But also… kind.And hard-working.
Someone who’s kept a legacy business going on her own.Someone who takes care of an old house, a slightly neurotic dog, and a stubborn best friend who refuses to see a doctor.
Someone who deserves a night out with a guy who looks at her like she hung the moon.
“Okay,” I whisper to my reflection.“Let’s do this.”
I tug my clip out and brush my hair, blow-drying the ends to give them a bit more shape.My hair falls around my shoulders in thick dark waves, and I use the curling iron to touch up a few pieces around my face.
Now for the war: my closet.
I flip through hangers, clothes swishing as I shove them aside.Too casual.Too tight.
My fingers land on a deep green wrap dress hiding at the back.I bought it online a year ago and never wore it because I convinced myself I couldn’t pull it off.
The color matches my eyes, though, and the fabric is soft and drapey, hugging my curves in all the right places.
“Tonight’s the night,” I tell it, yanking it off the hanger.
I slip it on, pulling the wrap ties around my waist.The neckline dips enough to be flirty without the risk of flashing anyone, and the skirt swishes around my knees.I tug at the wrap once, twice, then force myself to stop before I pull it too tight.
A bit of mascara, a swipe of eyeliner, some lip gloss.I add small gold hoops to my ears and slide on a dainty necklace my grandma gave me.
By the time I’m done, my stomach is a knot of nerves and excitement.
I steady myself as a soft knock sounds on the door.
“Daisy?”Ledger’s voice.“We’ve got about ten minutes if you want to head out on time.”
“Coming!”I call, turning back to the mirror one last time.
“This is fine,” I tell my reflection.“It’s fine.Everything’s fine.”
I open the door.
Ledger is standing in the hallway, one hand tucked into his pocket, the other wrapped loosely around his keys.When he sees me, he goes completely still.
“Wow,” he says quietly.
My breath catches.
“You, um… you look really nice,” I mumble.
His gaze travels over me again, slow and appreciative, not lingering anywhere long enough to make me uncomfortable but long enough to make my knees feel like jelly.“You look… beautiful, Daisy.”
There it is again.
Beautiful.
“Thank you,” I whisper.
He clears his throat.“Beans is fed and settled.I let him out back, and he’s already curled up in his bed.I double-checked the back door.”
My heart does a gooey, melty thing.“You didn’t have to do all that.”
“I wanted to,” he says simply.“Ready?”
I nod, grabbing my purse and a light cardigan from the hook.
