‘That sounds like a nightmare. Doesn’t it, Elliot?’ She turned to him with a big grin, and he would jump over the damn fire if she wanted him to but decided not to voice that thought. Judging by the look on Iris’s face, she might actually think that would be a great idea.
‘Yeah, maybe we just go together? But without the public dancing part.’
Daisy held his gaze, her cheeks rosy from laughter. ‘Are you asking me to Beltane, Elliot?’
‘I… uh… yes. It’s what a boyfriend would do, right?’ He swallowed hard, even when it was fake, he wasn’t great at this. ‘And Iris is right; it would help sell our story to the town.’
Daisy’s smile dimmed slightly, but she nodded. ‘Definitely. We’ll show them how fake-in-love we are and if any night would break a curse, it’s gotta be Beltane.’
Iris’s gaze flicked between the two of them, and Elliot had to look away from Daisy’s sweet face, or he was sure he was going to give away how much he wished this wasn’t fake.
‘Riiight… okay, well, give me my baby back. I’m feeling at least partially sane again.’
Elliot handed over Owen, already missing the weight of him on his chest.
Iris snuggled her face against his chubby cheek, like she’d missed him in the few minutes she’d been away. ‘Thanks, you guys. I guess I really did need a break.’ She laid him back in the stroller and then gave Daisy a kiss on the cheek.
‘Any time,’ Daisy said, and Elliot wanted to agree. He’d be happy to hold Owen again even if meant being covered in spit up, but Iris barely knew him, and he didn’t want to overstep. Iris was Daisy’s friend not his, but this fake relationship had already thrust him into Dream Harbor life, more than living here for over a year had.
Apparently, dating the florist really got you noticed.
‘That was very sweet of you,’ Daisy said once Iris and Owen were on their way again. ‘To hold Owen like that.’
Elliot shrugged. ‘He’s a good guy.’
Daisy laughed. ‘He spit up on you.’
‘It happens.’
‘Lupita should be here soon to take over for the afternoon. Do you want to show me what you found out about the shop when she gets here?’
‘Sure, sounds good.’
Her eyes flicked up to his, a shy smile on her face. ‘You looked really cute holding a baby, by the way.’
Elliot swallowed hard.He looked cute?
Daisy thought he was cute.
This was life-altering information.
‘I don’t think I can take credit for that. Owen is a very cute baby.’
‘The cutest,’ Daisy agreed with a little smirk, stepping closer. She smelled like springtime, like leaves and earth and honey. Like life. ‘But you are also very cute.’
Elliot had always hated his tendency to blush, and he felt it now, the red seeping into his cheeks and ears. He hated it until Daisy ran one delicate fingertip over the outer edge of his ear and whispered. ‘It’s cute when you blush, too.’
He felt that fingertip over his entire body. He wanted it everywhere. He wanted to pull Daisy to him and breathe her in, to taste her, tohaveher.
He’d never felt anything so strongly in his entire life.
But he didn’t have time to react before Daisy was moving past him, rearranging the bouquets by the window. He blew out an unsteady breath. What the hell was that?
He’d been attracted to his wife, he’d loved her, but his feelings for Leigh had always been more… measured. Hisfeelings for Daisy were turning into something he didn’t recognize. Could he like and respect this woman and want to ravage her at the same time? And when the hell had he started thinking words likeravaged. He stood stunned in the middle of the shop for far too long before he propelled himself back into action.
‘Maybe I’ll just go home and change my shirt and come back in an hour?’
‘Perfect. How about we meet at the café?’ Daisy said, not looking up, her own cheeks pink like maybe she’d surprised herself with her comment as much as she’d surprised him.
