“If she asks, I will.”
“Why don’t you ask her?” Rowan chimes in, bringing two plates of food to the table. He sets them in front of us with silverware and then returns to the counter, leaning against it and picking up a plate for himself. He grabs a fork and starts to dig in, and I realize something—he might drive me crazy and he might be the grumpiest person I’ve ever met, but underneath it all, he’s a very kind and caring man.
A protector.
Someone who likes to serve others.
I don’t think I’ve ever met a man like him. It’s scary, yet refreshing.
“I’ve never asked someone out before,” Dakota admits. “What would I even say?”
“Simple,” Rowan says. “Just say, ‘Hey, I had a great time Friday night. Would you want to do it again sometime?’”
“That’s a great way to put it,” I say, though it feels odd to agree with Rowan.
“You think?” Dakota pushes some eggs around. “It makes me so nervous.”
“Think about how nervous Isla was to ask you out in the first place,” Rowan points out. “Being the only lesbian—or gay person—in a small town means that dating has had its challenges, and when she has ventured out, she’s been burned every time. Asking you out was a big deal . . . and probably why she invited the third wheel too.” Rowan nods toward me.
“I was a very charming third wheel.”
“‘Charming’ is a stretch.” I’m about to protest when he winks and then shoves a forkful of eggs into his mouth.
Good God, if he winks like that again, I’ll pop my breasts back out of this dress and shimmy them in front of his face. No shame.
“You think she’d appreciate it if I asked her out? We didn’t kiss or anything—maybe she didn’t think it was a good date.”
“If she held your hand, it was a good date. Trust me, Isla works slow. Ask her out, Dakota. I bet it’ll really make her day.”
“Yeah?”
Rowan nods. “Yeah.”
“Okay, then I’ll do it.” Dakota puffs her chest. “I’ll ask her out. Thanks, Rowan.”
“Anytime.”
Dakota is in the bathroom, getting ready for her big day, while I laze about at the dining table, watching Rowan finish up with the dishes that he insisted upon washing.
He’s so hot and cold all the time. I honestly don’t know how to read him. All I know is that last night and this morning—especially this morning—he’s put a dent in the armor I wear when I’m around him.
He switches off the water, dries his hands, and then turns around, gripping the counter and leaning against it, eyes trained on me. His shirt and jeans are buttoned now, but he still has a fresh-from-bed look, which is doing crazy things to whatever resolve I have left.
“Thank you,” I say before he can open his mouth.
“What for?”
“Well, for breakfast and the dishes, but mainly for giving Dakota the confidence she needed to take that next step—one I’m not sure she’d have made without some insider encouragement.”
“Dakota reminds me a lot of Isla—soft spoken, sweet, and shy when it comes to relationships. They both need a push, a bit of help to make those steps toward creating something they want.”
I rest my chin in my hand and give him a long look. “You’re very thoughtful, Rowan.”
“Not the arsehole you think I am, huh?”
“Never thought you were. Just . . . I don’t know. You know how to press my buttons.”
“Same, lass.” He pushes off the counter and stuffs his hands in his pockets. “I’m going to take off. I’ll see you around.”
He’s started to the door when I call out, “Hold on.” I get out of my chair and close the distance between us.
I don’t know what I’m about to do, but I know I need to do something, because there are about a hundred different emotions buzzing through me, bubbling up and needing release.
Feeling awkward and hoping he doesn’t push me away, I reach out and wrap my arms around his waist. I pause for a moment, waiting for a reaction, and when he doesn’t move, I take that as a good sign and give him a hug.
Holding my breath, I wait for what feels like minutes, but is only seconds, before his arms encircle me as well and he pulls me in tight. I press my cheek to his chest, remembering how good this felt when we were up at Corsekelly Castle. And it feels so good now that our hug lasts, stretching on and on.