Page 114 of Simon Says

“No, but I don’t want to dismiss Barnaby, either. Out of nowhere, after nearly thirty years, he’s suddenly so insistent on seeing me that he pressured Dakota into helping him. I can’t help wondering why. If Marvin and Barnaby know each other, they could both be involved somehow.”

“I suppose it’s possible.” Barber worked his jaw. Marvin would be the obvious choice, but knowing now that Barnaby wanted to meet Simon…yeah, he could guilt Dakota into helping him. “Let me talk to Dakota, see what she has to say.” He’d find out what she’d told Simon, and how Barnaby had finagled her into this mess.

“So you do know Barnaby?”

“I didn’t say that. Look, I gotta run. The band’s ready to start and you need to get hold of Dean if you don’t want Dakota in and out of mall parking lots on her own.”

“Right.” Simon paused, then said, “Listen up, Barber. I don’t think I need to tell you—”

“Yeah, yeah. She’s off-limits. Touch her, and you’ll kick out my kneecaps. Got it.” He grinned again. No matter how hollow he felt about losing his opportunity with Dakota, he couldn’t pass up the chance to prick Simon’s jealousy. “Just remember, if she ever tells me otherwise, it’s every man for himself.”

He hung up on Simon’s heated curse.

Simon hadn’t said if he loved Dakota, but he hadn’t denied it either. It was going to be fun watching the two of them muddle through.

Fun, and torturous.

But what the hell. Sooner or later, another lady would appeal to him. Dakota was unique, but she couldn’t be the only woman around with her distinctive qualities. While he waited for the right woman to show up, he’d work on his character flaws a little.

Or not.

Right now, he only had to concentrate on putting on a good show. Given how he loved his music, it’d be easy to shake off his melancholy. And tonight, he’d have Dakota all to himself.

He’d find out everything he needed to know—and then some.

DAKOTApicked up another pair of jeans, and at the same time, she looked at Dean out of the corner of her eye. He wore a frown, the same frown he’d had when he picked her up. Hands shoved in his jeans pockets, his attention constantly moved between his sister Jacki, his wife, Eve, and Dakota.

He looked watchful, miserable, and resigned.

Knowing that Simon had put him up to babysitting, she lost her patience. “Look, this is ridiculous.”

Startled, Dean narrowed his gaze on her. “What’s that?”

“You don’t want to be here. Hell, I don’t even want to be here.” She pointed at the other side of the small boutique where Jacki and Eve gushed over a sequined top. “They’re enjoying it, but you and I look like we’re being tortured. I know why I’m here. But why the hell are you here?”

If anything, his eyes narrowed more. “I’m accompanying my wife.”

“Bull. You’re playing bodyguard. Simon called, nagging at me about what to do and what not to do, and I’m willing to bet he did the same to you.”

“No one tells me what to do.” Dean rethought that and said, “No one other than my wife, that is.”

“Fine. He suggested, then. Strongly.” She shook her head. “The thing is, I don’t like shopping anyway, but I especially don’t like it with you moping behind me!”

Without changing expression or position, Dean managed to look more imposing. “I do not mope.”

Unfazed, Dakota snorted. “No? Then what would you call it?”

“Suffering silently.”

“Ah.” She couldn’t help it, she snickered. “Well, let me tell you, your silent suffering is annoying as hell. Why don’t you go get something to eat and we’ll call you when we’re done?”

Dean loomed closer so he could speak to her without his wife or sister overhearing. “You have a whack-job ex-husband stalking your stubborn ass. My wife and sister are with you. I’m not budging.”

That was pretty straightforward and to the point. Dakota could tell Dean expected more arguments from her, but in reality, his attitude made her want to sigh.

So much affection and devotion. She smiled. “You care for Eve a lot, huh?”

Dean didn’t so much as flinch. “I love her.”

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