“Did you call her dad?”
“He’s on his way.” My skin prickles as I recall the heartbreaking sob from Richard’s end of the line.
Gwen slumps in the chair next to the hospital bed and twirls one of her rings. “She told me about your arrangement.”
“I know.”
“Please, just…don’t be stupid, okay?”
“I’m trying.”
“Do more than try,” she says, crossing her arms. “Consider it your life’s purpose. You’re both adults, so have fun, but I really don’t want anyone’s heart destroyed here. Especially Daisy’s.”
“What are you—”
Daisy’s laughter prompts both our heads to whip toward the door. A nurse wheels her in, and although Daisy looks exhausted, she is the same warm, wonderful woman as always. Gwen bursts into tears and dotes on Daisy while I replay what she said. I only ever did what Daisy asked.To claim I have the power to destroy her heart seems extreme, especially when she’s the one who destroyed mine first.
The doctor comes in to let us know the CT scan showed a minor concussion, and a nurse will arrive soon to discuss aftercare. Gwen gets a salty-and-sweet craving, so she pops out to visit the vending machine, leaving me and Daisy alone.
“Relax.” Daisy fiddles with her ID bracelet. “You look like a wreck.”
“Yeah, well…” I can’t attempt to express how grateful I am that nothing truly terrible or irreversible happened. “I was worried.”
“Thank you.”
“Daze, you fuckingfell. What’d you think I would do? Leave you on the trail to fend for yourself?”
“No, for being here. I don’t…I don’t love hospitals.”
She looks so small, so helpless, hooked up to all the wires and machines. I long to curl up with her, without getting tangled up or hurting her, just to give her a place to feel safe.
“Of course, Daisy.”
“But also, thank you for the research you did,” she says, her tone shifting. “With the local artists.” Her smile is soft.
“You’re in the hospital. You have a concussion.” I shake my head in disbelief. “And still, work is the top thing on your mind.”
“The hotel is my life, Max.” She shrugs. “My life is the hotel. I can’t separate the two.”
When Daisy is in, she’s in completely. It’s why life with her feels so full—almost too much—she gives all of herself to what she really wants. That truth sucker-punches my gut, because she’s holding back with me and keeping a careful distance. I won’t push her, because she has every right to feel that way, but I can’t lie to her, either.
“I understand that, Daze,” I say, sitting in the guest chair by her bed. “I mean, I think I do. You act like an emotional cruise director with certain things in your life, but I know how much The Mirage means to you. But when you fell, I stopped breathing.” I scoot closer and reach for her forearm, overwhelmed that she’s real and here. “I hated every moment out there, and I had all these thoughts and concerns going through my head. But nothing—none of it—had to do with the museum or with work. Because I wouldn’t care about anything else if something happened to you.”
She blinks a couple times, her gaze falling to her hands in her lap. My chest echoes with emptiness, seeing her so visibly uncomfortable with my vulnerability.
Gwen storms back in, shocking us both out of the moment. “Okay, no caffeine, obviously, but I asked the nurses, and they said dark chocolate has magnesium, which is good after a concussion. Want some?”
Daisy pauses, looking at me again for a split second before turning to her friend. “Yeah.” Her voice cracks. “I’d love some.”
Chapter Twenty-One
Daisy, Now
“Missy.” Stacey threatens me by waving a spatula in my direction. She has stepped up from her usual Mirage duties to help Max care for me, and it’s a responsibility she takes seriously. “Plant your tush back on the couch or else.”
“I can walk around my own house.”
“Nuh-uh. Rest and relaxation. Doctor’s orders. Besides, we need you camera-ready in a couple days.”
