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“You’re back. Hi.”
His eyebrows shot upward. “Hi? All I get’s a ‘hi’?”
“Oh, quit sounding like that and get over here.”
She wrapped her arms around his middle and gave him a huge hug. He returned the embrace with equal strength.
“That’s much better.”
“I thought you wouldn’t be here until tonight?”
“There was some bad weather heading this way, so Captain Tanner thought it prudent to arrive early.”
“I’m glad. So,” she said, turning around, “how do you like what you see so far?”
He glanced around, but his line of sight returned to her. “I’m loving the changes you’ve made. You have a unique ability of knowing what someone wants and delivering.”
“Most people would call that paying attention,” she said.
“That may be true, but that’s an art form in itself. Speaking of art, what’s with the T-shirt?”
She glanced down at one of the T-shirts she’d had made. It was a pale yellow short-sleeve shirt that said Belle Cove, with two green turtle characters lounging in hammocks.
“That’s a cool shirt. I didn’t know that was at the boutique.”
“It wasn’t. I had it designed. I thought it would be nice to wear, especially while I’m out and about town. The staff loved it so much, I ordered them for everyone. It’s great PR for the resort, and the turtles are like the ones on my bracelet.”
“And they remind you of your parents,” he said sagely.
“Yep, they do. What do you think?”
“I think you’re as resourceful a woman as I’ve ever met.”
She beamed at his praise. “Sweet-talker. You’ll be turning my head if you keep that up.”
“If only it were that easy.”
* * *
Logan could have kicked himself for voicing the thought roaming around in his head. Instantly, a thin veil of tension drifted around them. Seemingly at a loss for words, Dakota just stood there staring at him. Heaven knows she looked absolutely delectable in that darn T-shirt and capri pants. The time away from her had not helped him one bit. The longing that he felt for her only increased the closer they became. Considering how far they had come since he first walked into her office, it was almost cause for celebration. She had warmed up to him, against the odds, and they were now in a close, comfortable friendship.
Damn. It was the absolute last place he wanted to be. No friendship zone was going to cut it when he could see and feel the warmth and appeal simmering just below the surface. It was a look they would share, or a touch when one of them would turn too suddenly and brush against the other. The way their eyes connected across a room loaded with people. Surely she had to feel this?
Maybe she doesn’t, his conscience pointed out. Could history be repeating itself? Could he be destined to spend his entire life wanting Dakota and not having her?
No. He did not believe for a second that she was indifferent to him. The more time they spent together, the stronger their connection. He had experienced it at his aunt’s house for Thanksgiving. Dakota was relaxed, even playful with him at dinner, and afterward, she had pitched in to help clean up. Eventually, Norma Jean came in and booted them out, so they went out on the deck. They were alone. At least for a few minutes, he recalled with a grin. It was cold, but when Dakota wrapped her arm around him and snuggled closer, his rising body temperature could have melted an iceberg.
Granted, she may have some unclaimed emotional baggage chugging along on the conveyor belt in her head, but it was time to let go. Claim it, discard it and move on. There was no other option for Logan. His future was with Dakota. Whether she acknowledged it or not, their relationship dynamic had changed, and Logan was no longer content to sit idly by being complacent and afraid to take chances. He wanted to stir things up and see what happened. An image of him shaking Dakota out of a chastity belt made him burst into laughter.
“What’s so funny?”
He stopped immediately. The wide smile disappeared in an instant. “I, uh…not much. Just thinking about something.”
“And?”
Trust me, you don’t want to know. “Nothing. Just thinking about something Aunt Jeannie said. She’s been after me to start dating again. Something about getting out there before it’s too late…and ripe fruit…or something. I can’t really recall.”
An odd look crossed Dakota’s face before she looked away.
“Oh, well, you know Ms. Jeannie. Always trying to fix everyone up.”
“Don’t tell me she’s been pushing you to date, too?”
“Of course she has, but work is the priority for me right now. I’ve got to make One Eighty Renovations a success. I can’t do that while constantly trying to meet Mr. Right on blind dates, can I?”
