“It was part of one of my many rehabs. They teach you about how laughter improves sleep and stress and all that. You become addicted to it. Much healthier addiction than booze.”
“I bet.” Tom was already loving so much about the idea of this exhibition, but mostly he was loving that it would provide more experiences like this. Opportunities for him to be surprised by people.
“I like you,” Stormy said. “You can use my photo.”
Tom tried not to let the relief show on his face. “Thank you.”
“And if you sell it, I want a cut. You know where to find me.” He nodded toward the fountain.
And just like that Tom didn’t only have a photo for his exhibition, he had the idea for his solo activity to win back Sophie. If a laughter retreat was good enough for Stormy, it was good enough for him.
Chapter Eleven
Daisy
As Daisy sat at home after work checking through Instagram for any further signs of Dan, Zack appeared in the doorway, a bunch of white roses in his hand, his head tilted to one side.
“Happy two months to our wedding day,” he said, moving toward her. “For you,” he added.
Daisy took them, lifting them immediately to her nose. They didn’t seem to have any scent. “They’re beautiful,” she said. “Thank you.”
“Can you believe it? This time in two months you’ll be Mrs. Zack Crossley.”
“Oh,” Daisy said, eyes widening. She was unsure how it hadn’t come up until now. Except she was fairly sure it had. “I was going to stay Daisy Douglas, remember? We spoke about it once—”
“That was in a therapy session, babe,” Zack interrupted, flinging his hand toward her as though swatting away a fly. “I thought it was hypothetical, rather than specific to us.”
“No.” Daisy shook her head. “I love my name. It’s one of the only things that really makes me feel like myself.”
Zack moved toward her, sitting down. “One of the maintraits of being avoidant is this fear of commitment. You know that, right?”
Daisy frowned. “I do.”
“What do you think one of the biggest signs that you might be avoidant in a marriage would be?” His voice was gentle, his hand reaching out for hers.
She ran through his words. “Not taking their name?” Daisy suggested. Was that the real reason for it? Maybe it wasn’t about her identity at all. Maybe she really was just afraid of becoming too close to Zack. Combining their lives in a way that would be too difficult to undo again were he to leave her.
“That’s right,” Zack said, his thumb circling the skin on the back of her hand. “I put up with a lot from you because I understand how much you struggle. It’s why I don’t suggest going on dates or holidays because I know your instinct is to turn them down, but this is different. This is important tomeand I hardly ever push for things I want. Will you just consider it?” He fixed his warm brown eyes on Daisy’s face and she nodded.
“Of course. I’m sorry. I hadn’t thought about it from your point of view,” she said.
“It’s okay,” he said, as tears stung at Daisy’s eyes. She wasn’t a good partner to Zack sometimes, and he really did try so hard. “You’re okay. I’m here,” he whispered.
He often did this; detected the sadness in her and helped her fight it. He’d done it the day she told him she was in love with him. It was mid-session and she’d broken down over a memory of her dad and there he was, beside her, telling her she’d be okay. That he was there and she was safe.
“I’ve fallen in love with you,” she’d blurted out and he’d backed away from her.
“I think perhaps we should stop these sessions for a bit,” he’d said.
“No, please.” She’d reached forward to grab him.
“We have to.”
“I can’t,” she’d said, panic rising within her at the thought of not seeing him again.
“Daisy, we have to.”
“No, I—”
