Rebecca stood slowly, tears welling as she opened her arms. “Our sweet Daisy girl.”
The embrace nearly undid her. Rebecca’s whisper trembled against her ear: “How beautiful you’ve grown.”
Charlie was right behind her, his voice low and steady. “It’s been far too long, love. How have you been?”
“A long time,” Daisy managed. “I’ve been… well.”
Rebecca clasped her hands. “What a surprise to find you and your sweet child here. What a gift.”
Daisy’s voice came out quieter, almost to herself. “That makes two of us.”
Rebecca touched her arm gently. “Come on. Jameson saved you a seat.”
Daisy walked toward him, but her eyes searched for Amelia. She found her tucked between Lenny and Margot, hysterical with laughter at whatever story Lenny was spinning. The sight both warmed and weighed on Daisy’s heart.In another life, she thought,this could have been our normal, us at this table every Friday night.
“So how’ve you been, Daisy? You still look mighty fine,” Kyler teased, earning a thump to the ribs from the redhead beside him.
“Ow! What? She was like a sister,” he whined.
“And still your girlfriend doesn’t like it,” the redhead scolded. Then, with a kind smile: “I’m Riley, by the way. Girlfriend to this idiot.”
“Nice to meet you, Riley. And nice to see you, Kyler,” Daisy said, rolling her eyes.
Kyler waggled his brows until Riley swatted him again. “So,” she asked, “how do you know this crew?”
Daisy’s palms dampened. Unease prickled at her skin. She opened her mouth to offer some vague answer, but Amelia piped up first.
“She and Jameson were boyfriend and girlfriend.”
Heat surged up Daisy’s neck. She forced a smile at her daughter. “Yes. A long time ago. I grew up with the guys.”
“She’s the reason for our crazy success,” Kyler jumped in.
“I don’t know about that—”
“Are you kidding? Half of the third album is about you. That album catapulted us.”
Lenny tried to nudge him quietly.
“Sorry,” she said stiffly. “I haven’t heard it.”
Kyler’s jaw dropped. “What? Everyone on the planet has heard that album. Where’ve you been—living under a rock?”
Daisy’s gaze flicked to Amelia, whose small ears were straining toward every word. Her reply was barely above a murmur. “I’ve had other priorities.”
Kyler started again, “Sorry, I just mean that album was like a love letter to yo—”
“Dude.” Lenny cut him off, sharper this time. “Stop.”
Kyler threw his hands up. Silence settled.
Finally, Margot stood, smoothing her dress. “Let me get the main dishes. Boys… help. Amelia, my sous chef, you can come along, too.”
All three men rose instantly, Amelia bouncing out of her seat to follow.
Riley leaned across the table, lowering her voice. “I can’t believe it’s really you.”
Daisy frowned. “What do you mean?”
