I look between all their smiling faces. “So what happened next?” I ask eagerly.
Carla grins. “Your grandfather worked in landscaping after school. So he bought as many daisies as he could afford, and instead of simply giving her a bouquet of flowers that would die within a week, he planted them along the path from their house to their school. So your grandmother and her parents would walk by daisies,herfavorite flower, every single day.”
Luke stills behind me, and my nails dig into his forearms across my stomach.
“Your mother loved her parents’ love story. So much that she named you Daisy. She never found a love like that but wishedit for her baby girl so strongly. She named you after the one act that brought her parents together, which led to her, which led to you.”
They all laugh at my shocked expression, not knowing that I’m reliving the visions of that moment in Luke’s driveway. The thousands of daisies he planted himself. But instead of doing it with the intention of winning my heart, he did it thinking he would never have it. And now having heard this story, there is one thing I know for certain.
Luke is my soulmate.
And if I dare dream a little too hard, I’ll allow myself to believe that maybe my mother hand picked him for me.
forty-five
The last two dayshave been emotionally taxing.
While I’ve enjoyed getting to know my mother through the eyes of those who knew her best, I’ve also had to come to terms with the reality of who my father really is.
For so long I made excuses on his behalf.
I knew students at my boarding school who never spoke to their fathers or were disowned by their parents, and I told myself that I could have had it far worse. That at the very least, my dad made sure to set me up with a good education.
But that farce ended after our surprise guests left and an emotionally drained Nick informed me that all the funds that paid for our education and care came from my mother’s life insurance policy. Her will demanded it.
I was already set to walk away from my father after finding out he’d kept my mother’s loved ones away from us at a time we needed them most. But the fact that he spent my entire lifeboasting about providing financially for his children, as if he deserved some kind of medal for it, strengthened my resolve.
Our dinner is tonight, and I decided that I needed a final face-to-face conversation to end our relationship.
He picked an overpriced steakhouse in the heart of midtown, a place where people love to be seen, as the spot for us to have our long overdue heart to heart. Because of course he did.
Which is exactly why I washed and diffused my hair today, giving my long curls an extra bit of bounce, and threw on one of the coziest outfits Luke bought for me back when we were hiding up north. A cream cropped T-shirt and lounge pant set, oversized brown cardigan, and for sentimental value, my white Converses. Which Luke now lovingly refers to as my “runaway” shoes.
I do my makeup nicely, and while my clothes are cute and trendy, I am very much underdressed for this restaurant, which is exactly what I planned.
I beat the doorman to the door and salute him on my way in. I breeze by the hostess stand since I spotted my father as soon as I walked in. I honestly could have guessed that he’d pick the center table, knowing that the man loves an audience, which is exactly why this short but sweet meeting is going to be so satisfying.
“Oh, hey there, Dad.” I plonk down into the chair across from him.
His jaw drops as he blinks repeatedly. Confusion quickly transforms into embarrassment. “For the love of God, Daisy. This is a fine establishment. What are you—”
“Hmm, it is nice. Maybe Nick will buy it for Luisa. Although I am much fonder of the last bar he bought for her.”
His lip curls at the mention of my brother. He’s never been able to hide his envy for his biological son and the way he has far surpassed him in wealth and success. Something I’ve alwaystiptoed around, wanting to keep the peace between the two men in my life.
Lovely how I won’t have to do that anymore.
“Daisy, I don’t know what has gotten into you lately, but luckily, there is still a chance for you to right your wrongs.”
I wait for it. That twinge of guilt that’ll send me backsliding into being my father’s perfect little people pleaser.
And a wide grin overtakes my face when I realize… it’s finally gone.
A waiter comes by our table, lifting the bottle of wine that’s been decanting at my father’s side to pour into my glass. My hand covers the wineglass before he has a chance to continue. “Actually, I’ll have a Coke.”
The waiter nods and scurries off.
“A-a Coke? Daisy, this is a two-hundred-dollar bottle of wine. Soda is for children with poor dental care. And you are a woman of societ—”
