‘Right, I forgot David’s an idiot.’
The way her frown slowly morphed into a smile was Elliot’s new favorite thing.
‘What’s your perfect day out?’ he asked, eager to get this conversation on track. If he was going to fake-date this woman, he was going to do it properly. No more bringing up her exes.
‘My perfect day out?’ She tucked her hair behind her ear as she thought about it. Her hands were half covered by the sleeves of her black sweater today. It was oversized and made her look smaller than usual.
‘Yeah, what wouldyouchoose to do? And then I’ll just come with you and make heart-eyes at you the whole time.’
Daisy laughed but Elliot knew it would be far too easy to follow her around and pretend he was in love with her. He was a hopeless fool.
‘I guess we could… go wander around the bookstore?’ There was hesitation in her voice, like she’d suggested this idea before and been shot down.
‘If you think I’m going to be scared away by books, you are very wrong.’
‘I forgot who I was talking to,’ she said with a teasing smile.
‘I’d be happy to carry your books,’ he added. Her gaze caught his, and for a split second he thought maybe he saw something there that wasn’t fake, that maybe in another life, one in which they hadn’t had their hearts so thoroughly broken, he and Daisy could be something real.
‘And then grab some takeout from Mac’s and bring it to the beach for a picnic?’
‘Sounds perfect.’
‘We could go on Saturday when a lot of people will be out, plenty of exposure.’
‘Right.’ Plenty of exposure for their fake-date. Because as much as he liked Daisy, neither of them were ready for the real thing.
‘And it will be good practice for you,’ she said, turning away and grabbing a muffin from the basket.
‘Please don’t start talking about riding bikes again.’
Daisy giggled. ‘Okay. I do really appreciate you doing this for me. I know it’s silly, but I am hoping it helps. My grandmother says it’s all just marketing.’
‘I’m happy to be a marketing ploy, but you will have to meet my mom someday. And then we’ll be even.’
‘Deal.’ Daisy stuck out her free hand, and they shook on it.
‘Can I ask you something?’
‘If it’s about my past relationships, then, no.’
‘I think we’ve covered all that. I’m just wondering… Why all the black?’
Daisy laughed. ‘Oh, that. Do you not like it?’
‘I like it. It suits you.’
‘And my depressing personality?’
‘No. It brings out your eyes.’
‘My eyes?’ She stopped in her tracks on her way to throw out her muffin wrapper and turned back to face him.
‘Uh… yeah. They’re this unique amber color. And something about the lightness of your eyes compared to the darkness of your clothes just makes them… pop.’
She was smiling at him now. ‘Elliot, you’ve spent a lot of time thinking about my eyes.’
He could feel his face flushing. ‘Not that much time.’
