Page 39 of The Cupcake Cottage

Violet knew the full scoop and was rooting for them, but meanwhile Dak didn’t even know Maverick was seeing someone—her. What did that mean? Was he trying to keep her in a work-only box? Don’t tell your BFF, don’t invite your gal into your woman-free zone?

“We’ll think of something big,” Daisy-Mae said, taking her hand back from Maverick’s, feeling a tiny bit like she was getting in faster and deeper than Maverick was. She stood, starting to collect the dessert plates.

“Maverick, honey, can you start the coffee?” his mom asked. He stood and moved to the kitchen as Jenny and Dylan continued to tease and flirt at their end of the table. Carol asked hesitantly, “Are you two dating?”

Jenny said easily, “Sure, I’m his girlfriend. I have a thing for hockey players.” She rolled her eyes, but Daisy-Mae noticed that her cheeks had gone pink.

Dylan replied quickly, “I’m going to hold you to that.”

Jenny shifted in her chair so she could face him more fully. “I’d like to see you try.”

Daisy-Mae shot Maverick a look as they crossed paths in the kitchen doorway. Things were about to get fun. He took the pile of plates from her and she returned to her seat.

“I always need someone to be my plus one,” Dylan was saying.

“Are you asking me if I’m interested in dating you?”

“Are you?”

“I don’t know. Do you make the woman foot the bill?”

He looked offended, and Carol’s eyes danced. She winked at Daisy-Mae as though she’d planned this, and Daisy-Mae grinned back. Maybe her earlier wish for her friends and their love lives would come true.

“How about holding the door open for me?” Jenny narrowed her eyes, assessing the built man sitting beside her. Dylan was a goofy, off-the-cuff kind of guy. Daisy-Mae would be surprised if anything came from this. Especially since Jenny rarely dated. But watching them spar and flirt was fun. It reminded her of the way she and Maverick verbally danced sometimes.

“Depends,” Dylan replied. “Do you like it when men do that? Or do you find it annoying?”

“Annoying.”

“Good. Then I won’t. Unless you’re wearing an impossible dress and need help to get out of the car.”

“Do I look like I wear impossible dresses?”

“You own a clothing store. You might.”

“She doesn’t,” Violet stated.

“And you drive a car?” Jenny asked. “Not a truck?”

“I do. Problem with that?”

“I don’t know. Do you have a problem with the fact thatIdrive a truck?”

Maverick sucked in a breath as he sat again, no doubt very aware of the traps Jenny was laying at Dylan’s feet. Daisy-Mae had a feeling Dylan could see them and was enjoying the challenge.

“My masculinity is safe and sound,” Dylan said leaning back and crossing his arms. “So tell me more about how you go ga-ga for hockey stars?”

Beside her Maverick laughed, and Violet let out an “Oh, trouble!”

“Some star you are! You’re benched, my friend.” Leo winked at Jenny. “I’ma star though.”

“One without a deal,” she retorted, and Leo clutched his chest with a dramatic flourish. Dylan gave Leo a triumphant smirk.

“We’ll get you a deal,” Violet whispered supportively, rubbing his shoulder.

Jenny propped an elbow on the table, her brown hair cascading over her shoulders as she carefully watched Dylan. “I own my own business. I’m too busy to fawn over your stardom.”

Dylan gave her a dazzling smile. “Yeah?”

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