Elliot’s smile hitched higher. ‘Sounds like we both have a type.’
‘People who don’t love us?’
‘That’s about right.’
‘Bummer,’ Daisy said even as she let out a resigned laugh. It was nice to finally have someone understand how she felt, someone who didn’t try to placate her with soothing words about how things always work out the way they’re supposed to. Was shesupposedto end up alone? Thanks, universe and thanks, Aunt Jan, for pointing it out.
‘I guess I should get my flowers and get going.’
‘Oh, right, sorry! You didn’t come in here just to play the role of fake boyfriend.’ Daisy rolled her eyes at how stupid the whole thing was, but Elliot stopped her in her tracks again.
‘No, that was just a fun bonus.’ That lopsided grin was killing her, and every other thing out his mouth surprised her. Who the hell was this man? This guy who, until this very moment, had flown completely under the radar but was now in here andflirtingwith her.
Daisy’s mind wandered to the feel of Elliot’s strong arm around her shoulder, and she had to shake herself out of it. This man needed flowers, not to be sexually harassed. And she needed to stay far away from anything that looked like a relationship, fake or otherwise.
‘What were you looking for?’ she asked, clearing her throat.
‘I’m not sure, really. My mom is going to be staying at the seaside cottages for a while, and I just wanted to make it feel homier.’
‘Noah did a gorgeous job on those cottages. I’m sure she’ll love her stay. But maybe a potted plant or two to breathe some life into the place? And maybe a flower arrangement for the table?’
‘That sounds perfect, thank you.’
Daisy got busy with collecting things Elliot’s mom might like and distracted herself from how much she liked being his fake girlfriend, even if it was only for a few minutes. But it was nice to be flirted with; it was nice to be looked at like she was desirable. It was really freaking nice to not feel likea lovesick loser for half a minute.
She was almost tempted to ask Elliot to keep up the charade. He could fill in for her body pillow and her plus one for all events moving forward…
‘How about these?’ she asked, pushing away her insane thoughts to have Elliot be her emotional support date for the foreseeable future. ‘Succulents are always nice and low maintenance. And philodendrons are pretty hard to kill—plus they grow fast.’
‘These are great.’ Elliot added a colorful spring bouquet into the mix on the counter, and Daisy rang it all up.
‘I’m glad I came in today,’ he said, his shy smile back in place.
‘Me, too. You really saved my butt.’
Elliot’s smile grew and the blush rose on his cheeks. She thought for a second that he was going to comment on her butt, and then she really wouldn’t know what to do, but he just nodded and gathered up his plants in the box Daisy had packed them in.
‘You should come in more often,’ she said as he turned to leave.
He smiled at her over his shoulder. ‘Maybe I will. Thanks, Daisy.’
She watched him go, and against her better judgment she found herself hoping he would be back soon.
ChapterFour
‘Tell me everything!’
Iris started talking as soon as Daisy answered the FaceTime call. It was late afternoon, and Daisy was about to close up for the day, but ever since Iris went on maternity leave just over a month ago, a call from her at this time of day was not unusual.
‘Everything about what?’
Iris blew a strand of coppery hair from her face. Daisy could just make out the top of baby Owen’s head where he rested on Iris’s chest.
‘I’m gone for a few weeks and I’m already out of the loop,’ Iris whisper-yelled into the phone.
‘What loop? I still have no idea what you’re talking about. Also tip the phone so I can peek at those little baby cheeks.’
Iris moved the phone and Owen’s sweet face filled the screen. Daisy let out a squeal. Her friend had made the cutest baby. At nearly four weeks old, he was all round rosy cheeks and soft, downy hair and he smelled like heaven.
