Second Chance on Cypress Lane--Includes a Bonus Novella

by Reese Ryan

  “I appreciate what you’re trying to do, Dakota. I don’t mean to discount your concern in any way. But my family is…my family.” He shrugged. “And if there’s one thing the Robertses are good at, it’s burying our feelings.”

  “Is that why you never told me that you were playing football for your dad, not because you wanted to?”

  “That and I didn’t want you to see me as this pathetic dude desperate for his father’s approval.” Dexter winced, hearing the words out loud. “Enough about me. I’d love to hear some of these grand ideas you’ve been scribbling for the past half hour.” Dexter sipped his coffee, eager to change the subject.

  “They’re still kind of rough.” She ate another forkful.

  “I’ll keep that in mind.” He set his mug on the table and interlocked his fingers.

  Dakota released a nervous sigh, then surveyed her notepad. “The two ideas that I feel most strongly about revolve around creating festivals that would draw people here to the island for a long weekend.”

  “What kind of festivals are we talking? We already have our big Fourth of July Festival and Founders Day,” he reminded her.

  “Which are a big deal locally.” She emphasized the last word. “But neither would draw much of a crowd from outside the island community. And that’s great. We should have events that are just for us. But I’m thinking of events that would put Holly Grove Island on the map as an annual destination. Festivities that would create a broad enough interest to draw people from across the country. Maybe even entice travelers from abroad.”

  “I’m all ears.” He leaned forward a little more, waiting patiently as she finished the last of her meal and pushed her empty bowl aside.

  “The first idea is a jazz festival. I’ve been studying ones around the country and in the Caribbean. They tend to have huge, loyal followings. That would really be to our advantage and would help us build a strong, steady base of repeat guests,” Dakota said.

  “A jazz festival.” Dexter repeated the words as he rubbed his jaw. “That could work. It’d bring in a stream of guests for the resort and for rental owners. Plus, it’d mean a boost to the island’s economy.”

  “Exactly.” Her brown eyes lit up in response to his enthusiasm. “Lila’s Café, the Foxhole, and other local eateries could establish booths. We could also bring in food trucks from Wilmington and a few other nearby locales. And local businesses could set up vendor booths.”

  “It would be a win for everyone.” Dexter shook a finger at her as he reviewed the possibilities in his head. Dakota’s suggestion was a stroke of genius. The kind of endeavor that could put the HGI Resort on the map and help solidify his appointment as director. “That idea is an absolute winner. Let’s begin putting a formal proposal together right away. I know we can fast-track this idea, and I’d like to be able to announce next year’s event within a few weeks.”

  “Shouldn’t we run this by Nick?” she asked. “I mean, I know you’re his boss, but…”

  “This is a hot idea. I don’t want to waste a minute and risk the Pleasure Cove Resort announcing one of their own. So let me worry about Nick.” Dexter tapped out a note on his phone to remind himself to talk to his friend. It was a phenomenal idea. He had no doubt that Nick would be on board with it. “Now, tell me about this other idea.”

  “This one isn’t quite as well defined,” she said. “But I was thinking that maybe we could do some sort of family-oriented festival. Family Fun Weekend, maybe. Our resort is family-oriented, while Pleasure Cove is designed as more of an adult playground. We should use that difference to our advantage. Create a weekend meant to celebrate families. Maybe have a kid-oriented music festival and lots of sports and games designed for extended families. That way we encourage grandparents to come along too, which has the potential to double our bookings.”

  Dexter considered her proposal. “I like the idea of playing off our contrast to Pleasure Cove, rather than trying to compete with them head-on. Let’s table that one for now, but we’ll definitely circle back to it, because I think that one could be a winner, too.”

  “Will do.” Dakota flipped through her pad for a clean page. “Maybe there’s a music festival happening somewhere soon that I could attend to get a better feel for what we want to implement here.”

  Dexter picked up his phone again and scrolled through it. Finally, he came across the item he’d been looking for. “The Newport Jazz Festival is this coming weekend. If there are any tickets and hotel rooms anywhere, my assistant will find them.”

  Her eyes widened. “For me and you?”

  “Yes. Separate rooms, of course,” he added, though that should’ve gone without saying. “Problem?”

  She sank her teeth into her bottom lip and assessed him. “No, but I’m surprised you’re ready to move so quickly on this.”

  “You shouldn’t be. This could be huge. You’ve done great work today, Dakota. So well done.” He scrolled through the apps on his phone and opened his calendar. “The Newport festival is on the weekend, of course. Friday through Sunday. I need to know if you’re in. If so, I’ll have Tiffany begin searching for tickets, flights, and hotel rooms right away.”

  “I’m in.” She sipped her tea and scanned the calendar on her own phone. “My dad’s surgery isn’t until the following week, so the timing is perfect.”

  “Great.” He kept his voice even, careful not to betray the spark of electricity that ran down his spine at the thought of spending the weekend with Dakota. “Ready to head back?”

  Dakota nodded and grabbed her things from the table. But she halted at the sound of a familiar voice.

  “Hello, beautiful! How are you today?”

  Behind the counter, Lila Gayle blushed, then nodded in the direction of their table.

  “Dad?” Dakota made her way toward Oliver. Her head swiveled between her father and Lila Gayle. Both of them wore a guilty expression, like teenagers busted making out under the bleachers.

  “Hey, Kota.” Oliver laughed nervously, wrapping his daughter in a quick hug. “Dexter.” He nodded toward him. “What brings you two here so late in the day?”

  “Lunch.” Dakota folded her arms and stared at her father. “How about you, Dad?”

  “Same.” He took a seat at the counter. “Time got away from me. Didn’t realize how late it had gotten.” He patted his stomach. “You know I shouldn’t go too long without eating.”

  “I made you lunch. Leftovers from dinner, remember?”

  “That’s right. You did.” Oliver took a sip from the glass of water Ms. Lila had set on the counter in front of him. “Guess I forgot. No worries, darlin’. I’ll eat it tomorrow. Promise.”

  “We’d better head back to the office, Dakota. I have a phone call scheduled in less than an hour.” Dexter stood beside her. “It was good to see you, Mr. Jones.” Dexter shook the man’s hand, and Oliver gave him a grateful smile. They exchanged their goodbyes and headed back to Dexter’s truck.

  Dex and Dakota rode the short distance to the resort, mostly in silence.

  “Are you okay, Dakota?” he asked finally, when the resort came into view.

  “Of course. Why wouldn’t I be?”

  “Maybe because you’ve gone into a shell ever since we saw your father at the diner. More specifically, since you overheard him calling Lila Gayle beautiful.”

  “And why should that bother me?” She turned toward him. “It’s true. I’m pretty sure that she and Helen Mirren”—who could practically be the woman’s twin—“are aging in reverse.” Dakota’s tone was bitter. “So why would that possibly bother me?”

  Dexter debated whether he should voice what he’d been thinking. He sucked in a deep breath and hoped he wouldn’t regret what he was about to say. “Isn’t that what your father always called your mother?”

  Dakota frowned, her eyes suddenly misty. A twinge of guilt tugged at Dexter’s chest. He almost regretted bringing it up.

  “I’m fine,” she repeated.

  Dexter
parked the truck, and they both climbed out and entered the building. She turned to him as they approached her department. “Thanks, Dex.”

  “For lunch?” He straightened his tie. “It’s the least I could do after what you did in that meeting today. And your idea for the festival? It’s going to be great for the resort and the town.”

  “For your confidence in me on this project.” She tucked her dark-brown hair behind one ear. “After what happened with my job…” She sighed. “Let’s just say that I really needed a vote of confidence right now, so I appreciate it.”

  “It was well placed.” Dexter patted her shoulder and smiled. Then he made his way to his office to get his assistant started on hunting down tickets, flights, and hotel rooms for the quickly approaching event.

  Planning to spend a long weekend with his ex was either one of the most brilliant or one of the dumbest moves he’d ever made. Right now he wasn’t sure which. He only knew that he looked forward to every moment he’d get to spend with Dakota.

  Chapter Seventeen

  I realize that you two seemed to have called a truce since that night at the club,” Sinclair said. “But I had no idea we were at the spend-the-weekend-out-of-town-together stage in the relationship already. You two move pretty quickly.” Sin poured more of the frozen strawberry daiquiri from a pitcher, topping off both of their glasses.

  “You’re supposed to be helping me pick out my wardrobe for the weekend, not practicing for amateur comedy hour.” Dakota elbowed her friend in the ribs. “And like I told you before, this isn’t a date weekend. It’s a business trip.”

  “Then why aren’t you traveling to this thing with Nick? After all, you work directly for him, not Dex, right?” Sinclair laughed when Dakota gave her the evil eye. “Exactly.”

  “Nick happens to be playing a gig in New Orleans this weekend. He’s filling in for a drummer friend of his who’s getting married,” Dakota said.

  “Whatever you say.” Sinclair sipped her daiquiri. “Those are the pajamas you’re taking?”

  “Yes. What’s wrong with them?” Dakota looked down at the cartoon-character pants she’d just packed in her overnight bag. “No one but me will see them.”

  “I wouldn’t bet on it.” Sinclair rolled her eyes and took another sip of her drink.

  It wasn’t worth debating, so Dakota ignored the implication of Sin’s statement.

  “For a job that Nick and Dexter had to beg you to accept, you certainly seem to be enjoying it.” Sin sprawled on Dakota’s bed beside the overnight bag.

  “I am.” She couldn’t disagree with her friend.

  So far, working at the resort had turned out to be a pleasant surprise. She’d expected to miss the hustle and bustle of the newsroom and doing work that was important and meaningful. Yet working with Nick on marketing for the resort and collaborating with him and Dexter on creating plans that would satisfy the local residents was far more interesting and rewarding than she’d anticipated. And quite frankly, it was fascinating to watch Nick put that sweet-talking Southern charm of his to use for something other than getting groupies to take him home at the end of the night.

  When she’d taken the job, she’d dreaded the idea of seeing Dexter every day. But that night at the Foxhole had shifted her perspective. Or perhaps it was more accurate to say it brought her perspective of him full circle. Reminded her of how kind, thoughtful, and protective he’d always been. Made her appreciate those things about him again.

  And, if she was being honest with herself, maybe a small part of her was excited about spending time with Dexter during this research trip to New England. Not that she would tell Sin that. It would only encourage her.

  “This old town ain’t so bad after all, huh?” Sinclair chided, leaning back on her elbows.

  “Believe me…no one is more surprised than I am by how much I’m enjoying the job so far. But it’s early. Next week I’ll probably be standing around the water cooler bitching about how much I hate my wet-behind-the-ears boss and his full-of-himself superior.” Dakota laughed.

  “Maybe,” Sin said. “Now, can we talk about the fact that you’re going to be spending three whole days with your ex? The man who planned his entire set at the club around songs that mean something to you?”

  Dakota gave her friend a pointed look, then returned to her closet. Sinclair didn’t need to remind her of that night. Dakota hadn’t been able to stop thinking of it. And she often found herself stealing longing glimpses of Dexter ever since. There was a battle raging between her head, her heart, and her body, and her head definitely wasn’t winning.

  “If spending a long weekend with your ultra-fine, super sweet ex doesn’t give you butterflies, you’d better see a doctor, honey. ’Cause I’m pretty sure your heart has turned to stone,” Sinclair said.

  “Of course I’m a little nervous. Which is ridiculous, right?” Dakota sank onto the mattress beside her friend. She tugged her hair over one shoulder. “This is strictly a business trip. He’s obviously not interested in anything more than that, and neither am I. The last thing I need is to get involved with someone else.”

  “Someone else? As in you’re already involved with someone?” Sin raised one eyebrow, her eyes widening.

  “No, of course not.” Dakota’s heart thudded in her chest, the perpetual knot in her gut tightened, and her mouth suddenly went dry. “But I don’t know where I’ll be living three months from now. So starting something here with Dexter—or anyone—what would be the point?”

  “I can respect that.” Sin sat up beside Dakota, her gaze narrowed. “But that doesn’t mean that you aren’t attracted to him.”

  Dakota paced over to the window. What was the point in lying about it? Her friend could read her like a book. “Okay, yeah. I know I shouldn’t be, but…yes, I’m attracted to Dex.”

  “And why shouldn’t you be?” Sin challenged.

  “Because he’s my boss, and because I’ve seen this movie before. It ends with me crying on my front porch in the middle of winter.” Dakota waved a hand. “No thanks. Maya Angelou said ‘When someone shows you who they are, believe them the first time.’ Dex showed me who he was that day. He isn’t someone I can count on in a relationship when things get tough. So getting involved with him again is a mistake I have no intention of making.”

  Sin frowned. “Maybe you’re mistaken about what Dexter’s actions revealed that day. Have the two of you ever discussed what happened?”

  “He’s tried.” Dakota shrugged. “But it’s not a conversation I want to have.”

  “Maybe you should give him a chance to explain himself,” Sin said.

  “Why are you suddenly so invested in me getting with Dex?” Dakota folded her arms. “Back then I had to physically restrain you from going to his house and keying his car.”

  “I—I know. And I was furious with him for breaking my best friend’s heart. But since then I’ve come to realize that he was young and dumb, like we all were back then. He made a mistake, Dakota. A choice that he’s wished he could take back ever since. Besides, everything he’s done since you returned to town…isn’t it obvious how much he cares about you?”

  Dakota didn’t respond.

  She understood the consequences of bad choices more than most. Only she didn’t have the luxury of blaming her youth for her grave mistake.

  “Yes, he’s been thoughtful and helpful,” Dakota agreed. “And was I moved by his performance and him finding your missing-in-action behind at the club that night? Yes. But getting involved with Dexter would be a mistake. My life is already enough of a disaster. I’ll pass on the additional drama.”

  “Okay, so maybe you’re not ready for anything serious right now. Dex was engaged about a year and a half ago. Maybe he’s not ready for anything serious again yet, either. But that doesn’t mean—”

  “Dex was engaged?” It was irrational of her to be surprised and, frankly, a little hurt by the news. After all, he’d broken up with her so he could see other people. But she wa
s.

  Dakota sank onto the mattress again. “Why didn’t they go through with it?”

  It was none of her business, but she couldn’t resist asking.

  “Dexter broke it off with her. His official story is that she’s an amazing woman, but they weren’t a good fit,” Sin said.

  “But?” Dakota turned to face her friend and sat cross-legged, the way they’d sat on those little mats when they were in kindergarten together.

  “I think the real reason he couldn’t go through with marrying her is because she wasn’t you. You’re the one he really wants. Then, now, always.”

  “Did Dex tell you that?” Dakota frowned. Her cheeks were hot, and her pulse raced.

  “He didn’t need to.” Sin shrugged. “And if I had even the slightest doubt in my mind about it before, everything that happened at the Foxhole that night only confirmed it. I said it before, and I’m saying it again. Dexter Roberts is head over heels in love with you, Dakota. And if you weren’t so stubborn, you’d realize that you’re still in love with him, too.”

  Dakota winced, tension spanning her forehead. Her friend seemed determined to torture her with talk of her and Dexter reigniting their past flame. Didn’t she see it was something Dakota clearly didn’t want to talk about? But making a big deal about it would only prove that she was much more sensitive about the subject than she was willing to admit.

  “You’ve had one too many daiquiris.” Dakota trudged back to her closet and grabbed a few more clothing items to stuff into her bag. “Good thing you’re spending the night.”

  “Speaking of which, I’m exhausted. I’m working with residential clients right now who seem determined to see one hundred perfectly good houses before settling on one. I’m meeting them in the morning for round four of our search, so I’d better get some shut-eye or it won’t be so easy to maintain this charming personality.”