Anna passed it over with an exaggerated sigh. Daisy scrolled through her messages and emails before tucking the phone away. “We should head out in thirty. Jameson’s dropping Amelia off around four.”
“So? Can’t he hang with her until we’re done?”
Daisy shook her head. “No.”
Anna’s expression begged for an explanation.
“Because Jameson doesn’t justhang outat my house anymore,” Daisy said flatly. “And I don’t at his. We pick up. We drop off. Everything’s simple, casual, easy.”
Anna’s face said more than words could, an open book of quiet pity.
“Don’t do that,” Daisy warned.
“Do what?”
“Say everything without actually saying it. Look, Anna, I don’t want to hear it. Things have beengood. This is what I needed. What Amelia needed. Two parents, present and focused on her, not our stupid drama.”
Anna’s silence again said plenty. She’d been there the night Daisy admitted she loved Jameson, and she’d been there when everything fell apart. Since then, she’d held her tongue, respecting Daisy’s boundaries. But lately, her restraint had begun to crack.
After a long pause, Anna sighed. “I’m sorry my face is so judgy. It’s just… never mind.”
Daisy should’ve left it, but she didn’t. “Say it.”
“Are you sure?”
Daisy nodded.
“All I was going to say is that… it’s gone.”
“What’s gone?”
“That light in your eyes,” Anna said softly. “The one that used to be filled with hope. It flickers when Amelia’s around, or when you’re working on a new piece, or obviously when you’re with me.” She smiled faintly. “But it’s dimmer now. And I think he had a lot to do with that. You just seem… a little lost.”
“Well,” Daisy said dryly, “thanks for putting it lightly.”
“I’m sorry. I love you, in any form. I just kind of missyou, too.”
And Daisy knew exactly what she meant. Somethinghaddimmed in her. She’d tucked away the ache, compartmentalized it to protect what mattered most. Because sometimes, you had to break your own heart to heal it.
“I miss her sometimes, too,” Daisy said quietly. “But she’s still here. She’s figuring it out.”
“Well…” Anna grinned. “Can she figure it out soon?”
They spent the rest of the afternoon basking in the sun, finishing off the flask of tequila Anna had smuggled in. By the time they got back to Daisy’s place, the air felt lighter. They’d barely been inside ten minutes when a knock sounded at the door.
Daisy sprang up. Amelia had spent three days with her dad, and she’d missed her terribly.
“Hi, sweet stuff!” Daisy scooped her daughter into her arms and held on tight. “I missed you.”
“I missed you, too, Mom, but can you let go so I can breathe, please?”
Daisy squeezed her once more before setting her down. Over Amelia’s shoulder, Jameson stood in the doorway, a small grin tugging at his lips.
“Hey,” she said softly, taking Amelia’s duffel from him.
“Hi, Daisy.” It was her name, but it sounded so cold on his lips. She hadn’t heard him call herdarlin’since the nighteverything blew up and while the reason was obvious, a small part of her missed the endearment.
“Did you have a good time?”
