Page 104 of Suck My Puck

“Bella, do you want to grab a snack with me?”

“Yeah, sure.”

Together we walk to the dining room table and graze on the appetizers.

I glance back at Dakota and Sam, who are still chatting and laughing with each other.

“So what’s the story there?” I ask Sophie.

Sophie sets a stuffed mushroom onto her plate. “Oh gosh, it’s a long one. Sam has a major crush on Dakota. But she refuses to see it.”

“Why?”

“Not sure. It’s obvious that he likes her.”

“Yeah, I mean, even I see it, and I’ve only just met both of them,” I say. “Has Sam ever come right out and told Dakota that he likes her?”

Sophie takes a bite of stuffed mushroom and shakes her head. “Nope. Probably because he’s best friends with her brother Del and Del is the most protective big brother ever. And he’s notorious for hating every guy his little sister has dated. I mean, in his defense, a lot of the guys Dakota dated haven’t been that great, so I get why he doesn’t like them.”

“What were they like?”

“Typical fuckboys. They make her pay for everything, they lead her on, or they cheat on her.”

I frown. “That’s horrible. She seems so sweet, she doesn’t deserve that.”

“She really is. Dakota is someone who sees the good in everyone. It’s what makes her the most amazing kindergarten teacher. She’s kind and patient and forgiving. The perfect person to work with kids. I just wish she didn’textend that grace to jerks who hurt her or betray her trust. As her best friend, it’s hard to see her go through that.”

Sophie’s shoulders slump. I feel for her.

I pat her arm. “I’m sorry.”

She offers a small smile. “It’s okay. I know Dakota really cares about Jake. And at least he’s not like the guys she’s dated in the past. But she deserves so much better. She deserves a guy who’s head over heels for her. Who treats her like a goddess.”

I nod. “Totally.”

Sophie sighs and brushes her long, strawberry blonde hair over her shoulder. She glances over at Sam and Dakota. “Hopefully Sam will have the guts to tell Dakota how he feels about her before she gets serious with someone who doesn’t deserve her.”

A second later, the guys and Dakota walk up to us. Xander slides his arm around Sophie’s waist, pulling her close before dropping a kiss to her mouth.

Sam smiles at me. “Jessica Rabbit. Very cool.”

“Thanks. Not as cool as your costume. You’ve got quite a few fans at this party,” I say.

Sam lets out a flustered chuckle. I notice Dakota’s cheeks turn pink while she sips her drink, her eyes still on Sam.

A few of the guys get pulled away to play beer pong. Dakota’s gaze follows Sam as he walks off.

“I think I need another drink,” she says.

She and Sophie walk off to the kitchen island.

Braden presses his hand on my hip, pulling me closer to him.

“I’m a pretty big fan of your costume, pretty girl,” he says in a low, rough voice that only I can hear.

My stomach dips. Tingles spark over my skin where he’s touching me.

“You have a lot of fans too. Lots of ladies checking you out,” I tease.

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