“It’s okay,” she said, cheeks hot and happy. “Later.”
Later took its sweet time.
Jameson and the guys were rushed around for a number of interviews, while Daisy waited in the background, observing what was playing out in front of her. Harley facilitated the entire thing. She marched the guys from journalist to journalist, maximizing every mic. Daisy could at least admire her work ethic.
After what seemed like hours of interviews, they headed back to the hotel. Sean and Anna had left immediately following the show, lost to the world as far as anyone was concerned.
“Are they coming?” Lenny inquired, pulling the key card out of his hotel room door.
“I texted her on our way back and invited her up. All she said was, ‘You may need to find somewhere else to sleep.’”
Daisy’s face contorted at the thought of Anna and her brother. She would most certainly be finding an alternative place to crash tonight, ideally in the bed of her boyfriend.
Still on cloud nine from the festival, they stayed up late rehashing the night’s events. When midnight hit, Jameson nudged Daisy’s side, prompting her to look at him. “Are you ready?”
Was she?
Daisy let a beat stretch before she answered, “Yes.”
They said good night to Lenny and Kyler, and Jameson laced his fingers through hers, leading her to his room. The suite overlooked the town. Daisy stood at the window, watching the small snake of headlights move below.
“Do you want something to drink? I’m stocked in here and it’s all free.” He motioned to the minibar.
She looked over her shoulder and shrugged. “Maybe some ginger ale.”
He nodded and smiled her way. “Okay.”
Her heart was beating erratically. She needed a moment to herself, out of his presence. “I’m gonna use the restroom.”
She slipped inside and splashed cool water on her face. In the mirror, she looked both like herself but not—still Daisy, just braver.
Breathe, just breathe.
Grabbing Jameson’s discarded sweatshirt, she quickly slipped out of her concert clothes and put it on over her undergarments.
She warily stepped out of the bathroom, finding Jameson sitting on the edge of the bed, staring down at his phone. His eyes landed on hers before taking in the full length of her body. The gray sweatshirt lay just below her bottom. A simple lift of the arms would reveal that almost nothing remained underneath.
“Are you sure?” he asked.
She moved between his knees, voice a little shaky. “Yes. I’m sure.”
He stood, drawing her close. “I love you, Daisy Daniels.”
“I know.” She rose on her toes and kissed him. He groaned into her mouth, and the rest fell away—his hands in her hair, her fingers on his smooth jaw. Then he lifted her and laid her back on the cool duvet.
They took their time. There was laughter and the type of anxiousness that made everything sweeter; there were pauses to make sure they were both ready and safe, whispered affirmations, and promises that this could be slow. When they crossed the line they’d been circling for years, their world narrowed to the faint cadence of breath and the stable press of his forehead to hers. It was tender and a little clumsy but completely theirs.
After, they stayed quiet and unmoving in each other’s embrace as they drifted off into a sedated sleep.
Daisy woke slowly, a smile forming as the night prior returned in pieces. Jameson was already propped on an elbow, watching her like he couldn’t quite believe she was real.
“Good morning,” he said, pulling her close. “How do you feel?”
“Great,” she whispered against his collarbone, “but a little sore.”
He kissed her hair. “Anything I can get you? I have some Advil in my bag.”
“I’m okay.” Her cheeks flushed. “But thank you.”
