Chapter 9
Dakota couldn’t believe she was sitting in the theater on a Thursday night when she had dresses to steam and Layla’s gown
to alter. But here she was, witnessing a good-looking actor on the screen loudly revving a sports car and chasing a bad guy
down a congested highway at top speed as exciting music swelled.
Beside her, Parker scooped a handful of buttery popcorn from the bucket and dropped it into his mouth, his eyes trained on
the movie.
Dakota sighed. She’d made a promise to Parker yesterday, and when she’d texted him last night, she’d let him talk her into
meeting up after work tonight. She was grateful the date had been platonic so far. He hadn’t tried to hold her hand or slip
his arm around her shoulders. Instead he’d purchased a ten-gallon bucket of popcorn and two sodas before they entered the
sparsely occupied theater and found two seats in the middle of a row.
Conversation before the movie began had been pleasant enough. They’d discussed their days, and he hadn’t stopped smiling since he’d met her in the lobby. Their interaction had been... nice.
But her mind still lingered on the work waiting for her back at the store. Her leg began to bounce. She didn’t have time to
waste on movies she wouldn’t have bothered to watch even if she’d been desperate to relax at home and could find nothing else
to choose from the streaming service.
But Parker was a nice guy, and that’s what she needed in her life—a nice guy, a dependable guy, a sweet guy.
Give him a chance.
She did her best to focus on the movie, and soon enough, it was over. She followed Parker out of the theater and to the sidewalk.
The sky was dark, and the air was cool. Cars motored by on the street, and most of the businesses had flipped their Open signs
to Closed.
“So what did you think of the movie?” Parker asked.
She shrugged. “It was good.”
“You hated it.”
“Well, I didn’t hate it...”
He gently bumped his shoulder against hers, and when she turned toward him, they both started to laugh.
“Okay, okay,” she said. “I didn’t exactly love it, but I didn’t hate it. I guess not all action and adventure movies are my
thing.”
“So what is your thing then?”
“Roller-skating.”
His mouth gaped. “Roller-skating?”
She chuckled again. “Yeah, roller-skating. I teach on Friday and Saturday nights.” She explained how Kayleigh and her husband
had purchased the rink last year, and for some ridiculous reason, she felt the sudden urge to invite him. “Would you like
to join me at the rink tomorrow night?”
“Uh, maybe?” He brushed his hand over the back of his shaggy brown hair.
“Hmm,” she teased. “You sound as excited about skating as I did about the movie.”
“Well, if skating is how I get to spend time with you, then sign me up. Just don’t laugh at me when I fall.”
“I promise I won’t laugh or let you fall.”
“I’m going to hold you to that promise too,” he said.
She nodded, hardly believing she’d just agreed to another date.
***
Hudson jogged across the road toward the site where the old music store building had once stood. He’d been surprised when
Gavin had called him earlier and invited him to stop by and talk business. He couldn’t imagine what the business was, but
his curiosity propelled him down the street, where the streetlights cast a yellow glow, illuminating the dark storefronts
and the sidewalk.
As he sauntered down the sidewalk, he spotted a couple standing between the movie theater and the music store. He went to
step around them, and his eyes locked with Dakota’s. Then he focused on the man standing beside her.
It was the same guy who had barged into her store while she’d been measuring him for his tux. What was his name? He searched
his mind.
Parker.
What a stupid name. Yet there she was with him, and he was beaming at her. It looked like he’d gotten the date she’d promised
him yesterday, and it seemed pretty clear that Dakota wasn’t as single as Layla had insisted.
Well, good for them.
Dakota quickly looked away, and Hudson hurried past them. Then he rushed down the street to the vacant lot, where he found Gavin waiting for him, standing under a streetlight.
“Hud.” Gavin shook his hand. “Thanks for meeting me.”
“Sure thing.” He glanced past Gavin just in time to see Dakota and Parker disappearing down a side street. Once they were
out of his sight, Hudson gave his friend his undivided attention. “What’s up?”
Gavin gestured toward the construction site. “Well, as you can see, the building was demolished earlier this week. Kind of
bad timing though.” He sighed. “A few members of my crew moved on to other jobs, and now I’m shorthanded. Don’t guess you’d
be interested in earning some calluses and messing up those manicured hands while in town, huh?”
Hudson laughed. “Don’t be a jerk.” He pretended to examine his short fingernails. “Not all New Yorkers get weekly manicures,”
he joked. “I’m only going to be here until after Layla’s wedding, but... if you’re really in a bind, I could give it a
try. I think I remember some tricks from when we worked for Mr. Smith. Maybe it’ll help me work out some of this frustration
over my thing with Layla.”
Gavin paused. “Wait, for real? Do you remember how to hold a hammer?”
“Believe it or not, yes.” He struggled not to roll his eyes, but he was quite sure his tone was still a little exasperated.
“Great, great, that’s fine.” Gavin pointed at him and grinned. “You’re pretty smart. I can teach you anything you’ve forgotten.”
Hudson chuckled. “All right. It’s a deal.”
“Fantastic.” Gavin pointed back to the empty lot. “Now, let me tell you about the plans we have for this place. I already
told you it’s going to be a restaurant, right?”
As Gavin talked, Hudson rubbed his hands together. As he considered the work he’d just agreed to, he couldn’t believe how excited he was to get started.
***
Kayleigh gave Dakota a high five the following night. “Great lessons! And we had even more kids join our children’s class.
I’d say that’s a win.”
Dakota glanced around the rink. The place was buzzing with patrons preparing for the all-skate session, which would begin
in five minutes. “I agree.”
Kayleigh scanned the lobby, and her smile faded. “There’s a line at the rental desk. I should go help Brice since Hayley called
in sick tonight.”
“I can pitch in too.”
“Nope. You wait for your date.” Kayleigh bumped Dakota’s shoulder. “I think it’s great that you told Parker to meet you here
tonight. I can’t wait to hear all about it.” She grinned before gliding toward the rental desk.
Dakota pulled out her phone from the back pocket of her jeans just as the DJ’s voice boomed over the speakers.
“Gooooood evening, everyone. Who’s ready for the general skate?”
Cheers went up around the room. A loud bassline began to play, and skaters filed out onto the rink.
“Dakota.”
She turned to see Parker weaving through the crowd on the way to her booth. She stood as he approached. “I’m so glad you made
it.”
“My younger brother loaned me his skates since we’re the same size. It’s been years since I’ve actually worn a pair, so we’ll see how this goes.” He set the pair of worn dark-blue skates on the booth bench before gathering her into his arms for an awkward hug. She patted his back and waited for some kind of spark. Instead, she felt nothing but gratitude for him.
“Are you ready to skate?” she asked him.
“Sure.”
As he pulled on the skates, Dakota hoped she would develop stronger feelings for Parker—and soon.
***
Hudson found his way to the skate rental booth and took his place in line. He glanced around the rink and spotted Dakota skating
hand in hand with that Parker guy. It was bad enough that he’d run into them on the street last night, but now they were together
at the rink. Looked like they were really happy together. And that was just fine with him. Still, his lips tipped down.
But he wasn’t going to allow their presence to stop him from skating. He would enjoy his night at the rink and just ignore
Dakota as she skated with another man.
“What size skates do you need?”
Hudson pivoted toward Brice in the booth. “Hey, Brice. An eleven.”
“No problem.” Brice retrieved the skates while Hudson pulled out his credit card. Then Brice gave Hudson the skates and ran
the card.
“I love what you’ve done to bring the rink back to life.”
Brice handed him a receipt. “Thanks. It’s been a little hectic, but Kayleigh and I are having the time of our lives. Thankfully,
our daughter is crazy about skating too.”
“Coming back here has reminded me how much I used to love to skate.” Hudson slipped the receipt and card into his wallet.
“Glad to hear it. Enjoy your night.”
Hudson carried the skates to a nearby booth and pulled them on before heading out to the rink. He joined the knots of people,
quickly catching up to Gavin and Anissa. Gavin had mentioned in a text earlier that Jeannie was out with her book club tonight,
so the guys were on their own. Hud laughed along with Gavin as Anissa tried her best to show them her tricks.
When Hudson found himself behind Dakota and her guy, he sped up to pass them. Dakota held the man’s arm, and Hud overheard
her trying to give him instructions. He felt his entire body tense. It was clear the man hadn’t skated much and had no idea
what he was doing. That, or he was pretending to need help to have a reason to hold on to her. Either way, what a loser.
When the song ended, the house lights came on.
“Hey there, everyone,” the DJ announced. “Let’s give a warm Flowering Grove Rollerama welcome to the rink owners, Kayleigh,
Brice, and Gigi Hayes.”
The crowd clapped and cheered when Brice, Kayleigh, and Gigi skated out to the center of the rink. Brice held up a microphone,
and Kayleigh stood beside him waving a checkered flag.
“What’s up, y’all?” Brice asked, and the crowd clapped some more. “We’re so glad you’ve joined us tonight. Many of us spent
the better part of our youth here at the rink.” He motioned toward Kayleigh, who beamed at him. “And we loved the roller-skating
competitions we had here, especially the relay races. Since this is family night at the Rollerama, we thought we’d have some
fun.” He scanned the room. “Now, who wants to race?”
More claps and cheers.
Hud folded his arms across his chest. He had won plenty of those races, and so had Dakota. He couldn’t stop himself from turning to where Dakota stood with that guy—the joker who was holding on to her arm and grinning at her.
Hudson gritted his teeth. What did he care if she chose to date a dolt who couldn’t even stand up on his skates?
Kayleigh took the microphone. “The first relay is for girls ten and under.” She pointed to the floor in front of her. “If
you’re ready to show us what you’ve got, line up here.”
More claps sounded as nearly a dozen girls, including Gavin’s daughter, Anissa, came to stand in front of Kayleigh and Brice.
“Let’s hear it for our contenders,” Kayleigh called, and the crowd whistled and cheered. “Okay, ladies. Now I want you to
race as fast as you can around the rink and back here.” She pointed to a line on the floor. “This is the finish line.” She
held up the flag. “Whoever gets here first is the winner and will race the winner from our next group.” She whispered to her
daughter before handing her the microphone.
Gigi held the microphone up to her lips. “Ready... set... go!”
And Kayleigh shook the checkered flag.
A clatter of roller skate wheels blended with cheers as the girls began their journey around the rink. Anissa quickly fell
to the back of the pack. With her adorable little brow furrowed and her tongue sticking out, she raced with all her might.
Hudson’s eyes once again betrayed him, and he found himself watching Dakota instead of the race. She clapped and hopped around
on her skates, cheering on the girls. She was mesmerizing with her sparkling eyes and her thick, dark ponytail bouncing off
her shoulders.
Suddenly, she turned toward Hudson—and when her gaze tangled with his, his breath caught. She nodded a greeting, and he returned
it.
Parker tapped her shoulder. She fixed her dark eyes on him before laughing at something he said, and Hudson’s moment with her was gone.
The racers came around the rink, and a girl with bright-green skates crossed the finish line first. Kayleigh shook the checkered
flag, signaling the end of the race.
“We have a winner,” Brice announced over the roar of the crowd. He beckoned the girl to skate over to him. “What’s your name?”
The girl took deep breaths. “Suzy Darst.”
“Let’s hear it for Suzy Darst and the rest of the young ladies who participated in our first relay!” Brice said.
As the crowd clapped, Anissa skated over to Hudson.
“Did you see me skate, Mr. Hud?” Anissa asked him.
Hudson bent at the waist to talk to her over the claps and whistles. “You did great.”
She beamed. “Thanks.”
A few more races took place before it was the adults’ turn.
“Now,” Kayleigh began, “let’s have our women ages sixteen and older join us in the middle of the rink.”
Several teens and women skated to the other side of the rink and stood on a line.
Kayleigh scanned the crowd and then pointed. “Dakota Jamison, where are you?”
A few people cheered and pointed to where Dakota stood with the guy who couldn’t skate.
“Get over here, Dakota,” Kayleigh ordered.
Dakota shook her head and held up her arms. “Not tonight.”
Kayleigh rested her free hand on her hip. “Why are you saying no?”
“Unfair advantage,” Dakota called back.
“Does anyone else think Dakota has an unfair advantage?” Kayleigh asked the crowd, and laughter broke out around the room.
Brice took the microphone. “I think you need to race, Dakota.”
Parker said something to Dakota, and she smiled before leaving him behind and skating over to join the race.
“All right,” Kayleigh said. “Here comes the legendary Dakota Jamison. I believe you were the champion when we were kids.”
A blush crept up Dakota’s cheeks, and she waved off her best friend. “That was a long time ago.”
Gavin leaned over to Hudson. “And you were the champion of the guys.”
Hudson snorted.
“Well, let’s see who’ll be tonight’s champion,” Kayleigh said. “Line up now, ladies.”
The contenders did as they were told, and Brice took control of the microphone.
“To make this race more challenging, the first to complete two laps will be the winner,” he said.
Brice gave his daughter the microphone, and again she yelled, “Ready... set... go!”
Kayleigh shook the checkered flag, and the women took off around the rink. Dakota was graceful and agile, not showing any
sign of the knee injury she had suffered when she and Hudson collided last week. She swiftly moved to the front of the line
and battled another young woman for the lead.
The crowd cheered when they finished the first lap side by side. Dakota crouched and pumped her arms, her long legs picking
up speed. She shot ahead of the pack, then came around the first curve while the spectators continued to hoot, holler, and
whistle.
Hudson couldn’t help his grin when his ex lengthened her lead, putting a couple seconds between herself and the rest of the
women. She had always amazed him with her athletic prowess. It seemed to come naturally to her, as if she’d been born to skate.
Dakota glided through the next two turns before launching across the finish line, where Kayleigh shook the checkered flag.
Dakota slowed and spun before crossing her arms over her short-sleeved green shirt, then worked to slow her breathing.
“The winner is... my auntie Dakota!” Gigi cried into the microphone, and everyone clapped.
Dakota hugged Gigi and kissed her cheek.
Brice took the microphone. “Let’s hear it for everyone who raced.” He said something to Dakota, and she laughed before he
addressed the crowd again. “Our winner Dakota has earned herself a gift certificate to the snack bar.”
Dakota leaned over and added, “Where else can you find the best pizza ever? Am I right?”
“Thanks for the plug,” Brice told her. “At this time I need all of the men who are sixteen and older to come out here. Whoever
wins this next round will have to race Dakota.”
Anissa pulled on Gavin’s arm. “You need to race, Daddy.”
“No, sweetie.” Gavin shook his head. “I’m not fast enough. Plus, I can’t risk getting hurt and missing work.”
Anissa stuck out her bottom lip. “Pretty please. I was brave enough to race. Aren’t you?”
Hudson snickered. “I think that was a challenge, Gavin.”
“You think that’s funny, huh?” Gavin lifted an eyebrow at Hudson. “Are you brave enough, Hud?”
“Anyone else?” Brice called into the microphone.
“Yes!” Gavin tapped Hudson on the shoulder. “Right here.”
Hudson hesitated but then smiled down at Anissa. He’d always loved skating, and he had to admit, the competition was fun.
“Fine, I’ll do it.”
As he skated off to the starting line, he smiled at the sound of little Anissa cheering him on.