Second Chance on Cypress Lane--Includes a Bonus Novella

by Reese Ryan

  “I wanted to take my best friend, who I’ve really missed, out for a fun night on the town.” Sin finally nibbled on her fried green tomato. “Don’t tell me you’re not enjoying it.”

  Dakota exhaled softly, her attention drifting to Dexter onstage again. “I am. And maybe you’re right. Maybe I should get out more often. Now that I’m working at the resort, I don’t have much of a choice.”

  “It’s for your own good.” Sin squeezed her hand. The candlelight was reflected in her hazel eyes. They both returned their attention to the stage as the song ended and the club filled with thunderous applause.

  Dakota couldn’t help clapping, too. The band was amazing—especially Nick and Dex. She still couldn’t get over the fact that the two of them were such exceptional musicians.

  She’d been so busy with her own life and pursuing her own dreams that she’d completely disconnected from this place. From all of the people she’d known here. Good people who’d always cared for her, supported her, believed in her.

  Dakota’s gaze drifted to her friend, who watched the stage intently. Sin was a ride-or-die kind of friend. The one who offered a shoulder to cry on but was also ready to take off her earrings and heels and brandish a baseball bat if the situation called for it.

  Sinclair had welcomed her home and resumed their friendship, despite how hurt she’d been by Dakota pulling away after she’d moved to New York. Her friend had been willing to put aside any resentment because Dakota needed her.

  Sin was a better friend than she deserved.

  The realization made Dakota’s eyes burn with tears. She was glad that she and Sin had talked on the way here. That she’d given her friend the apology she deserved.

  Dakota hugged her friend, seated beside her at the table. “Thanks for getting me out of the house tonight, Sin. I needed this.”

  “I knew you did.” Sinclair nodded toward the stage. “Listen to Dex. He ain’t just playin’ that thing. He’s makin’ love to it, and just about every other girl here is wishing he’d make love to her like that, too.” She shuddered and took a sip of her cosmo. “I wish I had a man who knew how to blow an instrument like that.”

  “Sin!” Dakota’s censure came out louder than she’d intended, but no one seemed to notice. They were all too taken with the band.

  Her friend giggled and held up a hand. “Easy, tiger. I’m not talking about your man in particular. I meant in general.”

  Dakota took a sip of her drink and watched Dexter as he played the instrument, his eyes closed, seemingly lost in the evocative melody.

  She was behaving irrationally. Still, she couldn’t help feeling a sense of possessiveness over Dexter. It was an odd dance: the push and pull of the past and the present.

  For the past seventeen years, Dexter had been firmly lodged in her brain as the villain who’d callously broken her heart. But each encounter she’d had with Dexter since her return to Holly Grove Island had reminded her of all the reasons she’d once adored him.

  He’d been the star quarterback of their high school football team. But Dexter hadn’t been the stereotypical jock. He was confident without being arrogant. Athletic, but also studious. Dex was the strong, silent type. Pensive and observant. But once he’d gotten to know someone, he would open up to them. He was protective of her and his younger siblings. Loyal to his small group of friends. And he adored his mother.

  She honestly couldn’t help falling in love with him.

  But that was why his abrupt insistence that he no longer wanted to be locked into an exclusive relationship had been so unlike him. It was the opposite of every promise he’d made to her during their two years together.

  I will always love you, Dakota. No matter what we do or where our lives take us.

  It was a promise they’d made to each other. Yes, they’d been young. Their parents had often warned them that they were too young to know what love really was.

  Still, she’d meant every word. Dexter obviously hadn’t.

  Dakota tore her attention from Dexter and nodded toward Nick. “I remember Nick banging on those drums next door all the time as a kid,” Dakota said. “It drove my dad insane. He was thrilled when Nick finally went off to college.”

  “I remember.” Sin laughed. “Apparently it paid off. Nicky played paid gigs as a side hustle while he attended school in Louisiana. Em says he played a little of everything. Jazz, rock, hip-hop. But he fell in love with jazz. Apparently, he was in demand on the local music scene.”

  “Nick’s awfully good. I’m surprised he didn’t pursue it,” Dakota said, over Nick’s drum solo. His hands were a blur, and he played with so much energy.

  “He did for a while. In Vegas, LA, and New York. He lived hard and fast for a few years. I think the life was a bit much for him.” A sad look crept across Sin’s face, but then she forced a smile. “So he came back home. Dex gave him a job at the hotel in Myrtle Beach, and he’s worked his way up the ladder.”

  Dakota wanted to ask what it was that Sin wasn’t saying, but the song ended on a crash of Nick’s cymbals and the entire crowd erupted in applause. When she looked up at the stage, Dex was staring at her. His sexy, one-sided grin made her heart flutter and evoked happier memories.

  There was something hypnotic about that smile. He’d always had a way of making her feel it belonged to her and no one else. And his stare. Holy hell. Had someone suddenly turned on a four-hundred-watt lightbulb? Her skin was warm, and she could barely breathe.

  She turned toward Sin instead. Her friend grinned like the cat that stole the canary and ate it for lunch with a side of biscuits and gravy.

  “What?” Dakota fiddled with her bracelet, a graduation gift from her mother.

  “Looks like Nicky and Em aren’t the only folks around here in complete denial.” Sin hiked a brow, her mouth twisted.

  Dakota pointed a finger at her friend to object to her statement, but the bassist played the familiar opening chords of another of her favorite songs, drawing her attention.

  Dexter stepped into the spotlight at the center of the small stage. Eyes closed, he played the soulful notes she’d recognize anywhere.

  “‘Cupid,’” Dakota whispered beneath her breath.

  Sinclair listened intently; then a dreamy smile lit her face. “Yes! You listened to that song so much it drove us all crazy. He’s playing it just for you, Dakota. God, that is so sweet.”

  Dakota swallowed hard, trying to dismiss the nostalgic memories of the summer she’d fallen in love with that song by the group 112. She’d played it so often that her parents and Sin hated it and Dexter complained that he heard the song in his sleep.

  She tried to push down the unsettling cocktail of emotions that bubbled in her chest as Dexter played every note with so much passion. The song had always reminded her of how Dexter had first professed his love for her. He’d been so nervous and unsure, but also incredibly sweet and sincere. Even now it moved her.

  Dakota smiled involuntarily at the memory, but quickly dismissed it.

  “Dex isn’t playing the song for me. He’s playing it for the audience.” Dakota gestured to the people around them. “Because it happens to be a great song.”

  But when she glanced up and his eyes met hers, she realized that what Sin said was true. He was playing the song for her. Speaking to her through the ballad that had always meant so much to her, as he once had.

  They were playing an instrumental version of the song, but Dakota remembered the lyrics word-for-word. In the song, the man pleaded with his love interest to believe his genuine declaration of love and trust that if they took that leap of faith, their love would work out.

  Dakota’s eyes drifted closed, and she could almost feel Dexter’s arms around her waist, her cheek pressed to his chest as he sang the words softly in her ear. The love and affection she’d felt for him in that perfect moment came rushing back with the force of a rapidly moving stream.

  A knot churned in her belly, and her chest ached at the bittersweet me
mory.

  “Sweetie, are you okay?” Sinclair touched her arm, her voice heavy with concern.

  “Yes, of course.” Dakota forced a smile. “Why?”

  Sinclair trailed two fingers down one side of her face.

  Dakota touched her cheek, gasping with surprise when she found it wet with tears. Her face heated with embarrassment. Had she honestly been sitting here crying?

  “I’m fine. I just need some fresh air.” Dakota forced a smile to reassure her friend. Then she grabbed her purse and excused herself from the table, making her way toward the exit.

  She stepped out into the chillier night air. It was a relief against her heated skin; her face and chest burned with intense embarrassment. How could she have let herself get so wrapped up in the past that she’d shed actual tears right there in the club? In front of everyone?

  Dakota took a deep breath, inhaling the salty breeze blowing off the Atlantic Ocean. The wind rustled her hair, blowing it across her face.

  A sudden hand on her shoulder startled her. She whipped around.

  “Sin. God, you scared me.” Dakota splayed her fingers against her chest.

  “Sorry, sweetie. I didn’t mean to startle you, but I needed to make sure you’re all right.”

  “I’m fine. Embarrassed, that’s all.” Dakota brushed her fingertips over her cheek.

  “Don’t be. The room is dim. The audience was watching the stage. And Dex and the band are completely absorbed with their performances.” Sin ticked each reason off on her fingers. “I doubt anyone else in the room even noticed a few tears.”

  “Two drinks in, and I’m a mess.” Dakota swiped a finger beneath one eye.

  She’d been overwrought with emotion and nostalgic about the past. Being at the Foxhole tonight had made her realize how much she’d missed her close friendship with Sin. And that some small part of her still missed Dex. Pining for Dex was foolish. Regardless of his sweet, sentimental display tonight, the truth was, when it counted, Dex had let her down. She’d believed that he loved her. Had been willing to defer her own dreams to be with him as she supported his. But he’d flatly rejected her.

  That was all she really needed to remember about Dexter Roberts.

  “It must be overwhelming for you to be back here after all this time. You’ve been through a lot…losing your job, I mean.” Sin lowered her gaze and tucked a few strands of her ombre-blond hair behind her ear. “This is your first time being back home since you lost your mom. It’s a lot to deal with. It’s only natural that you’d feel some kind of way about everything that’s going on. You’ve held up remarkably well, considering.”

  Dakota drew in a shaky breath and nodded. She hugged Sin. “You’re a better friend than I deserve. Thank you for not giving up on me.”

  “I can’t afford to abandon my best friend. I can be a lot, and not everybody has the constitution to put up with all of this.” Sin rubbed Dakota’s back. “Why do you think I’m still single?”

  Before Dakota could disagree, they were both startled by the door crashing open.

  “Dakota, are you all right?” Dexter’s chest heaved as if he’d run the entire way.

  “Dexter?” Dakota blinked. For a moment she wondered if she was imagining him standing there. But Sinclair looked just as stunned to see him. “What on earth are you doing here? You’re supposed to be onstage right now.”

  “We took a quick, unscheduled break.” He waved off her concerns. “I had to make sure you were okay. I thought you’d like hearing our rendition of your favorite songs. I’d never have arranged for us to play them if I thought for a moment that it would upset you.”

  “So you were expecting me to be here tonight?” Dakota glared in her friend’s direction. She’d suspected as much.

  “Guess that’s my cue to leave.” Sin hugged Dakota again, whispering in her ear, “This man is keeping an entire club full of half-drunk folks waiting, because he was worried about you. He obviously still cares an awful lot about you, too.”

  Sin patted Dexter’s arm on her way back inside the club.

  Dakota and Dexter stood outside the club’s entrance, their eyes meeting in an awkward dance. He shoved his hands in his pockets and moved a few steps closer.

  “I’m sorry, Dakota. The last thing I wanted was to upset you. That certainly isn’t why I arranged for us to play those songs,” he said.

  “Why did you play them, Dexter?” It was the question that had been burning in her brain from the moment she realized he was playing “Cupid” for her. “What did you hope it would accomplish?”

  He dropped his gaze, sighing heavily before meeting her eyes again. “I won’t lie. I’d hoped that…” He frowned deeply, letting the words die on his lips.

  He didn’t need to finish them. His song choice and performance made it clear that he’d hoped to reignite things between them.

  “I updated the set with those songs right after I saw you at the Fourth of July Festival. Before my promotion and before you accepted the job.” Dexter ran a hand over his stubbled chin. “Obviously, as of today, the circumstances have changed. I was so preoccupied with everything going on today that I didn’t even consider changing the set list.”

  “Dex, there you are.” Nick popped his head outside. “We have to get started up again soon.” His tone was urgent, but the look he gave them both was apologetic.

  “I’ll be right in, Nick. I promise. Give me two minutes.” Dexter turned to her once Nick had gone back inside. He hiked a thumb over his shoulder. “I’m sorry, Dakota. I’d love to finish this conversation now, but I really need to—”

  “Go. I don’t want to be the reason your club full of adoring fans starts to riot,” she said, only half-teasing. “You’re incredibly good, by the way.”

  “Thanks.” Worry lines were etched into the space between his thick, neat brows—a feature of his face she’d always loved. “And you’re sure you’re good?”

  “I will be.” She forced a pained smile. “Thank you for checking on me, and for the songs. It was a sweet gesture. But maybe it’s better if we don’t revisit the past.”

  “Maybe you’re right.” He shrugged, a pained look in his dark eyes. “But I’m still really glad you’re here.”

  Her belly fluttered as she watched him turn and jog back inside. Dakota’s head reeled with thoughts she shouldn’t be having about her ex, who was now also her boss, once removed.

  She appreciated Dexter’s concern and the time and effort he’d put into arranging this thoughtful surprise. But any feelings of attraction or affection evoked by nostalgia or a sense of gratitude were best shoved back into the little box from which they came and buried deep.

  He was a colleague, a fellow islander, and maybe someday they’d manage to be friends again. But the little voice in her head that wondered, even for a moment, if there was the possibility of them becoming anything more was a recipe for disaster.

  She’d come back home to regroup while she took care of her father and strategized her next move. It would be hard enough walking away from Sin and her dad again. Dakota didn’t need any more reasons to get attached to life on Holly Grove Island.

  She wrapped her arms around herself and waited until the music started again before she made her way back inside.

  Chapter Fourteen

  Admittedly, Sin had dragged Dakota to the Foxhole kicking and screaming. But for the first time since she’d returned home, she felt like she’d been able to let loose, shut off her brain, and have some fun.

  Of course, the three cocktails she’d had probably had a little to do with it.

  Still, the music was phenomenal, and the atmosphere of the revamped space was lively, yet intimate. She hadn’t laughed this hard in months. Her legs were tired from dancing. Dakota hadn’t intended to get out on the floor, but the older man they’d befriended at the next table had convinced her to join him. She’d relaxed and had a little fun. Ten minutes later, her gorgeous shoes were tucked under the table and she was dancing with so
meone else. It seemed as if she’d danced with just about every unattached man there, except for the members of the band.

  The band took a break, and she was thrilled to finally get off her feet. She collapsed onto the chair next to Sinclair, both of them giggling.

  “You must be exhausted,” Sin teased. “But you look happy. In fact, that’s the biggest smile I’ve seen on your face since you’ve been home.”

  “I know.” Dakota nodded gratefully. “Thank you for tonight. You have no idea how much I needed it.”

  Sin’s expression indicated that there was something she wanted to say, but then she decided against it. “I’m glad I could help you out, Twinkle Toes. And you know I’m always here if you need me. For anything. No matter what it is. Seriously.”

  “I appreciate that, Sin.” Dakota felt like a liar, keeping the truth from Sin and her dad. But she still wasn’t ready to talk about what a fool she’d been. She’d sabotaged her entire career over a hot Italian man whose warm brown eyes and thick accent had turned her brain to mush. Dakota reached under the table for her shoes and strapped them on. “I’m going to the powder room.”

  “Okay,” Sin said, in a tone meant to remind her that they’d revisit the subject.

  It was an olive branch that Dakota would eventually accept, but not tonight. Tonight she felt amazing, and she wanted to keep floating in this warm, happy bubble.

  “Should I order more drinks?” Sin asked gleefully.

  “Maybe we should switch to food for a while. Why don’t you put in an order of fried calamari? Put it on my bill.”

  “Tonight is my treat, remember?” Sin’s words were slightly slurred.