She held up her hand. “Just stop. Please. I can’t do this right now.”
She brushed past him and fled back outside.
Thankfully, Jameson had enough sense to bring the cake when he followed. The crowd gathered around Amelia, who stood beaming as the candles flickered. Daisy and Jameson flanked her on either side, the picture of family. As Amelia closed her eyes and blew out nine bright flames, Daisy clapped along with everyone else, pretending her heart wasn’t tearing in two.
As the crowd dispersed, Daisy started to cut the cake, when she heard Amelia gasp.
Both Daisy and Jameson turned just as Amelia bolted toward the man standing at the gate.
For a second, Daisy thought her brain was playing tricks on her. But no, there he was, sunlight catching on his hair as he kneeled to catch the birthday girl.
“Matt,” Daisy breathed.
Amelia wrapped herself around him. “Matty! I didn’t know you were coming. I can’t believe it came true!”
Daisy’s hands trembled as she passed the knife to her mother and walked toward them. “Can’t believe what came true?” Matt asked, still holding Amelia.
“Oh, nothing.” Amelia looked up. “Mom, did you know Matt was coming? Was this a surprise?”
Daisy stopped in front of them, a smile plastered on tight. “No, sweetie. This is a surprise to me, too.” She met Matt’s eyes. “Hi.”
He let go of Amelia and pulled Daisy into his arms. “Hi, back.”
She stepped out of his hold quickly. “When did you get back in town?”
“This morning. First flight I could get. I didn’t want to miss this, and I missed you. Both of you.” He turned back to Amelia with a grin.
Amelia launched into a mile-a-minute rundown of her party, the pirate ship, the chocolate fountain. And Daisy’s eyes found Jameson across the yard. She expected fury. Instead, she saw sadness. And something else… compassion.
Because he knew. He knew she was standing in an impossible place. There was no fear in his gaze, no jealousy, just understanding. And maybe, a trace of pain.
After several minutes, Amelia darted back to play with her friends. Matt turned to Daisy. “Can I have a minute?”
She nodded faintly. “Of course.”
They walked in silence toward the back of the property, toher garden. The air was heavy, fragrant, and cruelly calm.
“I’m sorry to show up unannounced,” Matt said. “I was going to call but thought better of it. Didn’t want to give you the chance to tell me not to come.”
“You’re always welcome, Matt. Amelia loves you.”
“And I love her. And her mother.”
Their eyes locked, both wounded, but not the same way. His, from the ache of being away; hers, from the truth she could no longer outrun.
“Matt—”
“Before you say anything, I just need to get this out. First—I’m sorry. I know I screwed up by even suggesting we take that break, but the time apart gave me space to think clearly, to get my head out of my own ass and focus on what really matters. You and Amelia. I was wrong. I don’t need the titles or a piece of paper telling me you’re mine and I’m yours—what we have is bigger than that. And your rules…” He exhaled, eyes flicking away. “While I still don’t love them, they’re no longer an issue.”
Daisy tensed.
“I quit my job,” he said.
“Matt, no—”
“Yes. I took a position here in the Bay. No more flights, no more distance. Just us.”
Daisy squeezed her eyes shut. She was going to be sick. He loved his job, his clients, and he was giving it all up for her. She swallowed the bile rising in her throat. A terrible knowing settled in her. She could feel the moment tipping toward something irreversible and couldn’t find the strength to stop it.
