I rise from my seat, more out of instinct than anything else. The polite thing to do is introduce myself.
I extend my hand, my words coming out a little more breathless than I intended. “Reid. Nice to meet you.”
“Nice to meet you, Reid. I’m Dakota.”
“Dakota Fletcher?” Hank booms beside me. “I didn’t know we’d ever see you again.”
Dakota laughs and blushes a little. “Yeah. Just for a little while. Showing Charlie where his mama grew up.”
“Well, the food is still just as good as it always was.” Hank laughs. “The town, too.”
What is that look on Dakota’s face?
And why am I so damn intrigued by her?
CHAPTER FIVE
Dakota
I’m soglad to see Violet. I really am. It’s been far too long, and there’s something comforting about being with someone who knows you inside and out. Someone who gets the version of you before the world started piling up on your shoulders.
“Well, you look way too good for someone who’s been hiding out,” Violet teases, her eyes sweeping over me. “Come, take a seat. I’ll make you guys something to eat. Don’t worry, my cooking skills have improved massively.”
Me and Charlie slide into chairs at the counter. “I sure hope so. I remember when you used to burn toast. Then again, I also can’t imagine you tutoring kids.”
Violet lets out a dramatic gasp, putting her hand over her heart as if I’ve offended her deeply. “You wound me, Dakota Fletcher! I’ll have you know I’ve perfected the art of toast. And as for tutoring… well, I’m pretty good at it if I do say so myself. No one’s failed on my watch, and that’s a personal achievement.”
I chuckle, watching her bustle around behind the counter, clearly enjoying herself. She pulls out a pan and sets it on the stove, and Charlie immediately perks up.
“Are we getting something sweet?” he asks, full of excitement.
I glance down at him, seeing that wide-eyed enthusiasm that I can never get enough of. If there’s one thing that keeps me going, it’s Charlie’s innocence. He has no idea how complicated things have gotten, and maybe that’s for the best.
“Sweet? Oh, we’ve got plenty of that,” Violet says, her eyes twinkling. “But how about something with a little more substance first? Pancakes, bacon, and eggs, coming right up.”
“Pancakes?” Charlie asks, his face lighting up bright as a Christmas tree.
He’s easy to please, and it’s something I’m grateful for. The world may be falling apart, but if he gets pancakes, life’s good.
I nod, turning my attention back to Violet. “That sounds perfect. Thanks, Vi. I appreciate it.”
As she heads into the back to finish up the dish, I notice a presence sidling closer to me. I don’t need to look up to know it’s Reid.
He has that kind of aura. A breeze sweeping through a room, with an adorable, albeit slightly out of tune, whistling.
“So, Dakota… you went to high school here, right?”
I narrow my eyes at him. “Yeah. I remember you from back then, but I don’t think we ever ran in the same circles.”
Reid leans in just a little. “I see. I guess I was a bit… loud back then. Too loud for a lot of people.”
He smiles, as if daring me to challenge him.
“Are you still?” I raise an eyebrow, knowing exactly what I’m asking.
He gives me a cocky grin, his eyes glinting. “Nah. I’ve grown up now.”
I cross my arms, my lips curling into a smirk. “Oh, really? You’ve grown up, huh? Guess I’ll believe it when I see it.”
