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drama.” She pushed back, but he gathered her against him, closer this time.
    “Tell me what happened?”
    “Jill called. She’s pregnant and they’re getting married.” Her throat tightened and she fought to not cry. She blinked back the sting behind her eyes and chewed her lip to stop the quiver. Verbalizing the words aloud pained her. Teardrops trickled down her cheeks as a lump formed in her throat. “She called to ask me…”
    Her tears weren’t shed so much for the love she’d lost, but for the friendship that had been ruined along the way.
    Cody tucked her hair behind her ears. “Take your time.”
    “She asked me to be her maid of honor.” She stared at the water and caressed his chest beneath the bubbles with her fingertips. She chuckled at the insanity of the situation—unable to comprehend how Jill had the audacity to make such a request. “Can you believe the nerve of her?”
    “I’m sorry you’re hurting,” he said, with a smirk.
    “You sure have a funny way of showing your sympathy.”
    “If those two idiots hadn’t hooked up, I wouldn’t have met you. That’s why I can’t help but smile.”
    He kissed her nose. “Listen, I wasn’t totally honest about our morning coffee. I didn’t want to run you off by telling you what I was really thinking. Of course, I don’t want the low-cut shirts to change, but I do hope how we interact will be different.”
    “Go on.”
    “First, you need to know you’re the only woman I’ve had here.”
    She raised a brow. “You and Phil have shared guys before?”
    “No. I visit Addison and Lou because they’re my best friends, but I always leave before the party starts.” He chuckled. “I know I’ve told you I wasn’t interested in dating, and I meant it. I’m tired of the games. I never said I’d stopped looking for the one .”
    “So what are you saying?”
    “The search is over for me.” He caressed her cheek with his wet fingers.
    “Really?”
    “Well, well, well. By the smile on your face, Miss Dakota, it looks like a match has been made tonight.”
    Dakota glanced up at Addison squatting beside them. “Did you tell Cody I was coming here tonight to hook up?”
    She laughed. “I mentioned you were coming over. I forgot to mention it was to fix my computer. But I’m glad he misinterpreted and decided to join us. Lou and I were tired of listening to him talk about you all the time. We figured the only way he’d have the balls to show you his feelings was to get you both here and away from that diner.”
    Cody pulled Dakota closer but spoke to Addison. “And that’s why you and Lou are my best friends. Thanks for misleading me. Tonight was exactly what Dakota and I needed.”
    Addison messed his hair before she stood. “You’re welcome. I’ll be watching for our wedding invitation.”
    Dakota opened her mouth, but no words escaped.
    “Surprised?” He kissed her throat.
    “You want to get married?” Her heart raced before she realized what she’d just asked. “That was a question, not a proposal. Had you mentioned marriage to Addison?”
    “Maybe.” He chuckled. “The minute I laid eyes on you, I knew you were different.”
    “What did you say to them?”
    “They were always trying to hook me up, as you can imagine.” His eyes darted to their environment. “I told them if they found and invited a woman like you, then I’d not only go to one of their parties, but I’d actually marry her.”
    Dakota burst out laughing. “So that’s why Addison became my biggest tipper, and now friend.”
    He nodded. “Yes. Now she loves you as much as I do.”
    Dakota’s heart sank into her gut. Did he mean that he loved her literally or was that a figure of speech? Love was a strong word.
    “Yes, Dakota. In case you’re wondering. I’ve fallen in love with you. But with everything you’ve been through, I didn’t want to rush you into something you weren’t ready for. I’d kick myself in the ass if I scared you