Chapter Eight
Daisy-Mae
After another longday at the Bed and Breakfast, my ankles and back are killing me, and I’m just about ready for bed.Every day I feel more and more ...fluffy, and the waddle has become so bad that I’m pretty sure you could dress me in a tux, set me down in the Antarctic, and penguins would be tossing pebbles at my feet.I am one fat-assed penguin, right now.
I laugh out loud at the mental image.West’s gaze snaps in my direction, and then quickly back at the road.“What’s so funny?”
“Oh, you know, just imagining scores of emperor penguins lining up to mate me once they realize my ass is bigger than the entire Antarctic shelf.”
West laughs.“What?”
“I’m saying I feel like a damn whale, West.That, or one fat-assed penguin.”
“Okay, I don’t know how to respond to that.So I’ll just say your ass is fine.”
“Fine?”I shriek, incredulously.
His eyes widen as he looks at me.“Do we not like fine?”
“We like ‘fine’ as much as you like me asking how your horse is handling all those treats you forgot to share.”
“But what if fine was reallyfiiiine?”West pulls up to my house and leaves the truck running as he climbs out to open my door.I screw up my features and pretend to think over his response as I take his hand and let him help me down.Do I lace my fingers with his and grip them a little tighter than I need to?Maybe.Do I also hang on a little longer than completely necessary?Yes, yes, I do.I still have a hold of his hand as he bumps the door shut with his foot.
“I guessfiiiineis acceptable.I’ll allow it.”I finally let go, but instantly regret the warmth of his calloused palm against mine.There’s a chill in the air, and all I want is to curl up on my sofa under a blanket to watch my favorite reality TV show.Would it be so wrong then to ask for a little company?I open my mouth ...and then chicken out.“Thanks for the ride.”
God, Daisy.Get your shit together.It’s just hanging out.
West nods.“So, I’ll see you here Monday mornin’?”
“Um ...actually, would you like to come in for dinner?I have chili in the crock pot, and I know I’ll eat too much if left to my own devices so ...”My words trail off as he bolts around to the driver’s side.For a minute, I think he’s had all the awkward he’s going to take and is just running off on me, but he grabs the key out of the ignition and locks up.
With a grin, he says, “Don’t gotta ask me twice.”
I laugh.“You’re like a golden retriever when the cheese drawer opens.Have you ever turned down food a day in your life?”
West looks askance.“Well now you’re just talking crazy.”
