“Hey,” she says, eyes warm.“What are you doing here?”
“Thought you might be hungry.”
Her lips part slightly.“You brought me lunch?”
“Yeah.”
Her client beams.“He’s a keeper.”
Daisy blushes.“Yeah.He is.”
My chest tightens in the best way.
I set the bag on the counter and squeeze her hand gently.“See you tonight?”
She nods.“Definitely.”
I leave, giving her space to work, and drive home.Once there, I decide to clean.Which is hilarious, considering she probably thinks I already do that for fun, but today, it feels different.
I pick up the pillows scattered around the living room, fold the blankets, wipe the counters, and vacuum the hallway rug that Beans claims as his throne.I pause in the kitchen doorway, imagining Daisy sitting at the table in the morning sun, hair messy, humming while she makes coffee.
I could get used to that.
I already have.
When Daisy’s car finally pulls into the drive, I step out onto the porch.She climbs out, dark hair tumbling around her shoulders, eyes sparkling when she spots me.
“Hey,” she breathes.
“Hey.”
Beans bolts past my legs like he’s been shot from a cannon, greeting her as if she’s been gone for a week instead of eight hours.
She bends to rub his ears, looking up at me.“I’m going to shower and change real quick.”
“Take your time,” I say.“We’re not in a rush.”
“Be right back!”she calls as she ducks inside.
I take Beans for a walk, and when we get back, Daisy is coming out of her bedroom.She’s wearing jeans and a soft sweater, cheeks pink, hair falling in loose waves.
I forget how to speak for a second.
“You look…” I swallow.“Beautiful.”
She rolls her eyes, smiling.“You said that last night.”
“I’ll say it every day.”
Her breath hitches.
We drive to Salsa Supreme, and Daisy is absolutely right.The tacos are incredible.She talks animatedly through half the meal about salsa flavor profiles and why cilantro is controversial.I sit and listen like she’s the most fascinating person on earth, because she is.
One truth circles my chest the whole time—I don’t want to go back to base.
For the first time in my life, nothing there feels like home.
Home is Daisy.
