Page 53 of Second-Rate Superstar

Puffing my chest, I grinned. “So . . . What you’re saying is you’re impressed with my linguistic skills. Dare I say they’re author-worthy?”

The tiniest hint of a smile crept onto her lips. “Let’s not get carried away. Best to leave the writing to the professionals.”

“Fair enough.” I nodded my agreement. “Is that a yes to Thanksgiving?”

Raising an eyebrow, I could sense the last-ditch effort coming my way. “You would be happy to have me there under duress?”

At the risk of scaring her away, I was desperate for her to know where she stood with me. “I’ll take you any way I can get you.” Blue eyes widened at that admission, but she didn’t shy away, so I pressed further. “Don’t you get it yet?You’rethe main attraction in my life.”

A slight gasp slipped from her perfect pink lips. “Me?”

Taking one of her hands, I brought the knuckles to my lips, gracing it with a soft kiss, my eyes never leaving hers. “Yes, you. Please spend the day with me.”

Swallowing, her voice took on a husky quality when she said, “Fine.” Clearing her throat, she asked, “What can I bring?”

“Just yourself.”

The determined glint in her eyes tipped me off that that answer wouldn’t fly.

“Nope. I refuse to crash this holiday empty-handed.”

I tried to reason with her. “Seriously, Dakota. You don’t know what these things are like. They could feed an army with the amount of food.”

“My mom raised me to always bring something when invited as a guest. It’s non-negotiable, Braxton.” She lifted her chin, daring me to argue further.

Smiling, I couldn’t even be mad at her. She wouldn’t be the Dakota I was developing feelings for if she didn’t push back. When her feisty side came out to play, it might be my favorite. And I couldn’t help but wonder if she used it in the bedroom. If the type of porn she chose to watch was any indication, I might be in for a wild ride.

That was if she ever let me past her walls. We were taking baby steps, and I wasn’t going anywhere. Not when I had this unicorn of a woman before me.

“I heard the meal you brought to Natalie’s was one of your mom’s. She loved it, by the way. Hasn’t been able to stop raving about it since we got back from that trip. She’s been hounding me to get the recipe.”

Dakota blushed, dropping her eyes to her lap and nodding. “It was one of my favorites. I asked her to make it for my birthday every year.” She chuckled to herself. “Not like she didn’t make it at least once a month anyway. But she never refused my request.”

Squeezing her hand, I mused, “Sounds like she was a great mom.”

Eyes fluttering shut, Dakota whispered, “The best,” as a tear slipped down her cheek.

My heart ached inside my chest at having made her cry. I couldn’t begin to imagine the all-consuming pain of losing your only parent.

“Will you tell me more about her?” I asked softly, needing her to know I was there for her. “I’d love to know more about the woman who raised such an incredible daughter.”

Two more tears leaked out from behind her tightly shut lids. Shaking her head, Dakota’s voice was thick. “It’s still too hard.”

Nodding, even though she couldn’t see me, I reached up to wipe the wetness from her face with the pad of my thumb. “Okay. Just know I’m here any time you need. I don’t care if I’m traveling on the road with the team; reach out. I’ll always take your call.”

“Thank you.” Pulling her hand from my grasp, she brought both of hers up to rub across her cheeks.

“I’d really love it if your mom made an impression on our first Thanksgiving together. Maybe another famous recipe you’ve been hiding?”

Lowering her hands, red-rimmed eyes stared back at me. “Really?”

“Really. Thanksgiving is for reconnecting with loved ones. Your mom should be there in spirit.”

Shaking her head, she huffed out a disbelieving laugh. “You are so different than I thought you’d be.”

Smirking, I hedged, “Is that a good thing?”

Flashing me the tiniest smile, she nodded. “Yeah, I’m beginning to think so.”

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