“Do you … want me to come with you?” I’m almost breathless as I pose the question. He’s making me an offer that he’s never even extended to Rowan. That has to mean something, doesn’t it?
He turns into the driveway and shrugs before he responds. “I know you miss your family. I don’t want you to cut your time with them short on my account.”
“Okay,” I say. “Thanks for the invitation, though.”
He comes around to open my door, offering to take my heavy bag, and I’m reminded that he’s a nicer person than most of us give him credit for. Maybe that’s all this is. Maybe he’s been right all along—nothing good can come of my attraction to him.
I guess it’s too bad I’m already in love with him.
And since it seems pretty unlikely he’d ever admit it even if he did fall for me, I might as well enjoy this while I can. That’s why I hang back a few steps and allow myself to check out his butt as he climbs the porch steps in front of me.
“Daisy?”
“Hmm?”
He groans. “Don’t do that.” He stops when he gets to the top of the stairs, and I realize he’s watching me over his shoulder.
“Do what?” I squeak.
“Make this any harder than it already is,” he says, his tone sad. Then he cringes, and I have to cover my mouth when I snort.
“Last I checked, there was plenty of fatty tissue there,” I barely manage to get out before the giggling takes over.
“Fine. I walked into that one.” He backs away and gestures for me to go into the house first, stifling a grin of his own.
CHAPTER 34
landry
“Look who showed up after all,”Dr. Broussard says cheerfully when I approach.
“Yeah, well, here I am. Merry Christmas, everyone.” I force a smile and reach out to shake hands with the crowd clustered near one of the tables in the town’s biggest event hall. There are only a couple of rental options for a decent-sized gathering in Camellia, so the group that owns the hospital and its satellite health clinics is hosting their annual Christmas party in the multipurpose building where my sister’s wedding reception was held last month. It’s also the same place that houses the high school prom, the town’s Cajun heritage festival, some of our Mardi Gras festivities, and a small annual rodeo.
Dr. Broussard gestures to a glass of champagne, but I politely decline. I’ve done enough drinking lately to last a while.
“Where’s your sweet, little friend?” Mrs. Broussard asks.
I clear my throat. “Oh, um, Daisy’s at home, getting ready for her teaching certification exam.”
“And I was looking forward to seeing her,” Mrs. Broussard says, sounding genuinely disappointed. As if I wasn’t already feeling bad enough for leaving her at home. “Tell her we wish her good luck on her test.”
I nod politely, thinking I might want a drink after all. I excuse myself to find the open bar and request a plain Sprite. At least it’ll give me something to sip on and hold in my hands.
“Hey, Landry,” Tenley greets me when she and JD approach the bar. She surprises me by pulling me in for a friendly hug.
She steps away, and I stick out my hand before JD can get any funny ideas. He chuckles and shakes it. “You’re good, bro. I’m saving my hug for a rainy day,” he reassures me with a pat on the shoulder.
“Where’s Daisy?” Tenley asks.
I sigh. “At home, studying for her test.”
JD hums in disapproval. “I’m sure she’ll do fine. She’s been preparing for a while. You should get her to take a break and come out with you. I bet she would love this.”
I look away, the guilt making my stomach turn. “Yeah. She would have. But, you know, we’re not …”
“Not what?” He furrows his brow.
The bartender hands over my drink then, and Tenley quietly excuses herself to visit the ladies’ room while JD puts in their order. Then he turns and looks at me expectantly again.
