Daisy felt her stomach roll because she’d read the book.Several times.And not merely for the plot.“But that’s the kinkiest one.”
She’d never seen that shit-eating grin on her mother’s facebefore.“Like I said, she did an excellent job with it.”
“I know I said I thought it was awesome you and Da still dothose things, but I’m a little disturbed right now.”
Her mother pointed her way like Daisy had made her point.“Exactly how your father is feeling.All I’m trying to say is that your fatherloves you, and he’s doing the best he can.”
“My father doesn’t know me, and I’m not sure he wants to.”Daisy sat back.“I’m very tired of pretending to be something I’m not.I hide alot of myself because I know I can never compete with Aidan.”
Her mother leaned in.“You don’t have to compete with yourbrother.There’s no competition.This is a family not a race.I need you tounderstand I see you, Daisy.I see who you are, and I’m very proud of the youngwoman you’ve become.You don’t have to be a doctor to be a good person.And I’mhappy you’ve explored the world.Your father is worried the world will hurtyou.I happen to know it will happen whether we protect you or not.That’s theway life is, my baby.It’s how we react to the hurt that matters, and you getup every single time.That’s what your dad isn’t taking into account.He’s sobusy trying to pretend you’re perfect he doesn’t see how gloriously beautifulyour imperfections are.Perfect is boring and it’s not real.I’m going to tellyou something I won’t admit to anyone else.I’m worried about Aidan.I’mworried if this thing with Tristan doesn’t work out it will break him becausehe’s never had a damn doubt in his life.But you, my sweet girl, have had allof them, and you keep going.Don’t ever let anyone tell you you’re not thestrong one.You’re more than strong.You sway.It’s the most important thingyou can learn to do.To not let the bad times break you.You bend in the stormand you survive, and when the sun shines again, you are stronger than you werebefore.”Her mother reached out and put a hand over hers.“I don’t worry aboutyou because you are a tree that sways.One day when you have children thosemagnificent branches you’re growing will protect them from the worst of the stormsuntil they’ve learned how to be like their mother.”
Like she had.
Tears pierced her eyes because the words were a balm to hersoul.“You’re really okay with me trying this thing with Nate?”
“Of course I’m okay with it.You fell for a boy.Baby, I didthat, too, and it was the best decision of my life.And no matter what your dasays, it was fast and furious, and I was scared out of my mind,” her mothersaid.“This is when you need to be Daisy O’Donnell.Toss the fear out and dowhat you need to do.”
She wanted to do nothing more.“And if it all goes wrong?”
A smile crossed her mother’s face.“Then you’ll get up offthe floor, dust yourself off, and do what you do magnificently.You’ll tryagain.You’ll do it with a whole heart because nothing can break you.I’llhandle your father.”
“I think it’s going to be harder than it sounds.”Nate stoodin the doorway, another tray in his hands.“Sorry to interrupt but Mum iscooking up a storm, and she asked me to bring these out to you.I think Liamdoesn’t want anyone around his daughter, but he has to see she needs someone.I’m not going to apologize for what happened between me and Daisy, but I willtell you I’m sorry it’s caused a riff.”
“Nathan.”Her mother stood and held her arms open.“I’mhappy you’re here.I’m sorry I didn’t tell you earlier.I was distracted.Ofcourse that’s not entirely my fault.You didn’t come by the house when you gotinto town.”
He shrugged.“Well, if I had, things might not have gone theway they did.”
“Oh, do you mean I wouldn’t have tried to seduce you?”Somehow the minute he was in her presence she felt less guilty, less worried.Being around Nate made her feel more like herself.He centered her and allowedher to be who she truly was.“Because I still would have.I just might have puton a better disguise.”
Her mother chuckled, but her cheeks were stained pink.“Idon’t know if a disguise would work, sweetie.I’m afraid the kink version of amasquerade is like everything else—just play.I’m glad you had fun.I know it’sbeen frustrating for you.”
Beyond frustrating, but mostly because she’d been lookingfor something real.
Nate set the tray on the table.There were two beers on thetray along with cookies and more sandwiches.“Mum hasn’t been able to get intouch with Dad.Any idea what Liam’s planning?”
“My husband is planning on saving his daughter,” her motherexplained.“I believe he’s going to try to find a way to get rid of the head ofthe cartel by starting a war.Yeah.I wish I still didn’t find that sexy.”
“Mum is worried,” Nate said.
“Am not.”Steph Carter stepped out with a bowl of whatlooked like fruit salad.“I would like updates, but I think this could be goodfor Brody.He’s been missing his old job.”
“Well, I’m glad Liam’s not alone.He’ll be a good influenceon Li.Brody is excellent at talking an unreasonable person down,” Avery saidas she looked over the now expansive spread on the table.“You have made enoughto feed a small army.”
Steph shook her head.“Nope.I’m hoping I made enough.Myboy can eat.”
Daisy looked over, and Nate already had a plate piled highwith food.Like more food than she could have imagined.
He flushed and started to put his plate down.
Nothing had changed.She was still all in with this man.Andher mother was right.If the cat was out of the bag, then she was going to beherself.She picked up a cookie and moved over, placing herself right on hislap, her arm going around his shoulders.
Nate’s lips curled up as she put the cookie to them, and heate it up in one bite, gently nipping at her fingers.She lowered her mouth tohis.
“Oh, I… Well, we should probably get used to it since we’restuck here for a couple of days,” Steph said.
Her mother chuckled.“It’s kind of nice to be around younglove.”There was a pause.“Daisy, we are still here.We do not need to seethat.”
It was just a little tongue.“We’re in a club, Mom.”
