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“Did it work?” he asks, tipping his head to the side, as he brushes a lock of hair behind my ear.
“I mean, yes.”
We both laugh. And god, I really want him to kiss me again. I’d forgotten how much I like kissing. Touching. Being touched.
But before I can lean back in, a little voice calls out from the house.
“Daddy says you should stop snogging and come into my party.”
Theo laughs, giving me another dark gaze that makes me think this kiss is to be continued. Daisy – I’m guessing – is standing on the stairs, her hands on her hips like she’s not to be ignored.
“Come meet the birthday girl,” Theo murmurs, reluctantly stepping back from me. He smooths his shirt and we walk across the graveled driveway and I send up a prayer of thanks that I decided to wear flats today.
“Uncle Theo.” Daisy launches herself at him. I let go of his hand just in time for him to catch her. She’s absolutely gorgeous, all red hair and toothy smiles, a tiara perched askew on her head like she’s a princess who’s had one too many cocktails. “It’s my birthday,” she says, looking over at me. “Who’s this?”
“This is Georgia,” he tells her. “She’s nice.”
“Nicer than Melodie?”
His expression doesn’t change. And I don’t ask who Melodie is. “Much nicer,” he agrees.
“Do you like princesses?” she asks me, not quite accepting Theo’s word as final.
“I love them. I was just telling Theo that a princess must live in this house because it looks like a palace.”
She grins, like I’ve said the right thing. “You speak funny,” she says.
“That’s because she’s from America.” He bites down a smile. “A little word of advice. Definitely don’t ask her what Jelly is.”
“Jelly’s what you eat with ice cream of course.” Daisy wriggles enough for him to let her go, and she jumps down to the ground and gives me the kind of once over that she’ll probably grow out of in a few years. “You’re very pretty,” she tells me. “I like your dress.”
It’s a sweater dress. Fine knit and cream, with a dark belt. Along with the flats I felt it would probably work for a birthday party.
“Thank you. I like your tiara, Princess Daisy.”
She claps her hands like she loves her new title. “Did you bring me a present?” she asks, peering around Theo’s back like he’s got a gift strapped to it.
“Daisy.” A low voice chides from the doorway. I look up to see a man who is around Theo’s age. Tall with dark hair and the kind of confidence you only get from money. “You can’t ask if somebody brought you a gift. That’s rude.”
“But it’s my birthday,” she points out. “And Theo always brings presents.”
Her dad’s eyes meet mine. “You must be Georgia,” he says, grinning at me.
“I am. And we did bring you gifts, didn’t we Theo?”
“Of course.” He shakes his head at Daisy. “I’ll grab them from the car.”
“I’ll come with you,” Daisy says, running after him, too excited to wait.
“I’m Beck,” her father says to me. “Come on inside.” He reaches for my hand and I shake it.
“Your house is beautiful,” I say as he leads me into the hallway. The wood paneled walls stretch up to a ceiling so high I have to tip my head back to look at it. There’s an easy elegance to the furniture – none of it matches, yet every piece looks like it’s been carefully picked.
“Thank you. It’s a fucking albatross around my neck, but somebody has to take care of it.” He takes my coat. Then he notices I’m about to take off my shoes. “Oh no, don’t do that. We have about a hundred dogs running in and out of the house. God only knows what you’ll be stepping in.”
I keep them firmly on.
He leads me down the hallway to a room on the left. It’s airy, with large windows overlooking the gardens that slope gently down toward a bubbling river. There are people scattered around, holding champagne glasses and gossiping, while two dogs snore softly next to the fireplace.
