She opened her mouth to ask what he meant, when their waitress interrupted and took their order.
“I need you to elaborate on that. How am I not being consistent?”
Matt gave a short, cynical laugh. “How can you be so blind, Daisy? I’ve been here for three years. Three damn years. I’ve helped raise Amelia. I’ve loved her like she was my own. I’ve been there when he wasn’t. And now, to see you all together, the time you’re spending, the little family you’re rebuilding… it hurts. It’s like a punch to the gut.”
Daisy sat in silence, his words pressing heavy on her. She felt awful knowing her choices had caused him pain, but what was she supposed to do? Deny Jameson the right to see his daughter? She knew Matt wasn’t asking for that, not outright. But it sure felt like he was leaving her with no other option.
The food arrived and the owner came by to chat, a welcome distraction that eased the tension for a bit. But after he left, Matt set his fork down and said, quietly and intensely, “I want it all, Daisy. Not this half-assed bullshit. I want to be a parent to Amelia, a real boyfriend to you, and one day, hopefully soon, a husband.”
The words hit her like a wave. She sat frozen, unsure what to say. Part of her wanted nothing more than the normal life Matt described; part of her was still so afraid.
The damage was already done, and she didn’t know if she could ever fully trust again.
It wasn’t fair, to him or to her, to keep living a life shadowed by doubt.
After several long seconds of stillness, Daisy whispered, “I want those things too, Matt. But… I need time.”
He blew out a breath and flagged for the bill. “I love you, Daisy. Even though you won’t say it, I know you love me, too. I believe we can go the distance, build a good life together. I know you’re scared, but I know what I want, and it’s been right in front of me for years.”
She didn’t answer as he paid and led her out to the car. They drove back to Rebecca and Charlie’s, forgoing the movie and not speaking a word until they pulled into the driveway.
After a long minute, he said, “I’m going back to New York the day after next. I’ll be staying for a while. My dad is finally having his hip replaced. I’ll help my mom while he recovers.”
“Of course,” she murmured.
“I think we should use the time apart to think about what we want—what we want from this relationship.”
He said “we,” but she heard “you.” She knew where he stood. Now the cards were in her hands.
“Are you… breaking up with me?” she whimpered.
“I want all of you, Daisy. I’m ready to choose you, day in and day out. No more games. I need you to trust me. You loosen your grip every time I go back to New York like you’re bracing yourself for the same betrayal someone else left you with. You practically give me free rein, as if it’ll hurt less if you don’t ask questions. But, Daisy, I’ve never once taken advantage of that. Not once. I could have. God knows the opportunity was there. I’ve tried to flirt, tried to see if the grass was greener, and every single time, my thoughts circled back to you. So I’ll say it again: I want it all. As risky as it is to let you go right now, it’s one I’m willing to take. I need you all in on us.”
Daisy’s face brimmed with tears. His declaration was potent and lovely and terrifying. She wanted to pull him into her arms and say yes, but the fear sat heavy.
“Okay,” she managed.
He seemed ready to press, to coax her into a decision, but then his shoulders sagged. “I’ll wait here while you get Amelia.”
“You don’t need to wait. It’s not even seven; she won’t want to leave.”
“How will you get home?”
“Jame—” she began, then stopped. “Someone will drop us off.”
“Daisy, I don’t mind—”
“Please, Matt,” she said softly, cutting him off. “Just go home.”
He hesitated. “Can I at least come over tomorrow to say goodbye?”
She nodded, then opened the car door. Before she climbed out, she glanced back over her shoulder and murmured, “I do love you, Matt. I just need more time.”
Chapter Twenty-Five
DAISY SAT ON REBECCA ANDCharlie’s front stoop and stared into the dark. Her lungs constricted, like she’d run a 10K without training. Had she just let the best thing in her life go? Had she let an old betrayal poison something steady and kind?
Matt hadn’t broken up with her because he didn’t love her. He’d done it because he loved her too much to keep pretending. He’d been right—about the silence, about the distance, about her still living with a ghost. The knowledge throbbed like an old break. And yet, buried under the panic, there was a sliver of something else. Relief. Because she couldn’t keep doing “almost” forever. Not to him. Not to herself.
