Page 39 of With This Ring
“I promise I won’t laugh or let you fall.”
“I’m going to hold you to that promise too,” he said.
She nodded, hardly believing she’d just agreed to another date.
***
Hudson jogged across the road toward the site where the old music store building had once stood. He’d been surprised when Gavin had called him earlier and invited him to stop by and talk business. He couldn’t imagine what the business was, but his curiosity propelled him down the street, where the streetlights cast a yellow glow, illuminating the dark storefronts and the sidewalk.
As he sauntered down the sidewalk, he spotted a couple standing between the movie theater and the music store. He went to step around them, and his eyes locked with Dakota’s. Then he focused on the man standing beside her.
It was the same guy who had barged into her store while she’d been measuring him for his tux. What was his name? He searched his mind.
Parker.
What a stupid name. Yet there she was with him, and he was beaming at her. It looked like he’d gotten the date she’d promised him yesterday, and it seemed pretty clear that Dakota wasn’t as single as Layla had insisted.
Well, good for them.
Dakota quickly looked away, and Hudson hurried past them.Then he rushed down the street to the vacant lot, where he found Gavin waiting for him, standing under a streetlight.
“Hud.” Gavin shook his hand. “Thanks for meeting me.”
“Sure thing.” He glanced past Gavin just in time to see Dakota and Parker disappearing down a side street. Once they were out of his sight, Hudson gave his friend his undivided attention. “What’s up?”
Gavin gestured toward the construction site. “Well, as you can see, the building was demolished earlier this week. Kind of bad timing though.” He sighed. “A few members of my crew moved on to other jobs, and now I’m shorthanded. Don’t guess you’d be interested in earning some calluses and messing up those manicured hands while in town, huh?”
Hudson laughed. “Don’t be a jerk.” He pretended to examine his short fingernails. “Not all New Yorkers get weekly manicures,” he joked. “I’m only going to be here until after Layla’s wedding, but... if you’re really in a bind, I could give it a try. I think I remember some tricks from when we worked for Mr. Smith. Maybe it’ll help me work out some of this frustration over my thing with Layla.”
Gavin paused. “Wait, for real? Do you remember how to hold a hammer?”
“Believe it or not, yes.” He struggled not to roll his eyes, but he was quite sure his tone was still a little exasperated.
“Great, great, that’s fine.” Gavin pointed at him and grinned. “You’re pretty smart. I can teach you anything you’ve forgotten.”
Hudson chuckled. “All right. It’s a deal.”
“Fantastic.” Gavin pointed back to the empty lot. “Now, let me tell you about the plans we have for this place. I already told you it’s going to be a restaurant, right?”
As Gavin talked, Hudson rubbed his hands together. As heconsidered the work he’d just agreed to, he couldn’t believe how excited he was to get started.
***
Kayleigh gave Dakota a high five the following night. “Great lessons! And we had even more kids join our children’s class. I’d say that’s a win.”
Dakota glanced around the rink. The place was buzzing with patrons preparing for the all-skate session, which would begin in five minutes. “I agree.”
Kayleigh scanned the lobby, and her smile faded. “There’s a line at the rental desk. I should go help Brice since Hayley called in sick tonight.”
“I can pitch in too.”
“Nope. You wait for your date.” Kayleigh bumped Dakota’s shoulder. “I think it’s great that you told Parker to meet you here tonight. I can’t wait to hear all about it.” She grinned before gliding toward the rental desk.
Dakota pulled out her phone from the back pocket of her jeans just as the DJ’s voice boomed over the speakers.
“Gooooood evening, everyone. Who’s ready for the general skate?”
Cheers went up around the room. A loud bassline began to play, and skaters filed out onto the rink.