Page 47 of With This Ring
And if she were to be completely honest with herself, she hadn’t been able to stop thinking about Hudson since they’d held hands after the relay race. She could almost feel his warm skin still against hers, and the way her heart had thundered when they’d laughed together. The race had taken her back to happier times when they were in love—before he’d chosen his career over their future together.
She’d spent most of the evening doing her best to focus on Parker, but her eyes and her heart kept defying her. She marveled at how good Hudson had looked out on the rink floor. He was still graceful and athletic, and she was struck by how he interacted with Anissa. He seemed so attentive when he talked to her and skated with her. It made her wonder about what could have been between them if they’d gotten married, had a family...
“Can I help you and Brice clean up before I go?” Dakota asked.
Kayleigh shook her head. “No, but thanks.” She pointed toward the rental booth. “Ryan is handling the skate returns, and the cleaning crew comes in on Mondays.”
Dakota scanned the last of the patrons leaving. When she saw Hudson talking with Gavin near the rink entrance, her heart hitched.
Brice carried Gigi over to Kayleigh and Dakota. “Me and Parker were just talking about getting together. We should plan a double date for the four of us,” he said as he turned toward Parker. “We’ll have more time to talk when I’m not at work.”
Parker sidled up to Dakota, and she could feel his gaze on her.
Kayleigh widened her eyes at Dakota. “That would be so fun, right?”
Dakota hesitated. She glanced at Hudson again and felt the familiar, frustrating attraction. She tried to dismiss it, then smiled at Parker. “Let’s get together at my place next week. Maybe Thursday night?”
“Perfect,” Kayleigh said, and Brice and Parker agreed. Then she hugged Dakota. “I’ll talk to you soon.”
Dakota and Parker said good night to Kayleigh and Brice before making their way out into the chilly night air of mid-March. She shivered and zipped up her coat before pushing her hands into her pockets. The dark sky above them was clear and sprinkled with stars, and the warm yellow glow of the streetlights cast shadows on the pavement.
Parker reached for her tote bag. “Can I carry this for you?”
She shook her head. “No, I’m good.”
He pressed his lips together before his expression brightened. “I had a blast tonight.”
“Me too.”
They weaved past other cars on their way to her Focus, which sat at the back of the lot.
An awkward silence filled the space between them, and she tried to think of something to say. The moments ticked by while thesounds of cars passing on the street and their shoes on the pavement drifted over them.
Unbidden thoughts of evenings with Hudson came to Dakota’s mind. She couldn’t remember one time when they’d run out of words. Except maybe when they were too busy kissing. Thrills rushed through her at the memory of his lips caressing hers, and she swallowed a groan. Why couldn’t she get that man out of her mind?
When they reached her car, she tossed her purse and tote bag onto the passenger seat.
“I look forward to seeing you Thursday,” he said.
She pushed an errant lock of her hair behind her ear. “Me too.” She tried to smile, but it felt strained.
“Good night.” Parker’s expression clouded with a serious look, and when he puckered his lips and ducked his head, panic filled her chest.
Dakota quickly threw her arms around his shoulders and pulled him in for a hug. “Good night,” she said, patting his back. Then she climbed into her car, started the engine, and lowered the window. “See you Thursday, Parker.”
Disappointment flickered over his features. “Drive safe.”
“You too.” With a wave, Dakota steered out of the parking lot, confusion twisting her up inside.
Chapter 11
Hudson climbed into his SUV the following Thursday afternoon. His legs, arms, and back were sore from another day working with Gavin on framing the new building.
He’d started early Monday morning at the restaurant jobsite. Being the new guy and rusty when it came to working construction, he needed to be reminded of a lot—namely that the job demanded really hard physical labor. He’d naively thought his gym membership and physical trainer would have more impact on his stamina while pouring concrete. He was wrong. He’d forgotten how sore he’d always get when working for Smith’s Construction.
Just as Hudson started the engine, his phone rang. His aunt’s name appeared on the screen, and he pushed a button to connect to the Bluetooth. “Hello?”
“Hi there, stranger,” his aunt’s voice rang over the speakers. “I haven’t seen you in a week. Did you head back to the Big Apple without saying goodbye?”