“Um, hey, Daze. It’s me, Max. We haven’t talked in a while, and I hope you don’t mind me calling. I heard about what happened to your mom, and…I’m so, so sorry.”
My eyesight blurred. So many of my childhood memories included Amy Johnson—smiling, laughing, hugging me tight. She made me believe in myself. I knew life would move on while I was away from Harlow, but I didn’t prepare myself for this.
“She was incredible, huh? I, uh, I don’t know if you remember, but there was that showcase I had in ninth grade. My parents missed it, of course, but you and your mom showed up. And she brought all the guests staying at The Mirage, as if this dorky, stupid high school art show were some kind of big tourist attraction.” I chuckled at the memory and swiped under my eyes. “That night meant a lot to me. Do you remember? Your mom actually asked for one piece I did for that show and hung it in the lobby.”
I glanced at the departures board and saw my flight near the top. Boarding would start soon, so I needed to head to the gate.
“Ava told me about the service and the memorial and all. I’d love to be there for you. I’m about to be in Dubai for this new client project, but…uh, my coworker already said they can fly out and cover for me.”
That was a lie, but I wouldn’t give her any excuse to say no. My boss wasn’t happy about me backing out last minute, but I would quit before I’d let him tell me no.
“I’m sure you’re overwhelmed with everything.” I swung my backpack over my shoulder and gripped the handle of my suitcase. “Just call me, okay? Or a text is fine. Carrier pigeon, even. If you want me there, I’m there. In a heartbeat.”
I wanted to say so many more things, but this wasn’t the time. “Alright, well…let me know. I’m thinking of you. Bye.”
Chapter Forty-Six
Daisy, 24 Years Old
Dubai was eleven hours ahead of Harlow, so 4:00 p.m. in California seemed like a safe time to call. The previous two days, I thought I had cried all the tears I could cry, but then I heard his message. My entire body ached to have him back with me, and I doubled over on the floor of the casita while Freddie wandered the hallway and yowled for her.
My chest pounded as I rang him up and quietly prayed for it to go to voicemail. I let out a breath once his recorded voice kicked in. I wanted to play the greeting on repeat to fall asleep to. At the beep, I considered hanging up—but he’d know I had called. I sucked down my second guesses and talked.
“Max. Hey. Thank you for the message. It was really sweet.” I tucked Freddie closer to me, my hand running over his back. “I got the flowers too. Did you…”
Someone else probably sent the food. A delivery driver from Hidden Moon showed up the night before with all of my favorites. I barely ate any of it, but Gwen packed it away in the fridge, and I had leftovers for a few days at least. It’s something he would do, but the driver didn’t know who placed the order.
“I remember that night you mentioned.” I sniffled, recalling how happy my mom was to go see Max and his shows. Bringing the hotel guests was my idea, and it became a tradition. “She always loved you, you know. She was so proud of you.”
I took a deep breath to stop myself from losing it. “About you coming out here…I don’t think I could handle that right now.” I kept my reasoning vague, because I knew that if I told Max how I was doing, he’d hop on the first flight out here. Even after years of not talking, I heard the determination in his voice. And as much as I wanted him here, I couldn’t bear him comforting me only to leave again. My world was already falling apart—I didn’t want it to fall apart further.
But funerals are for the living, and I couldn’t deny him the chance to share his memories of her.
“Could you just…I don’t know. I’d love it if you talked about Mom more. Maybe you could call and tell me more stories. And I wanna hear how you’re doing, too. I’m—you know, I’m hanging in there. Anyway, I need to go. Thanks again. Bye, Max.”
Maybe I suggested too much. But my emotions were too raw, and even though I shouldn’t have, I wanted to hear his voice again. I needed that small comfort.
Chapter Forty-Seven
Daisy, Now—95 Days Later
I point to the computer screen where the familiar green button saysGuest Check-In.
“Then you hit that to confirm,” I say. “Easy.”
The woman’s face relaxes like I’ve defused a bomb for her. “Oh, brilliant. You’ve been a massive help.”
“It’s nothing.”
“I swear, I’ll get the hang of it one of these days.”
“You will,” I assure her. It wasn’t all that long ago that staring at the booking software for The Mirage would send my mind spinning with how complicated it was. Combined with the past few weeks of training new hires, I could probably navigate it in my sleep. “Need anything else?”
“I should ask you that.” She slides the room key across the counter with a welcoming smile. “You’rethe guest.”
I run my thumb over the gold embossing on the key card sleeve. Checking in here feels like cheating on The Mirage—which is absurd. I’m not even on the same continent.
“Um…” I glance at my phone. My group chat with Gwen and Dawn is exploding with emojis and good-luck wishes, but it’s the voicemail notification that makes my heart jump. “I could use a taxi. I’ll pop into my room for a quick shower first.”
