Page 10 of One Good Puck
I turn around and see Dakota smiling at me.
I chuckle. “I don’t really. I just need some caffeine in my system. You look so pretty in that dress, by the way. I meant to tell you in the car on the way here.”
She beams and runs her hand along the satin fabric of her off-the-shoulder emerald green dress. “Sam got it for me for my last birthday.”
I smile. “He is so thoughtful.”
Her expression turns wistful as she gazes across the restaurant where Sam is standing with Xander. He looks up and catches eyes with Dakota. The corner of his mouth hooks up, and he winks at her.
She bites back a giddy smile. I chuckle. “You two are ridiculously in love.”
She lets out a happy sigh. “I’m a lucky lady to have him.”
“And he’s lucky to have you. He was in love with you for what, five years before he told you he had feelings for you?”
Her tan skin flushes, and she tugs on a chunk of her chocolate brown hair, which is styled in soft waves. She bites back a giddy smile. “Something like that.”
I chuckle. “You two are adorable. Your love story is something out of a romance novel.”
I think about how Sam and Dakota were friends for years before they got together. The whole time, they had crushes on each other and didn’t realize it.
Sam is the best friend and teammate of Del, Dakota’s big brother. And since Del was so protective of Dakota, Sam never made a move. But when Dakota’s last relationship fell apart, she moved in with Sam, and all that time spent together made their mutual feelings impossible to deny.
A faint ache hits my chest just thinking about their love story. How amazing it would be to have someone like that in my life…
But after being a single mom for the past seven years, I’ve given up on romance. Things with Emma’s dad were a disaster. And the few times I’ve tried to date, it’s been just as disappointing. I guess romance just isn’t in the cards for me.
I push aside the sad thought and sip more of my drink. Dakota orders a champagne cocktail and takes a sip. Her dark brown eyes are bright as she looks at my dress.
“You look freaking gorgeous,” Dakota says. “That dress looks like it was made for your body.”
I make a flustered sound and skim my free hand along the sideof my hip.
“And that color! It matches your eyes perfectly,” Dakota raves.
“You don’t think it’s too much?” I grab the pleated skirt of the silky mint-green dress I’m wearing. It’s flowy with a delicate sweetheart bodice and thin straps.
“It’s perfect, hot mama.”
My head tilts back as I laugh. “I don’t know about that.”
Dakota gently shoves my shoulder. “Nope. None of that dismissive talk about yourself. You’re a hottie, Abby Taylor. Own it.”
I tip my glass at her. “If you say so.”
“Gotta say, I agree with Dakota’s assessment. You’re very hot.”
I turn and see Camden Connors running his gaze along the length of my body. I roll my eyes and laugh. If any other man so openly ogled me, I’d be creeped out, but I know Camden is harmless. I met him months ago, and he’s a flirt with every available woman in his vicinity. He’s also almost ten years younger than me. As cute as he is, I’m just not into younger guys.
“I appreciate the compliment, Camden, but it’s never gonna happen,” I say.
He shrugs. “Can’t blame a guy for shooting his shot.”
A second later, Xander and Sophie walk over to us. Xander claps a hand on Camden’s shoulder.
“If you could stop hitting on our party guests, that would be awesome,” Xander says.
Camden holds his hands up, like he’s surrendering. “Sorry.”
