“We’ve never found anyone who grabbed our interest,” Calian replied.
Renee wrinkled her nose. “Casual sex, huh? Works for me too.”
“Anyone for dessert?” the waitress asked on her return, chirpy with her Australian accent.
Renee hesitated, her gaze flicking to the menus the waitress held in her hands.
She wanted dessert. Dakota watched her make the decision to pass even though temptation caused her to hesitate.
“Calian claimed dessert is calling his name,” Dakota said, scanning the menu. He cupped an ear with one big hand as if listening. “Yes, I hear the call. Hmm, I’m having trouble deciding which is shouting loudest. There are five of us. Why don’t we get one of each dessert and share?”
“You want one of each?” the waitress asked.
“Yes, please,” Kansas said.
When the desserts arrived, Dakota watched Renee. “You choose first.”
“Chocolate,” she whispered.
Dakota shunted a chocolate brownie with fudge sauce and whipped cream to her. “Calian? Matto?”
“Lemon tart.” Matto grabbed the plate bearing a slice of tart with whipped cream.
“I’ll take the blueberry crumble,” Calian said.
Kansas claimed the crème brûlée, which left Dakota with a meringue-type dessert.
“What’s this one?” he asked the waitress before she bustled away.
“Pavlova,” the waitress said. “The dessert was invented in Australia.”
“No, New Zealand,” Renee countered. “Researchers have proved this.”
The waitress chuckled and backed away with her hands in a surrender position. “Whatever,” she chirped. “Enjoy.”
“I’m not sharing mine.” Matto held a protective hand over his plate in case any spoons flashed in his direction.
Renee laughed, the sound musical and full of happiness. Dakota tilted his head, enjoying this lighthearted side of her that none of them had experienced before. It made him realize the tension she carried around with her like a heavy bag.
“Renee, you want to try my pavlova stuff?”
“I’m sure it’s not as good as my grandmother’s. She used to make a huge pavlova for Christmas dinner.” Renee licked her lips, the slight curve of her mouth letting Dakota know this was a fond memory. “Fresh strawberries, lashings of whipped cream and flakes of dark chocolate decorated the dessert. Pavlova reminds me of summer.”
This was the Renee he ached to know. The open, happy woman who grinned, her brown eyes full of laughter and memories. He glanced at Kansas, saw the arrested expression on his twin’s face. A smile played around Calian’s lips while Matto stared.
“Have I got chocolate on my face?” Renee asked.
“No, honey,” Dakota said. “You look relaxed and happy. It makes us realize how tense you’ve been recently.”
The smile slid from her expression. “You are sure those guys have gone?”
“Positive.” Dakota reached for her hand and squeezed it in encouragement. “Kansas and I watched them board the plane.”
Calian glanced at the surrounding tables. He leaned nearer. “Last night, I started making inquiries about Jason Vega. My contact says he’s in Miami. She’s working on a list of Jason’s enforcers. I’m hoping she’ll have the information for me this week.”
“You think if those two men were here because of Jason Vega, that someone else will replace them,” Renee said flatly.
“It’s possible,” Calian replied. “But if it’s one of Vega’s known associates we’ll be prepared.”
