Matt brushed a stray hair from her face and leaned his forehead against hers. “Everything’s going to change, isn’t it?”
“It’ll be different,” Daisy admitted. “But I want to keep things as normal as possible, for Amelia, and for us.”
He nodded, then kissed her square on the mouth. “I can do that.”
“Me too.”
Everything would be different.But different doesn’t have to mean worse, she told herself. Just a more colorful version of the same life.
Chapter Twenty-Four
LIFE EASED INTO A RHYTHM, as normal as it could be with Jameson suddenly part of their daily lives. Daisy expected he’d stop in once or twice a week, when his other obligations left room. But that wasn’t the case.
After he’d left their house on Saturday, Jameson was texting Daisy first thing Sunday morning, already asking to see his daughter. That persistence carried through the week. He showed up before seven on most mornings to see Amelia off to school, disappeared during the day, then came back for dinner and often stayed until she went to bed.
Daisy knew he had to be running on empty. His effort was genuine, but unsustainable if she stayed silent.
“You don’t have to come over so often, you know,” she said Thursday night as they cleaned up dinner. With Amelia in the bath, the kitchen belonged just to them.
“Have you ever considered that I want to?” Jameson asked.
Daisy dipped her hand into the murky dishwater and sponged the pan she’d cooked on. “Parenting is exhausting. Pace yourself.These early mornings and late nights will wear you down until this isn’t fun anymore.”
She handed him the pan to dry. “I’m a rock star, Daisy. I’ve gone weeks without sleep.”
She rolled her eyes. “Yeah, but you’re not that kind of rock star anymore.”
Jameson stopped mid-dry. “And what does that mean?”
“It means you no longer use certain stimulants to keep you awake,” she said gently.
He grinned at the soft way she put it. “Very true. But I still want to be here, unless you say otherwise.”
“No,” she said too quickly. “Amelia loves having you. I just don’t want you to feel like you have to be here all the time. I know you’re busy.”
“Not really,” he answered.
Daisy looked at him, suspicious.
“Yes, I have a busy life, but what do you think I do all day when you’re at the studio and Amelia is at school? I work, I write music, and I’m still trying to find a damn house.”
They were about to talk about the house search when Amelia, wrapped in a fluffy yellow robe, appeared in the doorway. “You’re moving out of your mom’s house?”
Daisy and Jameson turned. “How long have you been standing there?”
“Long enough. Now tell me, are you moving?”
“Yes. A grown man can’t live with his mother forever.”
“Where are you going? Not back to LA, right?” she asked, sadness flickering across her face.
“Of course not.” He crouched to her level. “How could I leave my best girl? I’m looking for homes near my mum. Actually, I was hoping you and your mum would come this weekend to view a few contenders. I want you to love it, too.”
“Can your doggie come?” Amelia pleaded, batting her eyelashes.
“I don’t think Gus can make the trip, but I’ll make sure you meet him real soon.”
“Okay, I can’t wait!” Amelia squealed. “It’s okay if we go, right, Mom?”
