and flings herself at Dakota. “You’re my favorite person!” she exclaims, her voice high-pitched and sweet.
Dakota laughs and presses a kiss to her temple.
My stomach drops. Does Dakota have a daughter?
Thoughts slam through my brain, ping-ponging around incoherently. My lips remain shut tight except for when I’m introduced to Dakota’s sister and her family. I suffer through playing nice with them, when the only person I’m really interested in is the little girl in Dakota’s arms.
“And this is Emerson,” Mitch says, pointing at the child who has not yet let go of Dakota.
Rage mounts inside me. I sip my whiskey, trying my damnedest to calm down.
Maybe it’s not what it looks like. Maybe I’m assuming, letting my imagination run wild.
The little girl, Emerson, turns in Dakota’s arms and levels a full stare right at me.
All the muscles in my stomach tighten and my entire world flips upside down.
Or, maybe, the situation is exactly what it looks like.
13
Dakota
“My God, Dakota,” Abby whisper-hisses as we walk Taylor and Emerson to the hotel room they booked for tonight and tomorrow night. Her lips are so close I can feel the whoosh of her breath against my skin.
“What?” I whisper back. I don’t know why we’re whispering, but a whispered comment necessitates a whispered response.
“Wes,” she mouths, raising her eyebrows and making a face that conveys her appreciation for him. Or, at least, for his physical appearance.
I giggle. I can’t help it.
“You’re right,” she continues to whisper, casting a quick glance behind us to make sure the girls are still skipping together a few feet away. “He is not just a Lake Guy. He’s a Wow Guy.”
“A Wow Guy?”
She nods solemnly.
“I’m surprised you got that from tonight. He was being even more reserved after you guys showed up.” Truthfully, he was borderline rude.
“Nah.” Abby waves her hand. “He seemed overwhelmed. And he kept looking at Emerson.” She gasps and grabs my forearm. “What if he thinks Emerson is your daughter? She was all over you, and Dad only introduced her by name, not as my daughter specifically.” She gasps. “What if he thinks she’s his? The age fits.”
My amusement fades as I picture his face when Emerson buried her head in my chest. Maybe I mistook shock for rudeness.
“Aw, crap. I’m going to have to call him and explain.” I can’t imagine what he’s feeling right now.
The hand dangling at my side is tugged. I look down and see Emerson staring up at me. “Auntie Dakota, can I sleep with you tonight?”
I look at Abby with alarm. I need to call Wes, and I can’t do that with Emerson in my room.
Abby bends down so she’s on eye level with Emerson. “Aunt Dakota has a little work to do tonight.”
Emerson crosses her arms and stomps her foot in the most classic display of resistance. I purse my lips to keep from laughing.
“How about,” I offer, bending down beside my sister, “you fall asleep in your mom’s room, and then when I’m done working I’ll come get you and put you in my bed? That way,” I pause to poke the tip of her nose, “we can wake up together.”
“Me too!” Taylor shouts from behind me. I rotate and gather her into my arms.
“Yes, you too, Taylor.”
Abby and I stand, and she mouths the words Thank you above the girls’ heads. We get to her room and Abby opens the door. The girls run in, but she leans on the doorknob and eyes me.
“What?” I ask, weirded out by the look on her face.
“You’re… different. He makes you uneasy.”
“You say that like it’s a good thing.”
Her head tips sideways. “I think it might be.”
I frown.
“You’re stuck, Dakota. You ended a long, unhealthy relationship six months ago, and you think Mom’s death is your fault even though it isn’t, and I don’t know what’s going on with your financial situation but collectors are calling looking for you.”
My cheeks warm. “I hope your goal isn’t to make me feel good about myself, because you really suck at it.”
She grins. “All I’m saying is that I think you should give Wes a chance. I don’t see what you have to lose.”
Abby’s probably right, but I don’t want to think about it right now.
I say goodnight to Emerson and Taylor, and tell them I’ll come get them after they’re asleep. “Make sure you and Armando take advantage of a kid-free room tonight,” I whisper-hiss.
She rolls her eyes. “Right, after he stayed to have another drink with Dad? Sex is