“We did. The music added to the whole mood.”
“You should have danced.”
“I didn’t have enough drinks in me to get out on the dance floor.”
“Hasn’t stopped you before,” I mumble. Dakota shoots me a look, and I slump against the counter. Be nice, I silently chastise myself. She has the money to buy the cake.
“Maybe another night, then,” Isla says as Dakota hands her a credit card. “Nay, we’ll open a tab for you.”
“Ohh, a tab, I like the sound of that,” I say, perking up while Isla hands Dakota a paper bag full of our treats.
“Do not let Bonnie add anything to the tab or start her own,” Dakota says, looking Isla directly in the eyes. “Do you understand? If given access to such a privilege, she will run us into the ground. Her obsession with cake is borderline lunacy.”
“Ha, as if you don’t have the same problem.” I point my thumb toward Dakota. “Loves cake . . . but obsessed with muffins.” I wink, and Dakota knocks me in the stomach with her elbow.
Okay, I deserved that.
Isla smiles playfully and winks. “Pretty obsessed with muffins myself.”
And oh my God, the way Isla stares my friend down . . . I swear on the Dundee cake, a wave of butterflies erupts in my stomach.
Dakota’s cheeks redden, and she fumbles with the bag as she walks backward to the door. “Yeah, muffins . . . ahem,” she says, clearing her throat, and be still my heart she’s so nervous. “Muffins are good.”
“Especially when licked, right?” I say, because why not, at this point? Already in the doghouse.
“Especially,” Isla says, laughing as she starts wiping down the counter. “Have a good day, lasses.”
“You too, Isla.” I give her a wave and take Dakota by the arm, ushering her out the door and onto the street.
She’s silent as we make our way to the coffee shop, but the minute we’re inside and the door is shut, she pounces on me.
“What the hell was that back there?”
“What was what?” I snag the bag from her and set it on one of the shop’s two tables as I sit down in one of the matching chairs. Not even bothering with any kind of finesse, I dive into the bag and pull out the Dundee cake. I tear off a piece and stuff it in my mouth. “Holy Highlands, that is delicious.” Almond flavoring washes over my tongue, followed by hints of orange and sweet raisin. “Want a piece?” I hold up the round cake to her, but she just stares me down.
“Bonnie, that was humiliating back there. Licking muffins? Could you be any more obvious?”
“I could have said licking vaginas, but I kept it classy.” I take another bite as I melt into my seat. I think I’ll be having a love affair with Dundee cake while I’m here.
“That was not classy.” She presses her hand to her forehead and starts pacing. “God, what she must think of me.”
“She’s probably thinking, ‘When can I take the stiff blonde out on a date?’”
“She was not thinking that.”
“Uh, she totally is. From the way she was eyeing you last night and the playful banter this morning, oh yes, ma’am, she’s definitely wondering when she can ask you out.”
Dakota pauses and sets her hands on her hips. “You really think so?” The smallest of smirks plays on her lips. And God, I’ve missed that mischievous smile, the one that shows just how excited she is despite her best efforts to hide it. I haven’t seen it in a while, not since Isabella broke her heart.
“Yup. Only a matter of time before she comes over here and asks out my beautiful best friend.” I hold out a piece of the Dundee cake, and this time she takes it. “Honestly, Isla is a hot piece of Scottish ass.”
Dakota’s cheeks redden, and she sits down next to me. “She’s really pretty, isn’t she?”
“Totally. Her freckles are cute.”
“I really like her freckles,” Dakota says with excitement. “And her voice.”
“Oh, look at you—you’re so smitten.”
“Not smitten, just . . .” She shrugs, and I push her shoulder.
“You’re smitten, and I like it. This is a good thing.”
“What if she does ask me out?”
“Uh, you say yes and go out with her. Are you kidding me, Dakota? You need this. Even if it’s a vacation fling. You’ve put yourself in this nondating box ever since Isabella broke up with you, but now it’s time to get out and open up to new possibilities. This is important, the first date after the breakup. If anything, it gets you back in the game, and that’s what I want to see—my girl happy.”