“That’s normal, but stop taking it out on others. It’s not Daisy’s fault. I promise you, she did nothing wrong. I’m happy for you, though. You always wanted to be a mom.”
She nods and lets out a quiet sob. “I’m sorry.” I step forward but hold myself back. I can’t really console her right now, not when she’s been so upset about my relationship with Daisy. I don’t want her to get the wrong idea.
“Please don’t,” Violeta says loudly, and I nod. I won’thug her, but at least I can wipe away her mascara-filled tears.
“I can’t do this,” she says between a small sob and holding her belly. She can, and she just needs to talk to Jaime.
“You sure can.” I hold her hand reassuringly.
Violeta opens her mouth to say something, but her eyes dart to a ruckus behind me. I turn, and at first, I notice the group of carolers carrying a Christmas tune, but then I see Daisy. I smile immediately, but it’s not returned.
She looks worried, and when I follow her gaze to me and Violeta holding hands, I can only imagine what she’s thinking. Of course, she’s going to think the worst.
“Daze, wait!” I shout, but she’s already running back to the room.
“I gotta go,” I tell Violeta, and she nods.
“Sorry I’ve been anything but pleasant. I’ll get it together.”
“Just leave my girl out of it. Go, enjoy your day. See you tonight, Mrs. Sanz.”
“I always thought I would be… It just?—”
“Wasn’t me,” I interrupt. “It’s a good thing, Violeta. Jaime loves you, and I’m sure you love him back.” She nods. “Then forget the past. Rest easy that it wasn’t you, it was me. Go be happy.”
She nods again.
“I do have to go, okay?” I squeeze her hand again and run back to catch Daisy. She’s already gone, and judging by the way she took off, she’s back in the room.
Why would she think the worst of me? I’m her best friend, but also…last night was a lot, and we didn’t talk. Today, she probably woke up by herself and the first thing she saw was me holding Violeta’s hand. Damn, I would think the worst too.
I open the door and hear the shower running. Okay, she is here.
I can see why she’d jump to the worst case scenario. Our hands together and maybe even the words I was saying—how much did she hear? What did it look like? It sure as hell probably looked like exes reconciling.
“Daze.” I knock on the door.
“It’s fine, Mateo. We got carried away last night. It’s fine.”
The water is loud crashing over her body. The swish of her scrubbing distracts me from what I’m here for: her. “It’s not fine, and we didn’t. Nothing we did last night was fine. Can I come in?” I ask.
“No, I don’t want to talk,” she shouts over the shower.
“Is this one of those instances when you tell me no but it’s really a yes? Can I please come in? I want to be respectful but I also want to talk to you.”
“I said I don’t want to talk.”
“You know what, Daisy? Sometimes, you’re so infuriating.” I drag my hand over my face in exasperation. My heart is racing, but I can’t let it go. She needs to hear me. “I’m coming in.” The bathroom is foggy, completely full of steam from the scalding shower. “Are you in pain?” I ask, because maybe I was too rough on her last night, and she’s soothing her muscles with the heat of the shower.
She lets out an exasperated sigh. “No, I’m not in pain, Mateo, but I still don’t want to talk.”
“Good. Then listen.” I pause, letting her know I mean it. Rarely do I tell Daisy what to do or what I think she should do, but right now, I need her to listen.
“I don’t know what you think you saw, but Violeta and I were just talking. She thought I cheated on her with you, apparently has thought it all along, and she’s emotional for many reasons. I did not go to her this morning.”
She yanks the shower curtain aside, and suddenly, I’m face-to-face with a very pissed—no, not pissed, more like sad—but still breathtakingly naked Daisy. Waterdrops race down her skin like liquid gems, but her eyes are sharper than knives—cutting right through me.
“Why would she think that? And why was she emotional after being the one to call things off?” Her voice cracks, allowing me to see inside her feelings.
