And Reid, the one who always knows how to make me laugh, even when everything else feels too heavy.
All of them. In front of me. Taking me out.
“Ready for a night out?” Clint asks.
I swallow hard, stepping down from the porch. “I didn’t think… I didn’t know you guys were all going to be here. Together, I mean.”
Reid chuckles, a playful glint in his eyes. “Well, you’ve got three of us here, Dakota. No backing out now.”
I don’t know what’s more overwhelming: the fact that this is happening at all, or the fact that I’m trying to figure out what this is. But before I can dwell on it too much, Clint steps forward, holding the door open for me.
“After you,” he says, and I feel that familiar flutter in my chest.
Clint’s truck hums down the road, the guys all relaxed and chatty, and I’m caught between wanting to pinch myself and bursting out laughing.
They’re acting like this is just another evening of hanging out, but I can tell something’s different. As if they’ve collectively decided this night’s going to be amazing.
“So, Dakota,” Reid says, leaning in from the back seat, “have you ever heard of Colter Creek’s world-famous taco truck?”
I raise an eyebrow. “World famous, huh?”
“Okay, fine,” Reid says with a dramatic sigh, “maybe notworldfamous. But it’s the best-kept secret in town. You can’t say no to the tacos here.”
“Wait, a secret taco truck?” I’m already laughing, but I don’t even know why.
“Yep,” he says, eyes sparkling, “It’s a rite of passage. And let me tell you, their salsa? It’s so spicy it’ll have you questioning your life choices.”
I glance over at Clint, who looks like he’s trying not to laugh. “Is that true?”
He shrugs with a grin. “Reid exaggerates. But it’s really good. You’ll see.”
I can’t help it. I roll my eyes and laugh. “What’s next? A secret underground dance club?”
“You wish,” Reid chimes in. “But tacos first. Let’s go!”
This feels like the start of a movie. The kind where everything is just perfectly quirky.
When we pull up to the taco truck, I’m immediately hit with the smell of sizzling meat and definitely too much spice. Reid goes into full tour-guide mode, ordering for me before I can protest.
“You’re gonna love it,” he says, practically bouncing on his heels. “And if it kills you, I’ll be there with the milk. I promise.”
I laugh, shaking my head. “You’re insane.”
Clint is clearly amused. “Reid’s not wrong. It’s spicy, but it’s worth it.”
“I can handle spice,” I mutter, though I’m not entirely sure I can.
We dig into our tacos at a little picnic table nearby, and Reid launches into more random trivia about the town’s history, like the fact that the mayor once tried to pass a law making it illegal to wear cowboy hats to church.
I snort. “Wait, what?”
“Yep,” Reid says with a grin. “And when they tried to vote on it, the whole town showed up to protest. All wearing cowboy hats.”
Clint chuckles. “Reid, Dakota grew up here. She knows more about this town than you. Stop making shit up.”
Sawyer laughs and shakes his head. “Reid, is that how you flirt? I’m surprised anyone has ever taken a second look at you.”
I burst out laughing, feeling that lightness I hadn’t realized I’d been missing. “Okay, okay, this is the best first date I’ve ever had.”
