His smile took up half of his handsome face, his blond hair short and perfectly parted. “Hey, Paisley.”
His attention drifted to me, lingering a little longer, his brown eyes soft. “Dakota, how are you today?”
I forced myself to straighten, the smile I put on so brittle I wasn’t sure how it didn’t crack.
“I’m good. How are you?”
“Good, good,” he said, though concern colored his expression. “I heard about the break-in at your place. I’m really sorry to hear that. I thought I’d pop over to check on you.”
I did my best to shrug. “Thanks, Brad. It wasn’t a big deal. Whoever it was didn’t come inside and probably got scared away when they realized someone was home. Ezra thinks it’s someone out stealing whatever they can find of value, and they stumbled on my place not realizing we lived there.”
He shoved his hands into the pockets of his slacks and rocked back on his heels. “I hate that for you, though.”
My smile slipped into something genuine. Brad really was a great guy.
“That’s so nice of you, Brad.” Paisley drew it out, tilting her head, my ex-bestie laying it on thick.
He chuckled, glancing between us like he was trying to figure out what was up. “I’m sure everyone in town is worried about our Dakota.”
Excitement split her face with the way he phrased it, and there was no way to stop her from continuing without appearing like I was a crazy person flying over the counter to press my hand over her mouth. Still, I was gaping in some kind of horrified shock when she didn’t just throw me under the bus again, she dragged me out into the middle of the road and chained me to the pavement.
“Maybe you should take her out for dinner to get her mind off it?”
Brad’s gaze skated to me, though he’d kept his head down a bit, unsure. “I’d like that.”
I inhaled a frazzled breath. Backed into a corner.
“Sounds great.” I regretted it before it was even out.
“Wednesday?” he asked.
Air heaved from my nose, and I nearly told him I was busy for the next eternity. Instead, I said, “Sure.”
Pleasure hinted at the edge of his mouth, lips quirking up a fraction. “I’ll pick you up at seven then.”
“Great.”
Not great.
It was so not great.
He started to walk away when Paisley fully turned her stool around and called, “You’re going to have to pick her up at Ryder’s place. She’s staying there for the time being.”
A tight frown formed on Brad’s brow before he dipped his head in acceptance. “Got it.”
Then he turned and weaved through the dining room to one of the long tables where he sat opposite Mitch, one of the two accountants in town.
“I cannot believe you.” The hiss was out the second he was out of earshot.
Paisley slowly swiveled back around, far too proud of herself. “You can’t believe me? I thought we already talked about you starting to date.”
“No, I said I was too busy to date.”
“No one should ever be too busy to get loved-up by his fine a-s-s.” She leaned forward to whisper-spell it. Doubling up on the precautions so Evelyn wouldn’t understand.
“You are the a-s-s. I don’t need you to go setting me up. I have enough on my plate.” My voice was just as low where I was inclined her direction.
Sure. I was trying to get over Ryder. But I didn’t think I was ready to fully date. It just didn’t…feel right.
She reached over and covered my hand, squeezing it in emphasis. Soft sincerity flooded her features. “It’s okay to have a little fun, Dakota. To get out and enjoy yourself. Open yourself up to the possibility because while you might deny it, you and I both know you’ve been closed off to it. I hate that you won’t let me in and tell me why, but the last thing I want is for you to close yourself off. I just care about you and want the best for you.”
Resignation had me blowing out a sigh. “I know you do, I’m just not sure—”
Her head shook. “Brad might not be your love match, but you’re never going to know unless you try. It’s just one date. That’s all I’m asking of you. What could it hurt?”
The problem was, there was that achy spot inside me that promised it would always hurt. This hole that could only be filled by one person.
Shaking my head, I mumbled, “Fine.”
Paisley threw a fist in the air. “There is my fabulous, ferocious, Grade-A, amazing bestie.”