Page 25 of With This Ring
“Sure.” She began placing the bags of donations into the back seat. She would have to drop them off today on her way home.
When he closed the trunk, she faced him, and they stared at each other for a moment. But enough was enough—she had toget going. She pulled her keys from her pocket, and they jingled. “Thanks, Hudson.”
“You’re welcome, Dakota.” Nodding, he started toward his SUV. She couldn’t help but notice that his faded jeans, simple hoodie, and sneakers were a stark contrast to his expensive-looking vehicle.
Her hands shaking, she hopped into the driver’s seat and motored out of her driveway. She ended up at her shop with only two minutes to spare.
***
Later that evening, Dakota flipped off the lights in her store, turned the Open sign to Closed, and locked the front door. Relief wound through her as she made her way to the back door. Today had been the most successful day she’d had in more than a month. She’d managed to sell the new client a gown, and she’d even found bridesmaids’ dresses she liked. The woman also said she’d send her groom back with his attendants for their tuxedos.
Layla had finally come by in the afternoon for her first fitting, and though Dakota hadn’t been able to get Hudson out of her mind most of the day, she had managed to steer their conversation away from Layla’s older brother. More than anything Dakota just wanted to go home, flop on her couch, and veg out, but she had less than two hours to get ready for her skating students.
After powering down her computer and turning off her office light, Dakota slipped out the back door and drove down the block to Barton Automotive. She paid for her tire repair before Carter Donovan installed it for her. She was grateful he had been able to fix it, and the cost was much less than a new tire would have been.
When she walked back out to her car, a delectable whiff of coffee filled her senses, and she gazed down the street toward Bloom’s. Herthoughts turned to Hudson once again, and she imagined he liked his coffee black like his heart. She snickered.
Then another thought hit her. Hudson had gone out of his way this morning to change her tire for her. Without his assistance, she would’ve struggled to do it herself and most likely would’ve had to either change her clothes or call her father for help.
But now that Hud had helped her, she felt indebted to him, which made her uncomfortable. She didn’t want to owe him anything, and she certainly didn’t want him to think she still had feelings for him. Giving him the wrong impression would make the situation even more awkward now that he was staying next door.
One way to solve that was to get him a gift card for the coffee shop as a thank-you. That way, she’d no longer owe him, but she’d be showing him gratitude for his help—something her mother had always taught her to do. Sending thank-you notes was important, and a simple gift card would do the trick.
Dakota drove to the coffee shop and parked in front. Then she hurried up the sidewalk and inside the coffee shop before taking her spot in line to purchase a gift card.
***
Later Dakota nosed her car into the driveway. After leaving the coffee shop, she had dropped off the donations, but now she had to eat something, change, and hurry off to the rink. It would be a long night, since after she and Kayleigh gave their lessons, Dakota planned to stay past closing time to help Kayleigh, Brice, and the rest of the team decorate for tomorrow’s ’80s night.
Turning toward the colonial next door, she saw the empty driveway. While she was grateful Hudson wasn’t home, her curiosity got the best of her. Was he having supper with his aunt and sister?
She removed the gift card from the side pocket of her purse,located a pen, and then wrote on the envelope: “Thanks for your help with the tire. Enjoy a cup of coffee on me. Sincerely, Dakota.”
After grabbing a tape dispenser from the desk in her office, she zipped over to the colonial and taped the gift card to the storm door. Then she scampered back to her house, thankful to have avoided another run-in with him. When he found the gift card, they would be square.
She returned to her house and fed her yammering cat before changing into jeans and a t-shirt. She made a turkey sandwich and leaned against the counter to eat while watching the news and scrolling through social media on her phone.
When her phone chimed with a text, she pulled up a message from Parker.
Sorry I haven’t texted. It’s been crazy at work. Would love to see you again.
Dakota swallowed the last bite of her sandwich. She kneaded her forehead and considered her niece’s words about how she’d spend the rest of her life alone if she didn’t make time for a relationship. Despite Skye’s words, Dakota wasn’t convinced she could create a connection with Parker if it wasn’t already there.
At the same time, Parker was easy to talk to and genuine, which were qualities she admired.
Dakota poised her thumbs over the phone and began to type:
Maybe we can plan something for next week? Things should slow down for me.
Conversation bubbles appeared almost immediately.
Sounds great. I’ll reach out next week.
After setting her plate in the dishwasher, she sighed. Maybe Skye was right and she needed to get back into the dating game.
But if that was true, then why did she feel so reluctant?
Chapter 7