“Oh, thanks.” I force a smile and take the book she offers. “Can’t wait to get started.”
She lets out a short laugh. It sounds genuine though, despite her stoic look. “Listen, I wanted to say I’m sorry for my shitty attitude yesterday. You and JD caught me at a bad time. But it’s not your fault I was having a horrible day.”
I feel my shoulders relax when I realize she’s saying she doesn’t actually hate me. “Thanks, but no apology necessary. I was having a pretty yucky day myself, so I’m sure I wasn’t?—”
But she cuts me off by throwing her head back and cackling loudly this time. “Oh, stop it. I was a bitch to you, and you know it. But it’s cute that you want to make excuses for me.”
My jaw hangs open, and I blink a few times before I find my voice. “No—no worries. This was really nice of you,” I tell her, holding up the test prep guide. My phone vibrates in my pocket, and although I’d normally ignore it, I figure I’d better not risk upsetting Landry any more than I already have.
“I’m sorry, this is probably my ride home,” I say to Claire before I check the message.
Landry
I’m here.
I glance to the right and see his black Jeep parked against the fence. Then I roll my eyes before punching in an answer.
Daisy
Be there in a second.
I’m still not happy about the way he yelled and stormed out last night in addition to the silent treatment he gave me when he dropped me off at church early this morning. But my options are still limited for now.
“You don’t drive?” she asks as I struggle to put my phone away. Then she sighs and plucks it from my hands, turns it and uses my face to unlock it, punches in her contact information, and send herself a text, all before she slips it into my cardigan pocket.
“Oh, thanks. Um, no, not right now. It’s a long story. But my roommate’s helping me out for a while.”
“Don’t you live in Loren’s old house?”
I nod.
“I pass right by your place every day. I can give you a ride whenever you need. Just call me.” She frowns harder, despite the kind offer she’s extending.
“Wow, that’s really nice of you. Thanks,” I say, trying to hide my surprise.
“It’s nothing,” she replies with a shrug. “That your roommate?” she asks when she sees my eyes darting nervously to Landry’s car.
“Yeah. I’m sorry if I seem distracted. He can be a little impatient?—”
“Isn’t that Loren’s brother?” She squints at the Jeep and shields her eyes from the sun to get a better look. “Damn. Nice job, sis. He’s pretty hot.”
I snort out a laugh. “He’s definitely both of those things, and he’s a doctor. But we’re just friends.”
“You’re friends … with that guy? Isn’t he, like, a total dick?”
“Nottotally.” She shoots me a skeptical glare. “He and my brother were college roommates, so he’s actually been really nice to me,” I say with a shrug.
“I’d probably find an excuse to accidentally walk in on him in the shower. Just sayin’. If you have to put up with his douchey ass, might as well make it worth your while.”
I chuckle. “Not a bad idea.” My phone chimes again, and I groan.
“Good luck with that, then,” she offers, patting me on the shoulder. “See ya ‘round, Daisy.”
“Thanks. See you around, Claire.” I grin as I make my way to Landry, my smile fading when I see the disgruntled frown he’s sporting.
“Thanks for waiting,” I mumble as I buckle my seatbelt. All he offers is a grunt in response, so I guess he’s picking up where we left off this morning.
We drive home in silence, and he has the audacity to come around and grab one of the bags from my shoulder when I step out of the car. I shoot him the angriest glare I can muster, but I can see the remorse in his eyes before he turns and leads me into the house. I drop my things in the living room before marching out the front door to pick up my watering can.
