“Oh, please.Like you don’t know.West Winchester, God’s gift to humanity.”
Now I really guffaw.My stomach hurts so bad, and my eyes are tearing up so much, I can barely see the long stretch of road in front of me.“Uh-huh.Yep, it’s true.I really am God’s favorite.”
“Oh, I know.”
“Well, now I gotta know what the hell you mean, Dais.Because the only thing I’ve ever been good at my whole life is chasing a ball around a field.”
“Okay, star quarterback with the voice of an angel who used to sing in church.”
“Yeah, accompanying Wyatt, who’s the real damn star of the family.That kid could be selling out stadiums.”
I dart my gaze from the road long enough to see her roll her eyes.“So could you.”
“’Fraid that ships sailed, darlin’.The only thing I’m slinging these days is a rope around cattle.Busted knee, remember?”
“Well, at least you can still hold a tune.”
I grin.“Unlike some of us.”
“Hey.I am seven months pregnant.It’s really not fair my ass has gotta grow four sizesandI have to be the butt of your jokes.”
“I’m sorry.I’ll go easy on you.”I don’t know why “going easy on her” is the last thing I want to do.I like that Daisy-Mae gives as good as she gets.She doesn’t take herself too seriously, she’s got a wicked sense of humor, and she’s just, well ...fun ...to be around.
“Thank you.”She grins like she just won that round, and I guess she did.“So ...are you excited for your date tonight?”
I turn and glare at her.“Does this look like my excited face?”
She laughs.“No, sir.It does not.”
Why did I get a little thrill when she said “sir” just now?Like a shot straight to my balls.I shift in my seat and shake my head.I gotta get laid.Maybe this date won’t be so bad after all.
“Lemon’s heart is in the right place.”
Daisy smiles tightly.“I think she just wants you to be happy.”
“I think my sister is a busybody who likes sticking her nose where it don’t belong.I don’t need a woman.I’m barely home as it is.”
Twenty minutes later, I pull up to Daisy’s house.It’s a cute little single-story craftsman with pink shutters over the windows and colorful mums lining the front porch.Anyone can see Daisy-Mae takes a lot of pride in her modest home.Though it looks to me like the Maple in the front yard needs trimming and the gutters are overflowing.I stare at the offending branches barely hanging on to the trunk.I know that douche canoe left her high and dry, but surely, he’s paying for someone to take care of the property for his heavily pregnant wife.
“Who’s doing your landscaping these days?”
She raises her brow and gives another tight smile and opens her door, jumping out faster than I would have thought she’d be able to move.“You’re looking at her.Well, thanks for the ride.”
I frown.“Don’t mention it.”
“And I really am sorry about my car breaking down.”
“I told you, don’t worry ’bout it.”
“But I made you late for dinner.”
“I wasn’t prepared to leave a pregnant woman by the side of the road.I know sometimes it may not seem like it, but my mama raised me right.”
“Well, I appreciate it.Thanks again, West.”
I nod.Daisy closes the passenger door and stands on the curb by her house.I should have got out of the truck and helped her down, because hadn’t I just finished saying my mama raised me right?Mama would smack me upside the head if she knew I hadn’t opened the door for a lady.
I hesitate with my hands on the wheel.Just drive away, West.Turn on your indicator and leave.Spoiler alert: I don’t.“Daisy?”
