Page 34

The problem I’m facing is every solution I come up with sounds like I’m trying to insert myself into their lives on a more permanent basis, even if that’s exactly what I’m doing.

Daisy’s barely had time to catch her breath since walking away from a long-term relationship. The last thing I want is to pile more pressure on her.

“I never hear you talk about your family, Dais,” I say as we drive to the restaurant. Because the thought of her moving back to Queensland quietly terrifies me. “Are you close?”

“Nope.” She doesn’t even look my way. Instead, she turns her face towards the passenger window, watching the blur of passing traffic.

I wait, thinking she might add something, but she doesn’t. “I take it that’s not a conversation you want to have.”

Her shoulders lift in the smallest shrug. “There’s not much to tell. I left home at eighteen shortly after I started working for Jason. My parents divorced when I was young and spent more time using me to hurt each other than actually being parents. Once I moved out, there wasn’t much reason for them to call.”

“Ah, darlin’,” I say, reaching across to place my hand on her thigh. “I’m sorry they did that to you.”

She shrugs again like it’s no big deal, but the fact she’s still staring out the damn window tells me otherwise. “It was the motivating factor in me leaving with Jonah,” she says quietly. “I didn’t want that kind of life for him.”

“I don’t blame you.”

She finally turns to look at me. “You’re lucky to have the parents you do, Nolan.”

“Yeah,” I admit. “I really am.”

“I want to be the kind of mum Jonah never has to recover from.”

“You already are.” I give her leg a gentle squeeze. “You’re a good mum. Don’t let anyone make you think otherwise.”

“Thanks, Nolan.” She places her hand over mine. “That means a lot.”

Without thinking, I turn my hand over and lace our fingers together. “It’s the truth.” A smile tugs at my lips when she doesn’t pull away.

“You’re bringing Daisy to the wedding, right?” Poppy asks over dinner.

“I was planning to.”

“When is it?” Daisy asks.

“This weekend,” Bennett replies, draping an arm over the back of Poppy’s chair.

The look he gives her, and the one she gives him in return, is so full of love it makes something tighten in my chest.

I may not have thought it at the time, but I realise now Amanda did me a favour when she cheated. As much as it hurt, it forced me to walk away from something that was never what Bennett and Poppy have.

They have the kind of love where one look says everything. The kind where you can see they both know they’re exactly where they’re meant to be. I want that. I want it with the woman sitting beside me, and the realisation has me shifting in my seat.

“I asked my boss at The Meridian if she could put me back on the roster, but since the shifts have already been allocated for this week, she said she’ll make sure I’m on it for next week. So, if I can find someone to watch Jonah, I may be able to come.”

“Um, excuse me?” Poppy says, raising an eyebrow. “Did you just say if you can find someone to watch Jonah?”

Daisy looks at her, confused. “Yeah?”

“He’s part of this family too. He’s invited. We want him there.”

“You consider us part of your family?” Daisy asks as a small smile spreads across her face.

“Yes,” Poppy, Bennett and I all say in unison.

Daisy dips her face, staring down at her lap for a moment, and when she raises her head, I see the tears glistening in her eyes. I know those aren’t tears of sadness. They’re the kind that come when someone offers you something you’ve stopped believing you deserve.

“In that case,” she says softly, her voice thick with emotion, “we’d love to come and be a part of your special day.”