Daisy nodded, but smiled faintly. “Well, unlike Ryan, he doesn’t know what he’s missing.”
Anna’s eyes nearly popped out of her head. “Wait.What?Are you telling me we have an anomaly—a virgin rock star?”
Daisy giggled as she remembered that night over the summer when they had briefly discussed it. Her jealousy had gotten the better of her when Jameson recalled some bra-throwing girl in the crowd. It nearly unhinged her. Over the phone, her fearsspilled out—every what-if of groupies who could give Jameson what she wasn’t ready for. Something he likely missed very much.
His answer had stunned her.I can’t miss something I’ve never had.
With his lyrics, his confidence, his very aura, she had just assumed. Instead, the truth bonded them deeper.
Anna set the popcorn aside and grabbed Daisy by the shoulders.
“Even though he hasn’t done it, just please wait until you’re absolutely sure. I need to vicariously live through you and your wholesomeness, so don’t let me down, Double D! Promise?”
Daisy laughed and turned off her night lamp. “Yes, I promise.”
The next evening, Daisy found herself in the foyer, dressed and ready an hour early. Her nerves hummed like sparks of electricity. Tonight was the welcome-home barbecue at Rebecca and Charlie’s home. Tonight, she’d see him again.
Since his return, she hadn’t wanted to bombard him. They’d spoken briefly, but she wanted to give him room to settle. Now, though, she could hardly sit still.
“Ready awfully early, aren’t you?” Her mother raised an eyebrow at her pacing.
“Just… excited to see everyone,” Daisy hedged.
“All of them or just one?” Dena asked, her smile sly.
Daisy nearly choked. “Yes—all of them.”
Dena curtly nodded and grabbed her keys. “Sean, we are leaving in five minutes, with or without you!”
Daisy followed her mother out to the car and five slow minutes rolled by before Sean hopped into the back seat.
A while later, they pulled into the Kingstons’ packed driveway. Sean immediately jumped out of the car, lightly jogging into the house. Daisy wanted to join him, but played itcool, not wanting to act on her excitement, especially since her mother was clearly onto her.
Once inside, they spotted Margot near the staircase. Dena and Daisy went to greet her.
Dena tightly hugged Margot. “Welcome home. We are so sorry for your loss. Philip wishes he could’ve come, but he is traveling for work.”
“Thank you for that, and thank you for coming. I can’t tell you how good it is to be home.”
Then her eyes softened as she hugged Daisy. “The boys are in the backyard. I know Jameson is dying to see you.”
Daisy’s cheeks flushed.
Do our mothers know?
“Thanks, Margot. I’m happy you’re home,” Daisy quickly said before heading to the backyard.
Outside, laughter and music floated through the air. Daisy spotted him instantly—longer hair, broader shoulders, still devastatingly Jameson. And the second his eyes found hers, it was like no time had passed at all.
“Daisy!” Lenny barreled into her first, sweeping her off her feet. Kyler followed close behind with a hug of his own. Her heart swelled; she’d missed them all.
Then Jameson pushed them aside with mock annoyance. “All right, enough. We all know who she really missed.”
And then he was holding her. Familiar scent, warm strength, lips close to her ear. “I missed you so much,darlin’.”
She held him tighter. Words felt unnecessary.
Later, her phone buzzed.
