I can imagine.
Despite us sharing this house and property, I’m going to have to make the boundaries between us very clear.
I watch her walk away, her hips swaying in a way that I absolutely should not notice.
CHAPTER 7
Daisy
(TEN YEARS AGO)
Dear Diary,
I can’t believe this is my life. It’s been a week since I first ran away, and I’m living in a mansion with Chase, Sebastian Blake, and Ryder Black. I was nervous that Chase wouldn’t remember me. That he would have changed. But he knew me right away, and he’s the same amazing big brother that he was four years ago.
He suggested we call social services. But I told him if he did, I’d only run away again. I wasn’t going back home, and I wasn’t getting put in the system. So he let me stay with him until he can figure out something more permanent.
He’s not around much anyway. Chase has been working long hours finishing a movie. To keep me occupied, he had a sewing machine and all the fabric, patterns, and accessories I might want brought to the house. I’ve been teaching myselfhow to design clothes. But even with that, I’m bored and lonely.
Sebastian’s always out doing who knows what, so it’s usually just Ryder here. He’s busy trying to write his next album. He’s not at all what I imagined. Sure, he’s hot and talented. He has tattoos, and his casual style exudes sex and rock and roll. But he’s not the wild musician I pictured.
He’s more than that. He’s got a sense of humor that you might miss if you’re not paying attention. We’re both fierce pool players. We love watching scary movies and creating things. He’s becoming a friend.
(NOW)
“Emma, what the hell? Why didn’t you tell me this was Ryder’s house?” I conclude the story about my impromptu meeting with Ryder as I drag Archie up the giant hill to the mansion. I’m already huffing.
Emma’s peal of laughter erupts from the other end of the phone. “I can’t believe he showed up. And Mr. Rock Star almost got taken out by a tiny dog. I wish I’d been there to see it.”
“This isn’t funny. And you’re not answering my question. Why didn’t you tell me? I thought you were my friend.”
“I am your friend. Which is why I didn’t tell you. The pet-sitting gig solved your problems. You had a place to live. Money coming in. And you could take the summer to reassess what to do next. If I told you it was Ryder’s place, would you have taken it?”
“No,” I say in a small voice. I would’ve been too embarrassed to ask him for a job, to admit that I’d had to close my business. I want him to see me as a grown-up, as someone strong and alluring. Being jobless doesn’t fit into that picture.
“That’s because you’re too damn stubborn for your own good. And you would have considered the job a favor, which it isn’t. Ryder needed someone to watch his dog. And you needed a place to regroup. Win-win. I didn’t think he’d show up at the house. It wasn’t on his schedule.”
“Well, he’s here now,” I say. “And I’m not so sure he’s happy to see me. He still thinks I’m a kid. I might as well be wearing pigtails or braids.” And then a horrible thought strikes me. “Oh shit, Iamwearing braids.”
“I’ve seen you in braids. You don’t look like a child. But it’s not like you to back away from a challenge. You said you wanted Ryder to see you in a fresh light. Well, for the first time, you have him all to yourself. Your past visits to LA don’t count. Everyone was always around at the mansion, including your overprotective brother. This is the perfect opportunity to change his view of you.”
“Hmm,” I say. “You’re still on my hit list for not telling me who I was working for. But you’re probably right. And how did you even have time to be an assistant to Ryder? Don’t Sebastian and Chase keep you busy enough?”
“I didn’t do much. I just filled in until he found someone more permanent. And honestly? I prefer to keep busy and branch out. I’m not cut out to be at Sebastian’s beck and call twenty-four hours a day.”
“Does Sebastian know that?”
“He will. Soon enough,” Emma says darkly.
“I want to be a fly on the wall for that conversation.” I laugh. “I gotta go. I’m almost home.”
“Okay, just think about what I said.”
As I hang up with Emma, I realize she’s right. I need to stop wallowing. My career imploded, but I still have another long-held dream: to make Ryder fall for me. Maybe I can pause my job worries for the summer and throw myself into Project Ryder.
This is fate that he and I are stuck together for the next few weeks.
Well, fate and Emma. Close enough.
