She shook her head and then reached for her water, chugging half of it. The waiter was there in an instant, refilling the glass and taking my drink order. I looked at Dakota. “Am I staying?” I asked.
She studied my face before giving me a tight nod.
I swallowed hard. “A lager. If you have it.”
“Excellent, sir.” And then the waiter was off, but my gaze stayed on Dakota.
“I’m sorry I made you think that. I promise that you can text the others. They wanted me to be here so we could stop fighting with each other.”
“Are they going to do the same to Nate and Myra then?” she asked, and I snorted.
“I said the exact same thing.”
“I can’t believe the girls did this. And I can’t believe you went along with it.”
I shook my head. “It all started with me standing in my underwear in my house, pretty much flashing everybody.”
Her eyes widened comically. “What?”
“It’s a long story.”
“I think that’s why you’re here.”
“To tell you why I was in my underwear? Or for me to ask why you hate me?” I asked, trying not to notice how her cheeks flushed at my words.
“Macon,” she sighed. “I don’t hate you. We’re friends. I guess.”
“The last time I saw you, you told me to stay away from you and your son.” There, now that the words were out, I couldn’t take them back.
I felt her gaze, and she shook her head. “I shouldn’t have been so cruel about it. But you scared me, Macon. And I don’t like that you got into a fight…whatever. I know it’s none of my business, but I need to protect my son.”
I worked my jaw for a moment as the waiter came over with my drink and told us about the specials.
“We’re going to need a few moments,” I said, my gaze still on Dakota’s.
“Of course, I’ll be back as soon as you need me.” The waiter was discreet, and I was grateful.
“Dakota, I would never hurt Joshua.”
“Maybe not physically, but he’s still a little boy. He latches on to people without thinking of what might happen if and when they walk away.”
“You don’t have to worry about me or my brothers. I know you and I aren’t going to be anything.” Her eyes widened, and I hastened to add, “Not that we were ever on that path. Regardless, I’m not going to hurt Joshua.” I paused. “Or you. We can find a way to be friends. To maybe figure out why we keep sniping at each other.”
“It’s just so easy to do.” She shrugged.
“That’s true,” I said, snorting.
“I had a very long day. A very long week, truth be told,” Dakota began. “It feels like it’s been a long year.”
“Tell me about it.” I rubbed the scar on my chest without thinking. I hadn’t even noticed I did it until I caught Dakota’s gaze zeroed in on the action.
I held back a curse.
“I’d ask if it hurts, but I know that not all scars ache. At least not in the ways some might think.”
There was more to that statement. “Do I have to go and find someone and hurt them for you?” I asked, not entirely joking.
“I don’t want any more violence. Especially not things done in my name.”
My hands fisted around my drink. “I see.”
She shook her head. “You don’t. But, honestly, we don’t need to get into that. We can be friends. Maybe it’s inevitable. And perhaps I need to get over my misconceptions. But, Macon? I don’t want a relationship. Joshua doesn’t need a new daddy. I don’t need anyone in my life who’s going to complicate things.”
“I don’t need anything like that either. I’m only doing this so our friends get off my back.”
“Okay, then.” She paused. “Maybe we can enjoy dinner.”
Relief slid through me, and I knew I wouldn’t push. We’d eat, we’d engage in small talk, and then we’d move on. That’s all tonight could be.
“The scallops sounded pretty good,” I said, shrugging.
“I was thinking of the halibut. Now, I want scallops.”
“We can always share.” I glanced at her.
“Maybe. Just don’t think that means anything more than the fact that I can’t decide between two dishes. I’m not using it as a ploy or anything.”
I laughed. “Sounds like a plan. I promise not to fall in love with you.” I blurted the words before I meant to, and her eyes widened for a minute before filling with laughter.
“And I promise never to fall in love with you.”
We both laughed, and I couldn’t help but wonder why I felt a little disappointed.
I didn’t need her to fall in love with me. I didn’t want that. Yet I felt like I had just lost out on something. But as she smiled, and we finished our drinks and ate dinner, I got to know a little more about the mysterious woman that seemed to hate me on sight.
I didn’t know if this would change anything between us beyond tonight. But for a simple meal, one that neither of us had prepared for, it was calming.
Now, I just had to hope like hell I wouldn’t regret that promise.
Even if breaking it wouldn’t be good for either of us.
Chapter 5
Dakota
I hummed beneath my breath as I added whipped cream to the caramel macchiato before drizzling caramel sauce on top. I slid a biscotti onto a side plate and kept humming as I moved towards the front of the café and the corner booth.
“Here you go! Thank you so much. I hope you enjoy,” I said after setting down the man’s coffee. I gently placed his biscotti plate next to the cup, along with a napkin.
The man with the chiseled jaw and the bright blue eyes smiled at me.
“Well, thank you very much. Dakota, right?”
I swallowed hard, no longer humming. Fear slid over me at the fact that he knew my name. I shouldn’t be scared. After all, this wasn’t Adam. Nobody from that
