AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Who says I don’t believe it?”
Dakota shot him a look, and he broke out his panty-melting grin. “Like I said, maybe you’re making a believer out of me, Sunshine.”
The hostess returned and set a bowl of water for Barney down on the ground, then held up a dog biscuit.
“Is it okay if he has this?”
That got the dog’s attention, and he came back to their table, his tail thumping as he sat patiently waiting for the woman to cough up the snack.
“Sure.”
He accepted the treat like a perfect gentleman, then laid down at Dakota’s feet to eat it.
She opened the menu to peruse the selections.
“So, what’s good here?”
“Everything. I usually get one of their skillets, but I know how much you like pancakes, and Kailey says theirs are the best.”
She was about to comment that it was sweet that he remembered she liked pancakes when a woman’s voice said, “Aiden?”
She looked up to see a pretty brunette standing at their table. She was probably late twenties, maybe early thirties, and her very perky boobs were on full display in the yellow sundress she was wearing. Her makeup and hair were flawless.
Dakota normally wasn’t insecure, but she knew what she looked like in comparison, having just finished their hike. Her hair was in a high ponytail and there wasn’t a drop of makeup on her face, which was good because if she had been wearing any, it would have been sweated off. Her t-shirt and shorts could almost be considered frumpy.
Aiden looked startled when he glanced up. “Hey…” There was a pause and Dakota could see his wheels turning. She knew the second the woman’s name came to him because he nonchalantly leaned back in his seat before he finished. “Chelsea. How’ve you been?”
“Good.” The woman touched his arm and pouted her perfect lips, not even sparing Dakota a second glance. “You never called.”
He offered her what Dakota had come to recognize as a disingenuous smile. “Sorry about that. I’ve been busy.”
Chelsea finally flicked a look Dakota’s way. “Yeah, obviously.”
He gave a quick shake of his head. “Where are my manners? This is my girlfriend, Dakota.”
Chelsea’s perfectly manicured hand went to her chest as she sputtered the same thing Dakota was thinking.
“Girlfriend?”
He glanced at Dakota. Her eyebrows were raised, but she remained silent, so he reached across the table for her hand and drew it toward his mouth. “Going on a month, now.”
A mischievous grin crossed his lips as they brushed against her knuckles, as if daring Dakota to say something to the contrary in front of this woman.
“Oh, well… congratulations.” Chelsea’s tone dripped disdain.
Aiden didn’t appear bothered in the least as he kept his eyes trained on Dakota. “Thanks. We’re really happy.”
Chelsea’s hand quivered slightly. Dakota almost felt sorry for her.
“That’s, uh, great. Well, I need to get back to my friends.” She gave a little wave before turning on her heel and walking away.
Dakota pulled her hand back and narrowed her eyes at him. “Girlfriend?”
“Oh, come on. You couldn’t take one for the team? Besides,” he grabbed her hand again. “Would that be so terrible?”
No, it wouldn’t.
The image of him in his suit leaving while she sat crying popped in her head, then she looked over to see Chelsea’s friends consoling her as she wiped away tears.
