Page 29 of With This Ring

“That’s true, but I don’t want Jack to miss out.”

Kayleigh reached across the table and touched Dakota’s arm. “You have such a generous heart.” Then she pointed toward the rink.“We didn’t really have a chance to get caught up last night since we were busy with lessons and then decorating. Have you heard from Parker?”

Dakota nodded. “He texted me last night.”

“Really?” Kayleigh rested her elbow on the table and her chin on her palm. “What’d he say?”

Dakota summarized their brief conversation.

Her best friend seemed to study her. “Do youwantto see him again?”

Dakota shrugged. “We talked about making plans next week.”

“You should see him,” Kayleigh said. “It would be good for you.”

Dakota nodded. Kayleigh was probably right. Parker was sweet, thoughtful, handsome, and genuinely interested in her. Maybe he was the guy who would warm her heart if she only gave him a chance.

“Has Layla come in for a fitting yet?”

Dakota swallowed a bite of pizza and wiped her hands on a napkin. “She came in yesterday.” She proceeded to gush about her plan for altering the gown to look like Layla’s mother’s. Though she still had gowns to save after the flood, her true joy was in alterations. “There’s a lot of work to do on her gown, and I can’t wait to get started.” She hesitated and looked down at her plate.

“Hey.” Kayleigh leaned forward. “What’s up?”

She frowned. “Hud paid for the gown.”

“You saw him at the shop?”

“Yup.” She moved her straw around in her drink. “And he changed a flat tire for me yesterday.” She held up her pointer finger. “Oh, and that’s not all. Then I saw him at the bookstore today. He actually handed me one of the books you recommended, then hassled me about getting in line ahead of him to pay.”

“What?” Kayleigh’s blue eyes glittered. “Tell me everything.”

Dakota explained how Hudson was staying in the Airbnb next door and how he had discovered her and the flat tire, then went on to describe everything else that had happened between them during the week.

“Interesting.” Kayleigh lifted her cup. “It stinks that he’s staying next door to you. You’ll run into him constantly. So awkward.”

Dakota rolled her eyes. “You got that right. But the good news is that if he’s in a rental house, he’ll only be here temporarily.” She sighed. “I just wish he’d leave already.”

“Well, I hate to tell you...” Kayleigh leaned forward, her voice low. “But he’s here.”

Dakota’s stomach dropped. “Where?”

“At the snack bar.”

Dakota spun around. Sure enough, Kayleigh was right.

“Don’t stare,” Kayleigh said.

Dakota peered toward the snack bar, where Hudson, Gavin, Jeannie, and Anissa stood. “Oh no,” she muttered.

“Just ignore him,” Kayleigh said.

“Right, right.” But that was easier said than done. She swallowed against her suddenly dry throat.

Kayleigh glanced around the rink without a care in the world. “The theme night turned out great, and I’m thrilled that our patrons are wearing their ’80s garb.” She grinned in the direction of a group of women. “Check out that redhead over there. Her MTV shirt and multicolored pants are fabulous.”

Dakota nodded, trying to focus on what Kayleigh was saying—but she couldn’t resist sneaking a glance at the snack bar, where Hudson still stood with Gavin and his family. She was stunned to find Hudson’s bright-blue eyes focused on her.

***

---