Love by Design

“What’s not to love? If the food is anything like the ambience of this place, I’m sure to enjoy it.”

From the moment their food arrived and Dakota took her first bite, she was hooked. She closed her eyes and moaned in delight. “This is incredible.”

“Isn’t it? I try to stop in whenever I’m here.”

Dakota ate everything put in front of her, and even ordered dessert to take back to enjoy later.

“I’ll have to waddle back to the car,” she exclaimed as she stood up.

“Not to worry. I’ll go get the car and bring it to you. I’m sure waddling wouldn’t be your best look.”

She scrunched her nose at him. “I’d make it look glamorous.”

“Uh-uh. That’s not anyone’s best look.”

She waited patiently outside the restaurant while Logan retrieved the car. Once inside, Dakota stretched out in the seat and sighed. “This day has been amazing.” She turned to Logan. “Thank you for taking me.”

He glanced over at her. “You’re welcome.”

She rubbed her stomach. “How can you take it? I’m stuffed.”

“I’m an old pro at it now. When I first tried Miss T’s home-style cooking, I lost my mind. I ordered three entrées and ate every bite. That night I definitely waddled back to the car. I couldn’t move for hours, but it was worth it.”

Logan parked back at the main house, and then walked Dakota to her villa.

“It’s the perfect night for a walk,” she said on a sigh.

“There are many of those. That’s one of the reasons I love this place. The beauty is beyond description. It’s almost unreal how incredible this place is. The people, the scenery, the food—everything.”

Dakota smiled into the darkness. “How poetic. You’re quite the romantic. I bet your girlfriend considers herself very lucky.”

“I’m sure she would…if I had one.”

She turned. “You’re not with anyone? Does your aunt know that? She’s probably itching to fix you up.”

“Constantly.” He chuckled. “She is always on the lookout for my dream date. The Love Broker is relentless.”

“Don’t I know it,” Dakota chimed in. “No is unquestionably not in her vocabulary.”

Logan snorted. “Oh, it’s there…Aunt Jeannie, please stop trying to fix me up. ‘No,’” he mimicked. “Aunt Jeannie, I’m perfectly capable of finding my own dates. ‘No, you’re not. If you were, you’d be on one.’”

She burst out laughing. “You sound just like her.”

“I’ve had plenty of practice,” he said drily.

“And she’s consistent.”

“And she’s consistent,” Logan agreed. “I love her, though, and despite her crazy attempts to set up every single person within a three-mile radius of her house, she means well and just wants to see me happy.”

“A long time ago, so did I,” she confessed. “Now I just want to tie you down and throw eggs at you.”

He stopped walking and faced her. “And I’d deserve every one.”

Dakota gazed into his eyes. Seconds ticked by. “Well, not every one—especially not now. Besides, I could hardly terrorize my client with animal by-products, could I?”

“I guess not.”

They walked in companionable silence. When they reached her cottage, Logan opened the door for her.

“Thank you…for everything today. I had an amazing time.”

“My pleasure. Good night, Koty.”

“You know, that nickname doesn’t annoy me as much as it used to,” she admitted.

Logan grinned. “Progress.”

He went to leave, but she stopped him.

“So where do you stay when you’re here?”

“The villa right behind you.”

Her eyebrows rose. “Seriously? Why didn’t you say something? You’re my neighbor, and I didn’t even know it.”

“I wanted to give you your space. This way, you don’t feel obligated to come over and see me.”

She shook her head. Logan’s teasing reminded her of better times between them. Part of her missed that a lot. “Ah. Good to know.”

She spun on her heel and went inside. She walked straight through to her bedroom without bothering to turn on lights. Instead, she lit a few candles in her room, and took one into the bathroom. Dakota stripped down and took a long shower. When she was done, she put on a sheer nightgown and climbed into bed. She was about to blow out the candle by her bed when her phone chirped. She leaned over to see the screen. It read Sweet dreams.

Logan. She typed out You, too, and then turned it off. You’re supposed to be treating him with cool detachment, and not wishing him pleasant slumber. The truth was, Dakota’s wariness at Logan’s intentions was starting to dissipate. They had found a way to work together, and that courtesy was spilling over into their nonworking relationship. She shook her head when she recalled Logan’s words. “Progress.”