by Reese Ryan
Her heart raced as she stood there staring at him, not quite sure what to say.
“Hey.” She gave him an awkward, low wave.
“Hey.” He smiled, leaning down to kiss her cheek.
The chaste kiss felt odd after their sensual night together. What did it mean?
“I thought you went back to your room.” She fiddled with the belt on her robe.
“I did. I left a little before seven to shower, shave, and get ready. I hoped to get back here in time to bring you breakfast in bed.” He held up the bag. “I hope you still like everything bagels with cream cheese.”
You remembered.
“I do. Thank you.” She opened the bag and removed the warm, freshly toasted bagel. “And I assume one of those is for me.” She indicated the two beverages.
“Yes.” He checked the labels on the cups and handed one to her. “Thought you might like the crème brûlée latte.”
Her smile deepened and her tummy went all fluttery.
It’s just coffee and a bagel, girl. Don’t get so emotional.
“Excellent choice. Thanks, Dex.” She folded one leg beneath her and sat on the edge of the bed, while he sat at the little desk that seemed barely big enough for his large frame. The amusing image alleviated a little of the tension in her chest.
Morning-after small talk was the absolute worst, even with someone she knew as well as Dexter. Still, she was determined not to make this awkward. If he didn’t want to discuss last night or what it meant, they didn’t have to. If he wanted to resume a just-friends, business-only relationship, they could do that, too. And if he wanted a replay of last night’s toe-tingling, back-breaking, make-you-scream-my-name performance…well, her mother didn’t raise any fools. She was definitely down for that.
Either way, she wouldn’t put any pressure on him. And she wouldn’t allow this—whatever it was and whatever it meant—to interfere with their stellar working relationship.
“Fantastic bagel,” she mumbled, her mouth half-full. “Here’s what I was thinking we should tackle today…”
They planned the day and discussed the project over their bagels and coffee. As if she weren’t completely naked underneath her robe. As if they hadn’t spent the previous night making love in the bed she was sitting on, the scent of their sex still lingering in the air.
When they’d finished eating, he gathered the trash and dumped it. Then he turned back to her. “I guess we should talk about last night.”
“I guess we should.” Dakota smoothed the robe over her legs, making sure nothing was exposed. “And maybe I should start by saying that last night was absolutely incredible. In fact, this entire weekend has been amazing.”
“But…” He furrowed his brow, his jaw tense.
She reached for his hand, holding it in hers. “But in a few months, I’ll be gone, and I have no idea exactly where I’ll end up. So if you’re looking for a relationship…”
“And what if I’m not?” Dexter’s lowered gaze followed his thumb as it stroked the back of her hand. But even without seeing his face, she could feel his disappointment.
“You’d be open to keeping this casual?” She lifted his chin, needing to see his eyes.
He shrugged after a long pause. “Why not? We’re both adults, and this is what we both want. Maybe we just need to get each other out of our systems. Gain some closure.”
The words were right, but his tone was unconvincing. But would it be wrong of her to accept him at his word?
Dakota was enjoying getting to know Dex again. And she’d enjoyed every minute of their weekend together. Maybe he had a point. They could be grown-ups about this. Have fun and enjoy each other’s company. Then walk away as friends.
Dexter was an amazing man. Sweet, funny, thoughtful, brilliant, and creative. If she’d planned to stay on Holly Grove Island, she’d jump at the prospect of a second chance with him. Because she really did care for him. But she wasn’t staying. And Dexter wouldn’t leave.
“If you’re really not looking for a relationship right now, I’d be open to a repeat of last night.” Her mouth twisted in a naughty grin. “And not just for the weekend.”
He kissed her palm, but his half smile didn’t reach his dark eyes. “Then, it’s settled.”
“What about your job?” Dakota cupped his cheek, his beard tickling her palm. “As much as I want this, Dex, I can’t let you jeopardize your career for a fling with me.”
Dex nodded reluctantly. His brows knitted. “Then we keep this between us.”
“If that’s not something you can deal with, Dexter, I understand.” Dakota pressed a kiss to his lips, hoping he wouldn’t say no.
“I can.” He pulled her closer to the edge of the bed and kissed her again.
Dakota pretended not to notice the pained look in his eyes or the furrowing of his brows that indicated otherwise. She needed to believe that this time, when they parted ways, everything would work out fine…for both of them.
“By the way, here’s your spare room key. I borrowed it this morning.” He produced the keycard from his back pocket.
“Keep it.” Dakota stood in front of him, loosened the belt, and let her robe drift to the floor. “I have a feeling you’ll need it again.”
* * *
Dexter lay awake with Dakota sleeping in his arms after their final day at the festival. They’d made love again that morning after their talk. Had he known she wasn’t wearing a stitch of clothing beneath that robe, he’d probably have tumbled into bed with her the moment he’d returned and found her awake.
They’d both been reluctant to leave her room. But this was a business trip. And the resort had footed the bill for them to attend all three days of the event. So they managed to tear themselves from the bed, shower together, get dressed, and return to the festival grounds.
She looked gorgeous in a floral, sunny yellow backless dress. He hadn’t been able to resist putting a hand on her waist as he guided her through the crowd, caressing the soft, smooth skin of her back with the pad of his thumb.
Dakota had donned her straw fedora and a pair of dark shades. He’d worn his mirrored sunglasses and a baseball cap pulled down over his head. They’d strolled through the festival grounds, alternating between walking hand in hand or with his arm wrapped around her waist, like they had when they were two starry-eyed teens in love.
His chest flooded with warmth and his heart swelled with affection for Dakota. But he silently reminded himself that, for her, this was neither love nor a relationship. Because in a few months, she’d move on. So the depth of his feelings for her didn’t matter.
For Dakota, this was a short-lived fling. A little fun before she moved on with the rest of her life. For him, this was a taste of everything he’d hoped for when Dakota had returned to town. Only it was temporary, like her employment at the resort and his position as the DOO.
He should be glad Dakota wanted to keep their relationship short-term and a secret. It saved him from having to choose between her and the position he’d worked so hard for.
Dakota stirred in his arms, as if she could sense how perturbed he was as he lay awake, trying to convince himself that it wouldn’t hurt like hell when he had to let her go.
But maybe he’d finally be able to give up chasing the ghost of relationships past and move on with the rest of his life. A life without the one woman he wanted more than anything.
Chapter Twenty-Five
Dakota spread out her blanket and flopped down in the beach chair beside Sinclair’s on a Saturday afternoon. She pulled down the wide-brim fedora hat Dexter had bought her at the festival and readjusted her shades.
“What’s with the movie-star-in-hiding look?” Sin asked. “Is the paparazzi out?”
“No. Why?” Dakota sat up quickly, her pulse racing as she glanced up and down the beach.
“It was a joke, hon. Relax.” Sin shoved her shoulder; then she pulled a cranberry-walnut chicken-salad sandwich on a croissant wrapped in plastic out of her bag and waved it. �
��Hungry? Or did Ms. Lila already bring y’all something to eat last night?”
Dakota thanked her friend for the sandwich and nodded. “Yes, she did.” She unwrapped her sandwich. “And honestly, I felt like a third wheel on their date.”
Her father had had his surgery in Wilmington two weeks ago. Ms. Lila had spent most of the day of the operation at the hospital with Dakota, keeping her company. And she’d been fussing over her father and bringing him specially made, off-menu meals since.
Sin unwrapped her own sandwich. “So they’re finally admitting that they’re dating now?”
“Not exactly. He refers to her as his lady friend and says they just really enjoy each other’s company. Then he finds a way to change the subject.”
“Well, that’s progress, kind of…I guess.” Sinclair nibbled on her sandwich. “How long before you need to go back home and check on your dad?”
“I’m off duty. Ms. Lila is playing nurse this afternoon.” Dakota cringed the moment she said the words, and her friend descended into raucous laughter. “God, that sounded so much better in my head.”
Now she’d never scrub the idea of her father and Ms. Lila playing doctor from her brain.
“You’ve been back home a couple months now. I’d’a thought you’d be used to the idea of Ms. Lila being your new stepmama by now.”
Dakota shot her friend a look.
“What? You’ve always liked Ms. Lila,” Sin said.
“I still do, and like I said, this isn’t about me. I don’t think my dad is ready to move on.” Dakota bit into her croissant. It was amazing.
“Your dad was super supportive and understanding when you told him the truth about Marcello, right?” Sin reminded her. “So maybe you can return the favor by helping him to move on. Maybe he’s ready but he doesn’t know how. Or maybe he’s concerned about how you and Shay will react.”
Dakota chewed thoughtfully as she considered her friend’s words. Telling her father the truth about what had happened in New York and why she’d kept it from him had been one of the most difficult conversations she’d ever had. She’d expected him to be angry and disappointed. For him to say that he’d told her so about the television industry or life in New York. But he hadn’t done any of that. He’d hugged her tight and told her that he loved her and that none of what had happened changed how proud he was of her. And he’d assured her that she was welcome to stay with him for as long as she liked.
At the hospital, the day of the surgery, she’d confessed the truth to Ms. Lila, too. The only person she hadn’t told was Dexter, despite the fact that they’d been secretly seeing each other since their trip to New England.
While she and Dex were at work, or out with mutual friends, they carried on as coworkers and old friends. Except for a lingering touch here or the rare stolen kiss, there was no indication of the raging desire between them. And they hadn’t told anyone else. Not even Sin.
She’d even spent two of the three nights her father had stayed over at the hospital following his surgery at Dexter’s place.
As Sin prattled on, Dakota was lost in daydreaming about Dex. Remembering when he’d made breakfast for her at his condo. Something she hoped he’d be able to do again soon, but this time after she’d awakened in his bed.
“You didn’t hear a word I said, did you?” Sin stared at her, one of her perfectly arched eyebrows cocked.
“I did. You said…umm…okay, what was it you were saying?”
“What’s going on with you, Dakota?”
“I’ve been a little worried about my dad because of the surgery. But other than that, everything’s fine.” Dakota nibbled on her sandwich.
“And how is work going? You haven’t talked much about your trip with Dexter, since you’ve been back,” Sin said.
Dakota averted her gaze from her friend’s, her cheeks hot. “Work is good.”
Sin tilted her head, studying Dakota for a moment. Suddenly her friend’s eyes widened. “Wait. That’s it, isn’t it? You two hooked up during your trip, didn’t you?”
Dakota chewed slowly, her brain churning. She deserved some privacy, even in their little town. But her only options were to lie to Sin or come clean. She chose the latter.
“Yes.” Dakota made the admission under her breath.
Sin started squealing like a prize hog at the county fair.
Dakota squeezed her friend’s arm. “You cannot tell anyone about this, Sin. There could be real blowback for Dex at his job if anyone found out.”
“Right, of course. I’m just so glad that the two of you are back together—”
“We’re not together together, Sin,” Dakota assured her.
“So if it’s not a relationship, what would you call it?” Sin pushed her shades on top of her head and peered at Dakota.
“It’s more of a situationship.” Dakota shrugged. “It’s nothing serious, and there’s no need to start shopping for bridesmaid dresses, if that’s what you’re thinking.”
“First: disappointing. I’ve proven that I look good in even the butt-ugliest of bridesmaids dresses.” Sin batted her eyelashes and posed, making Dakota laugh, too. “Second: Does Dexter know that he’s in a…what did you call it again…a situationship?”
“Yes. I mean…I think so. We talked about it. About why I wasn’t looking for a relationship. Why we needed to keep things on the down low. And we both agreed.” Dakota swigged some of her sweet tea.
“Hmm…I’m guessing it went like this…You told Dexter you weren’t looking for anything serious right now. So rather than losing you, the option behind door number one, Dex agreed to this little fling y’all think you’re having that was behind door number two. Sound about right?”
“No—I mean…yes. Kind of,” Dakota stammered. “I certainly didn’t trick him into this arrangement, if that’s what you’re implying.”
“Of course not, sweetie. All I’m saying is that Dexter Roberts has been waiting nearly two decades for a second chance with the love of his life.” Sin shrugged. “Can’t blame the boy for snatching up the crumbs you offered him.”
“Did Dexter say I was the love of his life?” Dakota’s throat suddenly felt dry.
“He didn’t need to, honey. It’s in the eyes.” She waved two fingers that formed a V in front of hers for emphasis. “Sadly, you and Dex are ’bout the only folks in town who can’t see it.” She squeezed Dakota’s arm. “Look, sweetie, no one would like to see the two of you together again more than me. But I don’t want to see either of you get hurt. So please be completely honest with each other about where this is going.”
“You’re a good friend, Sinclair.”
“True.” Sinclair batted her lashes and struck her best Southern belle pose. “But my motives here are completely selfish. I just got my best friend back. I can’t afford for things to blow up between you two again.” Sin took a sip of her tea, then slipped her shades back on.
“I won’t let that happen again, Sin. I promise.”
“I know you won’t.” Her friend leaned back in her beach chair. “Because I will hunt your tail down wherever you go. We are not breaking up the band again. Period. No, ma’am!”
Dakota lay back in her chair, too. She couldn’t help glancing toward Sin’s building in the direction of Dexter’s condo on the second floor, wondering if he was home.
They hadn’t managed to see each other outside of work since her father had returned home from his surgery. They’d been communicating mostly via text message, but she missed him desperately. She was tempted to show up at his door unannounced.
“Saw his car pull out of the parking lot this morning,” Sin said without turning her head.
“How do you do that?” Dakota asked.
“Can’t give up all my trade secrets, darlin’.” Sin shrugged. “And I know you and I had planned a little movie marathon later, but I promise not to whine about Dex friend-jacking you if you decide you’d rather spend the evening with him. At least, I won’t complain about it this time
. If it becomes a habit, we’re gon’ have to negotiate friend time.”
“Thank you for understanding, Sin.”
Dakota picked up her phone and typed out a text message to Dexter. He replied almost immediately. He was at his mother’s house, but he was excited to see her at his place later that night. Dakota’s heart skipped a beat, and she couldn’t help smiling.
She settled back in her beach chair and turned to watch as the waves licked the shore, Sin’s words replaying in her head.
Dexter Roberts has probably been waiting nearly two decades for a second chance with the love of his life.
Was she really the love of Dexter’s life? Was he hers?
Long ago, she’d been sure that he was. That was why she’d been so angry all these years. What they’d had was special, and he’d thrown it away. But that morning at his condo, when he’d confessed that he hadn’t wanted her to give up her dream for him, his words had struck a nerve. Dexter was right. She would’ve regretted giving up her ambitions for him. She only wished she could’ve had the career she wanted and the man she loved, too.
* * *
“So are we just going to keep pretending that bounce in your step for the past couple of weeks isn’t because of your little weekend getaway with Dakota?” Emerie Roberts opened the box containing a new air filter for her car and handed it to Dex.
“The festival was amazing,” Dex said, glad he was nearly finished changing the oil in his sister’s car. Em had been pestering him about Dakota since that night at the Foxhole. When he and Dakota had returned from the trip to the jazz festival in New England, she’d redoubled her efforts. “And it’s an excellent model for what we plan to do here. It’s even on an island. It was helpful to be able to see the potential of an event like that.”
“And it seems the two of you got along pretty well. I haven’t seen you this happy in a really long time,” Emerie said gleefully.
Dexter was trying to be the patient older brother, but he had his limits. He knew that his sister had always liked Dakota and that she was excited about the prospect of the two of them getting back together. But they’d agreed to keep their relationship under wraps, and with good reason. His career was on the line. So he had to keep hoping that his petulant little sister would eventually grow bored or take a hint.
