Sexy?!
Daisy, get a grip.
She cleared her throat and abruptly turned away, flicking on lamps as she went. ‘Cup of tea?’ she asked. ‘Orsomething stronger, maybe?’ She could certainly use something stronger. ‘Sorry I don’t have any fancy china to serve it in.’
‘Tea is fine. Any mug will do.’
Good, she would make tea. Something to do with her hands and her brain. Appropriate things.
‘Make yourself at home.’ Even as she said it, she knew it was absurd. There was exactly one place to sit in this sad little apartment, and it was at the tiny café table she hadfound on the side of the road. It barely fit in the corner with its two chairs. The only other furniture in the room was the murphy bed, currently still up in the wall. She may have moved back, but she hadn’t exactly made this place home.
The apartment she’d been renting in Dream Harbor before moving into David’s city pad wasn’t available when she got back, and her finances weren’t stellar after waitressing for a year, so finding something new didn’t go great. This spot behind her parents’ shop was the best she could do. And she hadn’t felt like decorating.
‘Thank you,’ Elliot said, folding himself into the tiny chair. He looked ridiculous, but he just smiled at her before she turned her back again and put the kettle on in the miniscule kitchenette.
By the time she sat down across from him, she was totally embarrassed by the state of her life and was about to suggest they call the whole thing off when Elliot caught her gaze again and smiled.
‘I’m glad we’re doing this,’ he said. ‘I know it’s kind of silly but’—he shrugged—‘I don’t have many friends here. So… this is nice.’
Damn it. Damn Elliot and his earnestness.
Itwasnice.
‘You’re right. I’m glad we’re doing it, too.’ If anyone wouldn’t judge her tiny apartment and her sad heart, it would be this man who had to leave his home and dog behind. Elliot understood her.
‘Great.’ He lowered his mug as though he was ready to get down to business. ‘So, what foods would kill you?’
Daisy threw back her head and laughed.
ChapterEight
Two cups of tea and half a package of Oreos into the night, and Elliot couldn’t remember the last time he’d talked so much orwantedto talk so much. Daisy seemed to bring it out in him. She made it easy. Going on dates had always felt like a performance, and one he’d never been good at. It was why he had been so relieved to be in a long-term relationship.
But now that they really were ‘performing’ a relationship, all the pressure was off. He didn’t need to impress Daisy because it was all fake anyway. He could just be himself.
‘Okay,’ she said, leaning back in her chair. ‘Let’s see, we’ve covered how we met.’ Didn’t even really have to lie for that one. They met at the flower shop, of course. ‘Allergies.’ Easy, none. ‘Pets,’ she said with a frown. Unfortunately, none on all fronts for that one. ‘Favorite books.’The Book Thieffor him andThe Witch of Blackbird Pondfor her. ‘And family history.’ Daisy was an only child and her parents still lived in town. Her mom helped her run the flower shop.
‘Actually, shouldn’t I know your parents’ names?’ he asked, taking another Oreo and dunking it in his tea.
Daisy winced like she was dreading that question.
‘My dad’s name is Allen. And my mother’s name is Daisy.’
Elliot smiled. ‘Same as you?’
‘Yes, same as me.’ Daisy did not seem nearly as amused as he was. ‘Same as my grandmother as well.’
Elliot’s eyebrows rose of their own volition. ‘You’reallnamed Daisy?’
She sighed like it was the worst fate she could imagine. ‘Yes, we’re all named Daisy, we’ve all run this flower shop. For like generations. It’s… it’s… ridiculous really.’
‘I think it’s cute.’ He was fully grinning now. An entire family made up of Daisies? And they all ran a flower shop? It was something out of a fairy tale.
‘Of course you do,’ she said, her scowl deepening.
‘What does that mean?’
‘Everyone thinks it’s cute!’
