Needing a distraction, I pick up the dog, holding her while I pet her head. She’s growing too fast. I won’t be able to hold her like this for much longer. However, this is only a thought in the back of my mind. At the forefront is the smartass woman now leaning against the kitchen counter. Her relentless stare says she’s not stupid. She knows why I’m really here.
Of course she does. Daisy knows me better than anyone else. She’s gonna wait me out until I ask, so you know what? Screw it. I’ve been upfront about how I feel. Why stop now?
“So?” I ask.
“So what?” she counters.
“Did you end it?”
“Like I said. Ridiculous.”
“Answer the question, Clover.”
“It’s none of your business.” She sighs as though I exhaust her and marches past me to the fridge.
“Like hell it isn’t.”
Grabbing a pitcher of lemonade, she heads back outside. Maui squirms in my arms, wanting to go with her mommy. I put her down, following them both out back.
“Well, look who’s here. To what do we owe the honor?” Charlie says when she spots me.
“Came to get the dog but thought I would say hi. Looks like I got here just in time for an ice-cold beverage.”
Not waiting for an invitation, I pull up a chair, inserting myself between Charlie, who’s holding a sleeping Gracie, and Ryan.
Ryan fills an empty glass with the sweet drink, leaning in as she does. “The dog. Sure.”
Surprised, I whip my head in her direction. She hides her eyes behind her sunglasses, but when she tilts her head in Daisy’s direction, it’s clear she knows.
Shit. It appears the journalist might see right through my bullshit. This should freak me out, but it doesn’t. I’m not the one who is dead set on keeping things a secret.
Pushing a little further, Ryan speaks to everyone at the table. “Hey, Owen. Give us your take on something.”
“Shoot.”
“Daisy matched with a climber from Colorado, and she’s going to hike Smith Rock with him later this week.” My heart hammers against my rib cage. “We think a remote location for a first date is a little risky. As a man of the law, what do you say?”
“It’s a horrible idea. I would advise against it.”
I would advise against her dating anyone other than me.
“Thank you,” Mia says, pushing on Daisy’s shoulder. “How about meeting up for a drink instead?”
“I’m tired of the same first date over and over again. None of you would understand. You’re all boo’d up.”
There’s a sadness in her voice, but I hardly feel sorry for her. I’ve offered to solve her problem. She wouldn’t have to navigate the dating world if she dropped the stubbornness that’s plagued her most of her life. Besides, she’s only doing this because she’s too chickenshit to face reality.
“Owen is single, and he agrees,” Ryan counters.
“He doesn’t count.”
I don’t find any humor in her reply.
I’m pissed.
“Well, looks like the gang’s all here!” Cal exclaims from behind me.
I stand, offering him my seat next to his wife.
