“I can work anywhere. Jameson would be lost without me.”
“But the travel… that must be hard on your family. Assuming they’re local.”
From the corner of her eye, Daisy saw Jameson tilt his head, a sly, knowing look that called her out without a word.
“My husband’s fine with it,” Alice said cheerfully. “He works remotely and joins me when he can.”
Daisy exhaled a breath she hadn’t realized she was holding. “You’re married?”
“Six years in August.” Alice’s phone rang and she slipped out to answer.
Jameson turned, a grin tugging on his lips. “Nice interrogation. Surprised you didn’t spot the rock on her hand.”
Daisy hadn’t. She had been too busy choking on her jealousy. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“I can see right through you,darlin’. You’re transparent to me.” He stood and crossed the room, closing the space between them.
“I don’t know what you think—”
“Don’t gaslight me, Daisy. I know you feel this, too. You can keep pretending, but eventually that conscience of yours is going to spill out from under you.”
Daisy didn’t know what to say. Had she started to warm to him? Yes. Was he still the reason she carried trust issues like scars? Also, yes.
He stepped closer, close enough that she felt his breath. “If I kissed you this second, would you push me away like I deserve, or would you finally let yourself stay?”
Her pulse jumped. She tried to look away, but his blue eyes pinned her in place. He reached up, brushing a lock of hair from her shoulder, fingers lingering too long.
Her chest tightened, lungs betraying her. She hated that he was right.
Jameson’s hand slid to her cheek and whispered, “Stay.”
Her eyes fluttered shut, her body leaning toward him—
“They’re almost here!”
Both of them jolted back.
Alice strode in. “Stylists are here. Time to fit Daisy and Anna for their dresses tonight.”
“Right,” Jameson muttered, running a hand through his hair.
Alice launched into details, but Daisy barely heard her. Her pulse still thundered from how close she’d come, how close she still wanted to be. Margot’s plea from last night echoed sharp in her mind:Don’t break his heart.
And yet, God help her, she had nearly kissed him.
While their dresses were being altered, Anna decided to spend her day shopping in LA, while Daisy, Jameson, and Amelia changed into their beachwear and headed down to the ocean. Jameson’s backyard opened onto a strip of private beach, and Amelia had been begging to explore it since they’d arrived.
Under the shade of a wide cabana, Daisy sat her daughter down and began lathering sunscreen onto Amelia’s little shoulders. The moment she was finished, Amelia bolted across the white sand, shrieking happily as she dipped her toes into the water.
Jameson pulled his shirt over his head in one fluid motion. “Do you mind?” he asked, handing her the bottle.
Shivers.Not fair.
His body was leaner now, more cut than the boy she remembered, and inked in the places she’d never forgotten.
“Sure,” she managed, though it came out like a gulp.
She worked the lotion across his shoulders and down his arms, moving quickly, hoping efficiency would hide her trembling.
