And the dark smoke that puffs out of the exhaust pipe? Another job for a pro. But I do what she asked, keeping my mouth shut about what’s wrong and only focusing on the good. “It’s got power windows.”
“Right?” She beams and nods at my door. “That one is a little wonky, but it still works.”
I press the button for the window and watch as it is, in fact, wonky. It doesn’t go all the way down, and when it stops, it’s at an angle. But she’s right. It works. “Nice,” I say with a smile. One I’m forcing into place.
“The trunk’s roomy too.”
“Ah.” I nod. “Good.” I blink, trying to think of something to say. Finally I ask, “What do you plan to carry around in your trunk?”
She shrugs. “I don’t know. It’s just nice to have the room for whatever.”
“It is.”
And the fact that I’ve got a full-sized SUV in the driveway isn’t a factor, I guess.
But maybe she’s already planning on leaving. She could fit a lot of her belongings in the trunk, if that’s the case.
“Daisy?” I ask as she pulls up to the curb in front of my house.
“Yeah?”
“Are you planning on staying with me?”
“Huh?” She jerks her head to her right to look at me. “What? For now? Or—” She swallows. “—forever?”
“I… I don’t know.” I’m not ready for her to leave.
“I looked at an apartment today.”
“You did?” Where was that, I wonder.
“Yeah. I figured that’d be for the best.”
“I see.” I don’t see, but I’m not sure what else to say.
“You didn’t want me to live with you, did you?”
I don’t reply. What can I say to that?
“Gage?”
“Honestly?” I look over at her. “I don’t knowwhatwe’re doing.”
She reaches for the door handle and pulls. Nothing happens, so she uses her shoulder to force the door open. Before stepping out, she mumbles, “Oh. Right.”
Those are the last two words either of us says until we’re back inside my place. Our silence continues until it’s time for bed. Are we going to sleep together? Should I ask her where she’s sleeping? I listen as she does her nightly routine in the bathroom while I sit on my bed with my door half open. I didn’t want to shut it and make her think I didn’t want her to enter, but I didn’t want to leave it wide open in case... in case she walks past it. Talk about awkward.
When the bathroom door clicks open, I hold my breath. And wait. Her feet pad across the hallway into the spare bedroom, and my heart sinks.
Wow, it hurts.
Choosing to hide my reaction, I slide down beneath my covers and switch off my bedside light. Closing my eyes tight, I try to think about something else rather than the sick feeling in my stomach.
“Gage?” Daisy’s voice is soft. And close.
Clearing my throat, I say, “Yeah?” I turn my body to see her standing next to the bed.
“Do—” She stops. “Do you—”
