"Knew it," she says confidently. "Thanks for providing us with one hell of a show today."
"You're not horrified your town princess is ending up with me instead of the golden boy?"
Margaret sends me a disapproving look, but her eyes are soft. "I wonder what it will take for you to realize you are one of our own. You were born here, and this was your home for the first thirteen years of your life. You might have lived your teenage years somewhere else, and gone on to be a big, tough man doing big, tough things, but Olive Township is in your blood. The same way you are an integral part of the makings of Olive Township."
I don't know what to say, because it's everything I needed to hear and never would have asked for. To cover up my discomfort (and underlying jubilation), I make a joke. "You are only saying that because I'm supposed to act in the town play, and you don't want me to get cold feet."
Margaret guffaws. "I wish you the very best if that's the course you take. Noelle would happily knee you in the balls."
I make a face at the mention of that tender area being on the receiving end of violence. "Never mind. I'll see you at the play."
"I'll be in the front row," Margaret assures me. "My granddaughter, Lincoln, is the director."
That makes perfect sense.
Margaret ambles away, and Daisy replaces her. "You ready to take me home, Sailor?"
I look around the room. The party is in full swing, everybody eating and drinking. There are furtive glances being sent our way, and plenty of gossip shared around tables. I wouldn't have expected anything less, nor do I anticipate it dying down anytime soon.
"Follow my lead, Sunshine." I head for the kitchen, where I know there is a back entrance, because Hugo mentioned it on one of our phone calls when he was telling me about the design of the new buildings.
Unfortunately, Vivi the Shark is in the kitchen, helping her staff. She glances at the clock on the wall. "You lasted longer than I thought you would."
Daisy laughs, and Vivi pulls her close. "I am so happy for you."
They hug for a few extra seconds, and I say, "That is exactly how I hug Hugo."
Vivi pulls back, leveling me with her serious gaze. "This is the part where I tell you that if you hurt her, I hurt you."
"I think you'd have to get in line," I reply. "Daisy is kind of a big deal around here."
Daisy rolls her eyes, and Vivi is quick to respond. "Believe me when I tell you, I'd be first in line. And you would never see me coming."
I look at Daisy, thumbing at her best friend. "Does Vivi not know I was a SEAL? I've done things I will never be allowed to talk about."
Laughter tugs at Daisy's cheekbones. "Flying fish," she says.
"Never mind. Vivi, your warning has been noted. Bye." I tug Daisy through the stainless steel labyrinth, past the walk-in fridge, and out into the fresh air.
I lean her up against my truck, rake my fingers through her hair until the pins fall and her golden hair tumbles down. She breathes out once, heavy and hard, her hands holding onto my ribs, finding their way to my back. "Take me home, Penn."
Chapter 57
Penn
Homeis Daisy's house.
I pull into the driveway and cut the engine. "Your car was left at Summerhill," I say, not remembering it until this moment.
Daisy's shaking her head, telling me she doesn't care. "I'll get it later. Tomorrow. Next week, next year."
She's crawling over the center console, plunking herself in my lap. "Someone is eager."
"So eager," she murmurs, dragging her lips over my mouth. My head tips up, changing the angle so she can come down over me. She holds my face in her hands, her favorite thing to do it seems, and plants kisses at either corner of my mouth.
My hand searches for the hem of her shirt, but when I can't discover one, I remember she's wearing a dress. I growl, and she hums a contented sound. "You have to start at the bottom."
I reach lower, finding the bottom of her dress and dragging it up over her knees. "Like this?"
