Page 46 of With This Ring
A coil of envy wrapped around his insides and tightened. He was being ridiculous. Why would he be jealous of his ex-fiancée’s boyfriend after the way she’d hurt him?
Hudson lifted his cup before taking a drink.
Gavin studied him. “You and Dakota looked like you were having a good time together. Seemed pretty cozy to me.”
Hud shook his head. “Not even close.”
“I know it’s none of my business, but you two were together for a long time.” Gavin lifted his dark eyebrows. “What happened?”
Hudson ate a few nachos and then wiped his hands on a napkin, trying to keep his expression devoid of emotion. “We were engaged, but she broke it off right before I left for New York.” His lips formed a sarcastic smile. “And that was that.”
Gavin nodded slowly. “That was a long time ago. People change. Circumstances change.”
“Not this circumstance. She decided she didn’t want to marry me.” He said the words simply, as if they weren’t still a punch to his gut nearly a decade later.
“Well, as an outsider looking in, it sure seems like there’s some serious chemistry between you two.”
“There isn’t,” Hud said tersely. He nodded toward Parker sitting beside Dakota in a booth across the way. “And even if there was, she’s obviously seeing someone now.”
She already destroyed me once, and I’m not likely to take that chance with her again.
“When I met Jeannie, I’d recently gone through a bad breakup. I was certain I’d never get married. Now I have JeannieandAnissa, and I’ve never been happier. Who knows? You and Dakota might get a second chance.”
Hudson picked up another nacho and considered his friend’s words. He couldn’t imagine ever trusting Dakota again.
At the same time, he couldn’t deny that he’d felt his heart starting to come back to life tonight.
“Want to skate with me, Mr. Hud?” Anissa said.
Hudson turned his focus to the sweet little girl. “Of course I do.”
He wiped his hands, took one more sip of his drink, and followed her back out to the rink.
***
“Tonight was so fun,” Kayleigh said while she and Dakota stood by the party rooms in the rink. “You were amazing in that relay race, Dakota. No one skates backward better than you.”
The rink had closed and patrons were filing through the exit doors toward the parking lot. Brice and Parker were only a few feet away, talking while Brice balanced a sleeping Gigi in his arms.
Dakota pulled on her jacket. “You would have beat everyone if you’d raced, Kay. You don’t give yourself enough credit.”
Kayleigh leaned in close and lowered her voice. “Parker seems to like you a lot.”
“Yeah, he does.” Dakota was careful to keep her voice soft.
“And...?” Kayleigh prodded.
“And now isn’t the time to discuss it.” Dakota pointed her chin toward Brice and Parker.
“Well, I’m glad to see you finally dating again.”
“We’re notofficiallydating.”
“You should be.” Kayleigh gently bumped her shoulder against Dakota’s. “He’s a super-nice guy.”
“You know how insane my life is right now.” Dakota lifted her purse and tote bag, which held her skates, onto her shoulder.
Parker had been funny and attentive all evening, and judging by how he and Brice continued to talk, he was a good fit with her friends. But despite his magnetic personality and his good looks, Dakota wasn’t attracted to him. Her heart just wasn’t feeling it at all.