Page 23 of Body Check

“Which we will not be talking about in front of my brother and our children,” she said loudly.

Dakota snickered.

“Seriously, stop stressing,” Jeff said, shifting a sleepy-looking Daisy onto his other hip so he could work the coffee maker. “You’re the only one worried about this.”

“I know.” The toast popped up and Dakota turned away, grabbing a plate to toss it onto. “I don’t want to become a burden though.”

“I’m starting to think we’re crampingyourstyle,” Violet said. “When was the last time you went on a date?”

“Seven years ago,” Dakota said tightly, aggressively slathering his toast with the seed butter. “With Bryce. And look howthatturned out.”

“Sorry,” Violet said softly. “I know it’s still a sore spot.”

He tightened his grip on the knife handle and forced himself to take a few deep breaths. “Yeah, but I don’t mean to take it out on you,” he said, when he finally felt under control again.

“It’s okay.”

“It’s not, but you’re sweet for saying so. I’m just focused on work right now.” He picked up his plate.

His mind flashed back to the conversations he’d had with Gavin recently. “I might try to get out a little more though. Not looking for romance but …” He gave his sister and brother-in-law a pointed look, then took a big bite of his toast.

Violet nodded. “Some adult time might be good.”

“Daddy,” Daisy said sleepily. “Can we have pan-takes this morning?”

“Sure.” He smiled at her. “I think we can make some pancakes.”

“You want some, Unka Dak-Dak?”

He smiled. Dakota was a mouthful for little ones and he was awfully fond of being called Unka Dak-Dak. “Not today, Daisy.I’m leaving on a road trip with the team.” He crammed another bite of toast in his mouth.

Honestly, he should probably already be on his way out the door. He had a walk to the MBTA station, pick up the train that would take him to the bus station, and then the bus would drop him off at Hanscom Field Airport.

He liked using public transit, but there were always delays and he hated being late.

“Okay.” Daisy sighed and put her head on her father’s shoulder. “I eat the pan-takes for you.”

Dakota laughed, bending down to kiss her cheek. “That’s very nice of you. Love you. I’ll see you when I get back.”

When he straightened, Jeff lifted an eyebrow at him. “Hey, where’s my kiss?”

With a soft laugh, Dakota pressed a kiss to his brother-in-law’s whiskery cheek, then turned to his sister who had a fond look on her face even as she shook her head at their ridiculousness.

God, Dakota loved that she’d found such a great guy. Someone who made her so happy. A guy who looked at her like she was the most beautiful person he’d ever seen, whether she was tired and a little rumpled or her usual polished, elegant self.

Exactly what she deserved.

It was a whirlwind as Dakota finished the final bites of his breakfast, gathered his belongings and opened the door. He grimaced at the sight of the weather, flipped up his hood, then plunged out into it.

It was a miserable day, cold and rainy, with wind that whipped furiously at the hem of his coat as he walked to the train station. He should be used to it after growing up in Seattle, but the weather was so much moreextremein Boston than it was on the west coast.

Thankfully, there was room to huddle under the shelter at the MBTA stop and a few minutes after he arrived, the train pulled up.

On a Sunday morning, it wasn’t terribly crowded, so he dragged his luggage out of the way as best he could, then checked his phone.

Gavin hadn’t responded to the email he sent last night beyond a perfunctory, “Thanks, Dakota. I’ll take a look. -Gavin” and Dakota wondered if he would stick to the plan. He’d certainlyseemedsincere yesterday morning, but he was also only one session in.

Once the season got even busier, the flush of newness wore off, and the headaches improved, Gavin might feel less compelled to keep doing it.

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