Fools (Licking Thicket 3)

“Not playing any games.” Dunn crossed his arms over his chest. “You said he was a colleague.”

“Yeah? Well, you never said you and Jenn were officially dating, so we’re even.” I folded my arms over my chest too. “You’re leading her on.”

His jaw dropped. “Nuh-uh! She and I talked about it. We’re doing a free trial!”

“A what?”

“Her and me. Ninety days. Risk-free. No commitment. Cancel at any time. To see if we’re suited.”

He said this proudly. Like the concept should be obvious. Like it was a real thing that people did with their relationships all the time.

Meanwhile, I stared at him like he was spouting gibberish because he fucking was.

“Money-back guarantee if you’re not totally satisfied?” I demanded. “Is she some Chuck Norris gym equipment? Or a human being with feelings? You two have been dating off and on for years. You need to fish or cut bait.”

“You know I hate that expression,” he said mulishly.

“Yes, because you don’t like having to narrow your options, and you don’t like having to hurt anyone’s feelings. But too bad, so sad, Dunn Johnson. Sometimes you have to, because hurting someone now is better than leading them on and hurting them later.” And I really wasn’t sure whether I was talking about myself or Jenn anymore. “There is no such thing as a risk-free trial for a relationship. She’s gonna fall for you, Dunn, if she hasn’t already. And shit. Why am I out here worried about Jenn’s feelings when she’s not remotely worried about mine?” I poked his chest again. “This is how messed up you make me.”

Dunn grabbed my wrist when I went to move my hand back and held it in both of his. He stared down at it angrily. “You let him hold your hand.”

“Who? Carter? He’s done a lot more than that. We were friends and roommates and… and we dated, okay? But I haven’t seen him in years before tonight, because he lives in Nashville and travels around a lot, and I… live here.” And why was I explaining all this to him, anyway? “Besides, why do you care who holds my hand? What did you think I was gonna do with any of those guys you set me up with, huh? What are you gonna do on your ninety-day trial? Why don’t I get to do what I want?”

With my free hand, I poked him again… though this poke was maybe more like a shove.

It didn’t move Dunn an inch, the stubborn asshole, and in fact, he grabbed that hand too.

“Because you’re Tucker, that’s why. You’re the good person of the two of us. The one who always knows how to protect someone’s feelings. You’re the one with the million-dollar words. And the one who doesn’t half-ass things, ever. You’re the person I know best in the whole world, and that’s not allowed to change. And you don’t like blue cheese. And you don’t get to like anyone better than me, for God’s sake.”

I blinked at him. Then I blinked some more. “What?”

“What, what?” Dunn repeated impatiently. “I said, you don’t fucking like blue cheese. The first time we ordered hot wings and I asked if we could get ranch ’cause I hate blue cheese, you said…”

“I said I hated blue cheese too.” I shrugged. “Because I wanted you to get the sauce you wanted. But forget that bit. I meant—”

“Forget that bit? Forget that our whole relationship was based on a lie, Tucker Wright?” His green eyes were stormy. “How can I ever—?”

I grabbed one of my hands back so I could capture his chin in my fingers and force him to look at me. “Shush. What do you mean I don’t get to like anyone better than you?”

“I mean… you don’t. Duh. Just like I don’t.” He shrugged. “That’s what being best friends is about. Isn’t it? I never had a best friend before. Not like you and me. Someone who just… gets me like you do. But… but when you have that, you don’t let anyone interfere, right? So, who cares if Jenn and I date? Who cares if we get married? She’s nice enough. But I don’t need anything in common with her, because… I have you.”

Oh my God. This man’s brain was a fucking labyrinth.

How could a functioning human be so foolish?

How could he be so impossibly sweet?

I stared at him mutely for a second, just processing it.

Dunn misunderstood my silence. “I do have you, don’t I, Tuck?” he whispered.

His fingers slid against mine as he pulled our joined hands to his chest, and the kaleidoscope of butterflies that had hibernated through my entire interaction with Carter jumped to life in my stomach and started beating their wings in time to my pounding heart.

I licked my lips. “Most people want their boyfriend or girlfriend to be their best friend also,” I said, just as softly. “Like Mal and Brooks. Like Ava and Paul. Heck, like Cindy Ann and Big Red. Best friends and lovers at the same time.”