Page 2 of With This Ring
“I know, but everyone is so juvenile.” Skye leaned forward, resting her elbows on her knees. “I told you last week that Ashley was obsessed with Tommy, right?”
Dakota nodded. Although she wasn’t a fan of teen gossip, she was grateful her niece trusted her and felt comfortable confiding in her.
“And today all she talked about was Bart.” She waved her hands around, flashing her coral-colored nail polish. “It was Bart this and Bart that all day long. She talked about him in the hallway between classes. She babbled about him during lunch. How cute he is. How he has the best smile. How he’s so funny and athletic.”
Skye yanked her sparkly fuchsia insulated water bottle from the side pocket of her rose-colored backpack and took a drink. Dakota smiled at how committed to pink her niece was. “I love Ashley like a sister, but she’s boy crazy. I sure hope I never act like that. I mean, we’re sixteen, but we can still be mature, you know?”
Dakota bit back a grin. Her niece was all grown up, or at least partway there. Gone was her little buddy who tried to do everything just like “Auntie Kota.” Instead, Skye was complaining about boys. At least one thing remained the same: Dakota was still a cool aunt in her niece’s eyes, and having Skye working with her at the bridal shop after school for the past year had helped them grow even closer.
Kayleigh, Dakota’s best friend, had always called Skye Dakota’s mini-me, and with the same dark hair, dark eyes, and height of five feet seven, Dakota agreed they resembled each other. In fact, they were often mistaken for sisters, which Dakota took as a compliment since they were fourteen years apart.
“Sweetie, you’re mature for your age, but sometimes girls just get caught up in the drama, you know? They get excited and lettheir crushes take over their lives. Someday you might meet a guy who sweeps you off your feet.”
“Sure.” Skye gave her a look of disbelief. “But I doubt that will happen when I’m in high school. What are the chances of anyone actually marrying their high school sweetheart?”
An image of Hudson Garrity filled Dakota’s mind. She could still see those bright-blue eyes that melted her insides, and she could even hear the deep baritone laugh that always made her toes curl. He’d been her crush in middle school and her boyfriend in high school and college—then her one big heartbreak and regret as an adult when he’d chosen a career in New York City over their plans, their life together.
She touched her naked finger where a small diamond engagement ring had once sat. Hudson had given it to her when they were twenty-one, and she could still remember how it felt to wear it. But it was a promise that had never come true. She shook her head, also trying to shake off the grief that suddenly appeared.
Why was the wound in her heart still so raw after seven years?
Skye’s voice brought her back to the present. “If you fall in love in high school, won’t you outgrow each other?”
Dakota knew there was a ring of truth to Skye’s words. At least for her and Hud.
“I mean, my parents met in college,” Skye continued, “and I bet you really find yourself during those years. That’s why, statistically, high school relationships are doomed to fail. It makes sense to me.” She shrugged and took another sip of water.
Dakota bobbed her head in agreement. “Right.” Then she cleared her throat. “So, I had a customer in shortly before you got here, but it didn’t go the way I’d hoped.”
As Dakota shared the story, Skye’s pretty face transformed into a frown. “I’m sorry she didn’t like the mermaid dress.”
“That’s why I need to keep steaming the damaged dresses I can salvage. We need more variety available for customers.”
“Can’t you pay Miller’s next door to do it instead?”
“I wish, but it’s too expensive.” Dakota’s savings were nearly gone, and her credit card was maxed out thanks to the burst pipe and her lousy landlord. Though she knew Mr. Miller would dry-clean the dresses for her at reduced cost, she couldn’t even afford his help at a discount.
When her phone dinged, she pulled it from her skirt pocket and found a message from Parker Bryant.
Hey, just wanted to tell you I had a great time Saturday. Hope you’re having a good Monday.
“Mr. Bryant texted you?”
Dakota looked up and found her niece leaning over the counter, straining to read over her shoulder. “Hey, Miss Nosy Pants!” she teased. “I don’t try to read your text messages.” She dropped her phone back into her pocket and started toward the back of the store. “You cover the counter while I go work in the back, okay? Call me if you need me.”
“Whoa, Auntie.” Skye trailed after her. “You didn’t come to Nana’s yesterday for supper, so I never got the details from your date.”
Dakota shook her head as she walked through the doorway to where her small office, a sewing and workroom, a restroom, and a small break room were located. “There’s nothing to tell.”
“That can’t be true,” her niece whined. “I deserve to hear the details. I set you up with Mr. Bryant because you need to get out and have some fun. All you’ve done since the pipes burst is work long hours in here, cleaning up and steaming gowns. You need to have a life, Auntie.”
Dakota picked up the steamer and turned it on. “Dating isn’t apriority right now, Skye. You know I’m trying to get things back on track so I don’t lose my boutique and my house.”
“But you haven’t been in a relationship for, like, three years.”
Dakota spun to face her. “That’s not true.”
“When was the last time you had a boyfriend?” She rested her hands on her slim waist.