Daisy shook her head, amused. She already had him wrapped around her finger.
Hook, line, and sinker.
They spent the rest of the drive trading the safe versions of old stories. At the curb, Jameson pulled on an oversized hoodie, an SF Giants cap, aviators, and much to Amelia’s delight, a fake black mustache.
“What do we think?” he asked.
They cracked up but gave him their approval. It was perfect. Barely recognizable.
When he was ready to go, Jameson hopped out onto the curb and waited for Daisy and Amelia to follow out behind him. As they made their way toward the entrance, Daisy noticed that Barry was not far behind.
Perplexed, she leaned closer to Jameson and posed, “Sorry to be nosy, but why is your driver following us?”
“Barry heads my security,” Jameson said. “He drives sometimes, too.”
“You only brought him?”
“Just today. The disguise helps. He wasn’t thrilled.” He grimaced. “Apologies if he gets too protective. His job is to keep us safe.”
“You mean you,” she said automatically.
“No,” he said quickly, motioning to all three of them. “Us.”
Daisy nodded and led the way inside.
She was relieved to find the aquarium quiet for a Friday afternoon. Aside from a roaming swarm of middle-schoolers, it was practically empty. Amelia dragged Jameson straight to the penguins.
“Aren’t they the coolest?!”
Mesmerized, he watched the tuxedoed bodies rocket through blue water. “Yeah. Pretty awesome.”
“Do you remember the penguins being here when you and Mom came?”
He glanced at Daisy, grinning. “Honestly, I don’t remember much of this place.”
“How?” Amelia gasped. “This is the best!”
“You’ve seen your mum, right?”
She nodded, confused.
“I was a little busy trying to impress the pretty girl.”
“You must’ve had it bad,” Amelia said, rolling her eyes.
“So bad,” he murmured.
Daisy’s breath caught as she listened to their exchange. The words brought back memories she thought she’d buried, but instead of hurting, they warmed her in a quiet, unexpected way. It amazed her how easily he could slip beneath her guard, especially standing there beside Amelia, so casual and unassuming. For a moment, the walls she’d built didn’t feel quite as sturdy.
“Come on! Let’s go see the jellyfish!” she shrieked, tugging them on.
An hour became two and Amelia didn’t tire. Daisy loved that about her, this bottomless curiosity she had about the ocean. She didn’t know where her interest had come from, maybeThe Little Mermaidyears. She’d watched that movie a hundred times. Daisy used to swear that if she heard “Part of Your World” one more time, she’d stage an intervention.
“I swear that kid never stops,” Jameson said.
Pulled out of her thoughts, Daisy looked up from the bench she was sitting on.
“Only around eight p.m. and even then, I think her brain is still whirling.”
