“Thought you might be into that kinda thing.”
He groans. “That better be the fever talking.”
“If I agree, will you kiss me and make it better?”
“Stop flirting and go to sleep.”
“Fine.” He can’t stop me from grinning at him in the dark though. “Happy Thanksgiving, Landry.”
“Happy Thanksgiving.”
We’re both quiet after that, and although I don’t remember drifting off to sleep, I wake a few hours later to find myself snuggled up to Landry’s chest, that extra pillow lying on the ground beside him.
CHAPTER 31
landry
“You should get downwith me. I mean, if you want,” Daisy offers quietly as I drive up to her coworker’s house. Festive lights and decorations line the path from the driveway to the back of the house, and I can hear faint Christmas music from the car.
I smile. “I’m not a Camellia High faculty member.”
“As the husband of a faculty member, you’re entitled to be my date.”
“I’m not the kind of husband that’s entitled to anything,” I correct her, but I try to keep my expression light to avoid hurting her feelings again. Although, I might need the reminder more than she does.
Things have felt different between Daisy and me for the past few weeks or so. I thought we’d hit a sweet spot in our relationship where we could live comfortably and platonically until it was time for our annulment. But ever since we got sick together and I had to let Daisy doctor me up, her confidence has grown around me. Not that it’s a bad thing—I’m proud of her. It honestly warms my heart to see Daisy maturing into this more capable, self-assured version of herself. But the way she’s started cracking suggestive jokes at my expense and making it seem likeshe’sthe one taking care ofmeis becoming somewhat problematic. It’s like we’ve swapped roles, and now I’m the awkward one around the house. It’s also getting harder to keep myself from seeing her as the competent adult she’s obviously become, and I’m afraid it’ll only take one more crack in the mental fortress I’ve built around “Potentially Attractive Adult Daisy” for the whole damn thing to come crashing down.
“I don’t meanthatkind of date,” she mumbles, bringing me back. “But Mrs. Julie said we could each bring a guest. And there will be plenty of food. You might as well get a free meal for your trouble.”
I shake my head. “I’m good, thanks. You go have a fun time. Just call me when you’re ready.”
Her shoulders droop. “I’d probably have more fun if I didn’t have to walk in alone or feel guilty about making you drive back to pick me up later.”
“Maybe you could ask Blake or JD for a ride home,” I suggest, but she frowns. “I’m not even dressed for a party.”
“It’s casual. Just take off your tie.”
She sticks out her bottom lip in a pout, preparing to give me that look—the one she knows I can’t refuse.
Aaaand … yep. There it is.
“Just for a minute? Pleeease?” She looks up at me from beneath her lashes. “It’s not like I can go out and find a real date, you know?”
I heave out a sigh. Why am I such a sucker? What happened to my resolve, my fortitude, my freaking backbone?
She blinks at me again, and there’s more determination in her big green eyes than I have in my whole body.
“A minute. That’s all.”
She lets out one of her trademark squeals while her face breaks out into an ear-splitting grin, and I’m overcome with an unexpected spark of attraction. I look away quickly, pretending to concern myself with my tie, but she rises to her knees and leans over to loosen it for me.
“You need this, Doc. It’ll get you into the Christmas spirit. And since you aren’t having a holiday party at work …”
I clear my throat. “Actually, there’s a big hospital party this weekend. I just hadn’t planned on going.”
“Why not?” she frowns and drags my tie out from my collar.
“I, uh … I didn’t want to go alone either, I guess.” I wasn’t planning on admitting that to anyone, but I need a distraction from the feeling of Daisy’s fingers moving deftly over the buttons at my neck.
