Page 29 of More Than a Good Friend

“He did when Dag got out of the truck and started toward him. That’s when he hopped back in the car and left.” I wanted to wrap my arms around Dag that evening, but I didn’t dare.

“He cares about you, Goldie.”

“As a friend. I know.”

She taps a bright pink fingernail on the crisp white tablecloth. “Or maybe he doesn’t think he’s lovable.”

“Pretty sure the women who flock to him have made him feel plenty loved.” There’s a bitter edge to my voice that I fail to hide. Mostly because I don’t try. “The man knows he’s good-looking.”

“Or maybe he’s confused love with something else.”

“You mean lust?”

She swirls the wine in her glass before taking a sip. “I mean friendship.”

“You are supposed to commiserate with me. Not give me false hope.” I pick up my phone when it buzzes for the second time.

“Is it Dag?”

Ricky:You okay? Dag called and wanted to know where you were. So I’m checking.

Me:I’m good. At dinner with a friend. I’ll see you tomorrow.

He replies with a thumbs-up, then dots dance on the screen a second.

Ricky:I invited Dag.

“It was my brother checking on me because Dag called him. And during their little chat, my brother invited him to my niece’s birthday party. I can’t even picture Dag at a little girl’s princess party.”

“Will there be a piñata?” She tries to keep a straight face. “That might traumatize him.”

I slap a hand over my mouth to keep from spitting wine across the table. “There’s always a piñata at birthday parties.Always.”

* * *

When the limostops outside my cabin, Tandy laughs. “I’m guessing Dag drives a blue truck.”

“You are correct.” I give her a hug. “Thanks for dinner. And I promise to keep an open mind as I continue dating. But honestly, the chances of Dag waking up one morning with a massive romantic attraction to me is somewhere between unlikely and impossible.”

“Love is more than a massive romantic attraction. I mean, it can be part of it. But only a part.” She shifts far away from my door. “You better get out before he has a coronary. Plus, he’s walking this way.”

The driver hops out and opens my door. I slide out and rush toward Dag, hoping he won’t get a chance to peek into the back seat.

“Everything okay?” I hold the rail as I take the stairs because I’m rarely in heels and now is a bad time to twist an ankle. “Or are you just waiting for me?”

“He didn’t even get out and walk you to the door.” He stares at the limo as it drives away. “I don’t like him.”

“Want to come in for a bit?”

He takes the three steps in one leap. “Sure. I got a gift for the party tomorrow. I wasn’t sure what to get her. I know girls like shoes, so I thought about a gift card for a shoe store. But she’s a kid, so I bought Legos instead. They’re pink and purple. Think she’ll like that?”

“She’ll love it. And so will my brother. He’s a huge Lego fan.” I wave toward the fridge. “Make yourself at home, I’m going to change super quick.”

As I swing the door closed, he calls out, “You look pretty in that dress.”

I lean back against the door and close my eyes. This isn’t the first time he’s told me I look pretty. It happens every now and again. But my heart is so raw right now. Tears sting, and I blink to chase them away.

I swap my red dress for leggings and a baggy T-shirt and walk out of the bedroom.

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