Don't Forget Me Tomorrow(33)

The child could melt you with a glance.

I reached over the counter and tapped her nose. “You bet I did.”

Her smile was so big it took over her entire face. “That’s really good because I missed you, too. All the way to the moon. Did you know I got to take my horse Mazzy for a ride today? Four whole miles.”

My eyes widened. “No way.”

“Yes way.” She gave me an emphatic nod. “I went with my mom, and she rode her horse, too, and we had the most fun we’ve ever even had, and then she said we could come here for lunch since it’s our favorite.”

Love rushed from my best friend.

A torrent.

So intense it nearly swept me from my feet, so I could only imagine the magnitude of what she was feeling.

Evelyn had just started calling her mom in the last couple weeks, ever since Caleb had proposed to Paisley and Evelyn had in turn asked if Paisley could be her mother. Paisley and Caleb had tried to be casual about it, allowing Evelyn to make the progression herself as she felt comfortable.

No question, Evelyn coming to that point had touched Paisley in a profound way.

I was so happy she’d found this piece of her heart.

That didn’t mean I wasn’t still crazy annoyed at my friend who was always up to no good.

Still, I told Evelyn, “It sounds like a wonderful day.”

Paisley cleared the roughness from her throat and pinned on that easiness she loved to wear, tossing a lock of her nearly white hair over her shoulder. “Are you going to feed me or what?”

I scoffed. “Feed you? Didn’t you see I’d pinned a picture of you on the front door saying you’re banned from the restaurant?”

The gasp she let go of was ridiculous. “Ban me? The greatest friend you could ever ask for? The one who promised to help bury the bodies if ever necessary? Your ride or die?”

“My ride or die who keeps trying to throw me under the bus,” I grumbled.

“I’m just trying to get you a ride, Dakota. You should be thanking me.”

“Thanking you for what? Insinuating something you know isn’t there? You have to stop that. The only thing you did was make Ryder go all big-brother bear on me while I’m having to stay under his roof. No thank you very much.”

“I was just feeling out the waters…and believe me, they were hot. Scorching, Dakota.” She dragged out the last.

Disbelief puffed from my lungs, and I kept my words low to keep them from any eavesdroppers hanging out in the restaurant. In Time River, there were bound to be plenty of them. “Hate to break it to you, but those waters are freezing cold. He’s just in a stir over this whole break-in thing. You know there is nothing there, so drop it, okay?”

Ever since she’d moved back, she’d been watching Ryder and me a little too closely. Looking for something that didn’t exist.

But my bestie was a dreamer.

A romantic of the highest sort.

A believer of white knights and twisted fates and fantasies that always came to fruition.

She sat back, a challenge written on her face. “So, are you telling me you don’t want a ride?”

I started wiping down the counter a little more aggressively than necessary. “The only thing I’m telling you is I’m never getting a ride on that, so I’d appreciate you not needling it.”

“Are we going to the fair?” Evelyn asked, far too excited by the prospect.

I choked over a laugh, and Paisley cracked up, and she reached over to wrap both arms around her and squeezed her tight. “Absolutely, in two months.”

“Yay.” Evelyn bounced on her knees, rocking the stool a bit.

“You be careful. We don’t need you to fall over and bonk your head. Your dad is liable to lose his whole mind if you end up in the urgent care.” Paisley winked at her, like she wouldn’t be losing it, too.

“I will be the carefulest,” Evelyn promised.

Blowing out a sigh, I tossed the rag into the bucket under the counter. “Alright, you two, what do you want to eat?”

“I’m going to need one of those burgers and fries.” Paisley moaned in anticipation. “I cannot handle how good they are.”

“Samesies,” Evelyn said, nodding. “We got all the same favorites.”

Affection gushed from Paisley.

Relentless and unending.

“So, I’m guessing we’re going to need two of my famous strawberry iced teas?” I asked.

“That’s right. And make it a double,” Evelyn piped up.

Paisley and I shared an amused glance before I said, “On it.”

I punched in their order then moved down the counter to prepare the iced teas, adding double the amount of muddled strawberries into the fresh brew before I passed them out.

“One for Evie-Love and one for Paisley-Cakes.”

Then I lowered my voice. “Who is still on my hit list.”

Mischief was clear as she sat back and canted her head. “So, if you’re not over there waiting for Ryder, I guess that means you’re open to dating someone else.”

Apprehension gusted, but I shrugged like it didn’t matter. “I’m too busy to date.”

Paisley’s green eyes widened in horror. “No one should ever be too busy for love.”

“That’s right. Love is really the most important, and we can’t get too busy for that,” Evelyn agreed.