“She is. You’ve got a good picker.”
“If I’m being honest, she picked me.” Daisy can’t take her eyes off the cuteness in front of us. “Crawled right into my lap and fell asleep. It was a done deal after that. I was in love.”
“Well, she’s got great taste.”
She aims her whiskey-colored gaze in my direction. The urge to lean down to kiss her is hard to fight, but somehow, I do. Itold her this wasn’t about us, and I don’t want to blow it now that she’s agreed to help. But she’s right here. And she’s looking at me like I’ve actually done something right, not a hint of annoyance shining back at me.
Clearing her throat, she pulls her phone out of her back pocket and checks the time. “It’s getting late. I'd better get going.”
Damn.
“Sure. Come on, Maui,” I say, patting my leg.
The dog follows us back into the house and races to her pile of dog toys. She selects a stuffed lion and then meets us at the front door. Daisy squats down to give her some love.
“You be good for your daddy. No peeing in the house, okay?”
“Wait one sec.”
Leaving the girls in the entry, I rush to the kitchen to grab the house key I had made for Daisy. Once it’s in my hand, I have a moment of doubt, but I ignore it, forcing myself to head back in their direction.
“Here. This is for you.” I place the four-leaf clover keychain in her hand.
She holds it in front of her face and rolls her eyes. “You knew I would say yes when we walked out of the firehouse that day, didn’t you?”
“I hoped.”
“I should be mad at you, but I love her. Which means I’ll have to put up with you to get to her.”
“Works for me.”
I pick up Maui, so she doesn’t run after Daisy as she crosses the threshold to the front porch. Before she leaves, she turns back to look at us. “Text me and let me know your schedule, and I’ll let you know when I can help. Things are pretty busy with Charlie on leave, but I’ll find the time if you need me.”
“Thanks, Dais.”
She waves, and Maui squirms in my arms, whining after her mama.
“I know, girl. I hate to see her go too.”
Taking a glimpse at the clock on the wall, I’m not surprised to see it’s 10:10. Since Daisy isn’t here to kiss, I place a kiss on Maui’s head and wonder how long it’s gonna take the maddening woman who just walked out my door to figure out this is where she’s meant to be.
Chapter Ten
Daisy
Clover:
I know you didn’t ask for help today, but can I drop by and see Maui?
Swift:
She would love to see you. Fingers crossed you don’t walk into a mess.
Clover:
No big deal if I do. Thanks.
Blondes aren’t usually my type, but when my eyes land on the blonde in the corner booth popping a tater tot in her mouth, nobody has ever looked so beautiful.
