At the threshold, Jameson asked, “What time should I pick you ladies up tomorrow?”
They both looked at him. “Game night,” he reminded. “It starts at five at Rebecca and Charlie’s. I’ll pick you up.”
“I’ll drop her off,” Daisy offered.
“You’re not coming?” He sounded disappointed.
“I have plans with Matt,” she said coolly. “It’ll be all you tomorrow.”
“You don’t care?” His brows knit.
Daisy laughed and set her purse on the counter. “I trust you. Amelia is comfortable with you and your family, so I don’t see the issue.”
Jameson looked distressed for a moment, then reverted to his crooked smile. “You’ll be thoroughly missed. Though I can’t say I’ll miss your game-playing skills.”
“Oh please. I always won.”
“No. I always let you win.”
“You didn’t.” Daisy grimaced playfully.
He shrugged, kissed Amelia on the forehead, and called over his shoulder as he left, “Guess you’ll have to come tomorrow to find out.”
Matt and Amelia were in the living room while Daisy finished getting ready.
After Jameson left the night before, she and Amelia had stayed up past bedtime—painting nails, eating popcorn, and, thanks to Jameson, watchingFerris Bueller’s Day Off.Daisy already knew she’d blame him the next time Amelia repeated one of the movie’s curse words.
“Mom, it’s almost time. We need to leave!” Amelia called, buzzing with excitement for game night. Daisy was glad her daughter fit so easily with Jameson’s family, but she couldn’t ignore the thought of how fleeting these moments might be once the band was back in the studio or worse, on tour again.
She smoothed her clothes, a slimming black pair of jeans and a white top that revealed a sliver of midriff, slid on heels, and joined them in the living room.
Matt kissed her cheek. “Thank you for hurrying. Your child here was about to lose it.”
Daisy rolled her eyes, grabbed her purse, and headed out to drop Amelia off at game night.
Her palms began to sweat as the three of them drew closer to the house. She hadn’t let herself think much about how this would go. Would Matt come inside with them, or would she walk in alone? Would Jameson’s family see her as a bad mother for leaving Amelia while she went out, or would they understand?
She shook the thoughts from her head as they pulled into the driveway.
It doesn’t matter, she reminded herself. At the end of the day, she was a good mother who had done her best with the hand she’d been dealt.
Daisy was surprised when Matt jumped out of the driver’s seat and came around to escort them to the door. Amelia raced ahead, rang the bell twice, and bounced on her toes until the door opened.
Margot stood there, smiling wide the moment she saw Amelia. “There’s my precious girl!” She scooped her into a hug and ushered her inside. “Everyone’s just through that hallway.”
Amelia didn’t even glance back at Daisy. She just bolted off, thrilled to see everyone.
Daisy stepped cautiously across the threshold. “Nice to see you, Margot,” she said. “This is Matt.”
Margot’s smile faltered, not quite meeting her eyes. “It’s a pleasure.” She quickly extended a hand. “You must be the boyfriend.”
“Yes, ma’am. And I’m assuming you’re the grandma.”
This time, Margot’s smile did reach her eyes at the word.Grandma.
“Yes,” she said proudly. “That I am. Come inside, both of you.”
Daisy nodded once and followed her into a living room full of familiar faces. The chatter quieted briefly as the pair entered.Everyone from dinner the week prior was there, along with two new faces.
