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With a wave to them both, she ambled off to a table of older women who all had books by their elbows.
“The RRRs,” Dakota said.
“RRRs?”
“Rabid Romance Readers. It’s the name of their book group. They only read romance novels and they meet every Friday night right at that table Kyle sets aside especially for them. Being in Maplehaven for eighty years comes with certain rights and privileges.”
“Awesome,” Leah said. “Fifty more years and sign me up.”
Dakota leaned forward and Leah got caught up in those sea-glass eyes that were bright even in the dim restaurant lighting. “Asking you to go to Nana’s birthday bash with me was on my agenda for tonight, but she beat me to it.”
“I suppose when you’re eighty, you don’t wait on anything.”
“Seize every moment.”
“We probably should all live that way.”Before it’s too late.
“Does that mean you’ll go with me?” He swirled his hand over the pizza on the tray between them. “Kyle’s pizza will be there.”
“I could never say no to Kyle’s pizza.”
“I’m not above using this pizza to spend more time with you.” He angled his head at her. “I like being around you, Leah.”
His words, mixed with the way he was looking at her right now, made a tingly heat sweep through her body.
“Do you tellallthe women you take to this booth that?” She squinted at him as she took a sip of her hard cider.
“You wound me, Miss Greenstead. Terribly.” Dakota picked up a napkin and dabbed at his eyes.
“Oh, no. I’ve hurt your feelings.” Leah handed him another napkin which he plucked out of her hand, his lips turned down in a sad face. “I guess I’ll have to make it up to you.”
Sniffing loudly but not able to keep from grinning, Dakota nodded. “Yes, yes you will.”
“I have no choice but to accept your offer of going to Mrs. William’s birthday bash with you.”
Dakota dropped the napkins and pumped his fist in the air. “Yes!”
“What are we celebrating?”
Leah looked up to see an older version of Dakota standing at their booth now. God, she had never had so much social interaction in the span of one hour.
“Dad.” Dakota gave him a nod.
“Dakota.” His father nodded back in the exact same fashion.
Dakota craned his head around. “And yep, here comes Mom.” He slid down in his seat a bit and regarded Leah. “I’m sorry there’s so many people on this date with us.”
“It’s what I get for saying yes to Mr. Popularity.”
Dakota’s father let out a hearty chuckle as his mother came over. A smallish woman, she had darker skin than Dakota and his dad, but the shape of her brown eyes was reflected on Dakota’s face. Leah could easily tell these were his parents even if she hadn’t seen them at the school ceremony.
And again, a stab of pain pierced her chest. Longing welled up inside her, making her want to claim his parents as her own.
Which is crazy.She barely knew these people, but she wanted them. Probably wanted his sisters too. Maybe even Noah’s nana.
Leah’s breathing became labored as her chest constricted. This was not the place for a panic attack.You’re having a nice evening,she reminded herself.Things are going well with Dakota. It’s okay to move on.Losing control of her emotions right now would confirm she wasn’t ready for this.
And she wanted to be ready.
