my hand. “Let’s go to my room.”

“I need to do something first. Go on without me, and I’ll be there in a second, all right?”

“I don’t want to go without you.” He pouts.

“Give me five minutes.” I laugh. “I’ll be there. Promise.”

“You have five minutes and your time starts now.”

Rolling my eyes, I head across the hall to the bathroom. Once locked inside, I sit on the toilet seat and pull out my phone. My heart beats a little quicker with every second that passes.

I unlock the screen and pull up my email. Mr. Snow’s offer is at the top. I open the message and hit the “Reply” button.

Mr. Snow,

Thank you for the generous offer. However, after much thought and consideration, I don’t feel this position would be a good fit for me. I appreciate your vote of confidence and wish you the best of luck going forward.

Sincerely,

Neely Kimber

As soon as it’s sent, my shoulders completely fall in relief.

I make my way to Dane’s room and find him lying across his bed. He props up on his elbows when he hears me walk in.

“I have something to tell you,” I say, shutting the door behind me.

“What’s that?”

I walk to the side of the bed near his feet. “I got a job offer yesterday.”

“In New York?” he asks carefully.