If I thought my expression had given me away before, I was wrong. My cheeks are on fire by the time I finish reading, and I’m pretty sure I audibly gasp at the end. I can’t tell them that the last kiss I shared was at my wedding … with Landry. But I can’t lie to them, either. And I have to saysomethingthis time.
“Daisy?” Loren questions me after a second. “You okay?”
“Mm-hmm,” I squeak. “Just thinking about my answer.”
“Do you … have an answer?” she whispers and smiles encouragingly, but I can tell she’s only trying to save me from the embarrassment again.
“Mm-hmm,” I repeat. “I mean, yes, I’ve been kissed before.”
“Oh. Well, if you don’t want to share?—”
“I kissed Landry,” I cringe and blurt out. “Or maybe he kissed me. I’m not sure.”
Loren gasps, and Lilley clicks her tongue before declaring, “Maisgah, look who’s spilling the good tea now.”
CHAPTER 16
daisy
My eyes dart around nervously,and it almost looks like they’re leaning in closer now. “It wasn’t—I mean, it was sort of an accident. I think we both went in for a cheek kiss, and … anyway, I’m sure he didn’t mean for it to happen.”
Phew. Nice save, I tell myself.
“Riiight,” Loren drags the word out, narrowing her eyes at me and stifling a smile. “Then it must have just been an awkward, little peck?”
I bite my lip, trying not to think about the feeling of Landry’s warm mouth covering mine.
“Oh, Daisy, tell me you didn’t make out with my brother,” Loren teases as she bounces up and curls her knees beneath her.
I shake my head quickly, making Charley stir in my arms again. “No, it wasn’t like that.”
“Was there tongue?” Jada asks.
My face heats again, and I nod shyly.
“Then he definitely meant it,” she declares.
But I feel so guilty now. It’s as if I’m misrepresenting Landry since I can’t explain that he only kissed me to make our courthouse wedding look more legit and not because he’s actually into me.
“I think he only went along with it so I wouldn’t feel so bad,” I admit after a while. It’s close enough to the truth. “We’ve already established that he doesn’t see me that way.”
“Daisy, honey, you’re gorgeous. Anyone with eyes would see youthatway,” Lilley corrects me.
I shake my head again. “Not Landry. He thinks of me as Rowan’s little sister, and that’s all. Believe me.”
“Bullshit,” Loren interjects. “I’d bet my last dollar he hasn’t stopped thinking about that kiss since it happened.”
“If he’s thought about it again, it’s only because the whole thing was awkward and embarrassing,” I hold fast. “He certainly hasn’t brought it up or tried to kiss me again, and I’ve given him ample opportunity.”
Loren gasps. “You totally have a Lando crush, don’t you?”
My cheeks burn, but I ignore her accusation. It’s not like I could deny it, even if I wanted to.
“Leave her alone, Lo-Lo. You might not want to hear this, but Landry is a catch. He’s still relatively young and good looking. And heisa doctor—a pediatrician, which means he’s good with kids,” Lilley chimes in, the wine sloshing around inside her glass as she talks.
“But he’s so …Landry.” Loren wrinkles her nose in distaste.
Tenley snorts. “Even I used to think that was a good thing.”
