“I’m happy to see you, too,” Matt said gently, “but there’s clearly something wrong.”
She blew out a jagged breath. “It wasn’t a great night. And I’d rather not talk about it right now.”
His brows furrowed, concern etched across his face. He didn’t push, but the silence between them pressed heavy, his eyespleading for her to let him in. She knew she would, just not tonight. Not like this.
So she reached for another escape.
“Take me to bed,” Daisy whispered, her voice trembling.
Matt hesitated, but when she slipped the buttons of her white dress free and let the fabric fall away, leaving only lace, his hesitation broke. He followed her into the bedroom.
The sun was just expanding over the horizon and the cold air was as bitter as ever when Matt found Daisy on the small balcony off the living room, wrapped in a sheepskin blanket. She drew on a cigarette and exhaled into the pale light. He watched a beat before stepping outside and taking the chair beside her.
She didn’t look at him. She only stared at the rising sun and thought… about everything.
After a quiet minute, Matt took the cigarette from her fingers and tried it. He coughed immediately. Daisy bubbled out a laugh.
“First time?”
He shook his head and handed it back. “Unfortunately not, but it might be my last. I didn’t know you smoked.”
“Thisismy first time,” she said, eyes still focused in the distance.
“I find that hard to believe. No one just has a pack lying around if they don’t plan to use it.”
“It’s from a white elephant exchange last year. I was saving them for a rainy day and let’s just say that last night was a damn monsoon.”
He watched her take another puff, then crush the ember. She folded the blanket tighter and waited for the question.
“I’m sorry I missed your event. I tried to make it back on time, but my flight got delayed. What happened last night, Daisy?”
She wiped a lone tear and looked up, begging God to steady her. “Amelia’s father happened. He showed up.”
Matt didn’t gasp or instantly react. He only sat back in his chair and stroked the stubble on his chin. Daisy watched as he reflected, as he searched for the right words to say.
Just like most people in her life, he knew little of Amelia’s biological father. He was almost as clueless as her daughter.
“I’m going to need you to further explain. Was last night the first time you’ve seen him since he left?”
She flinched. When asked, she’d always told people that Amelia’s father had left her to chase music. The truth was she’d left, and she’d kept her daughter a secret.
“No.”
Matt let out a lungful of air, rested his elbows on his knees, and then waited for her to continue.
Daisy bit her lip and shivered. “He came into the gallery last week with a woman who wanted to buy a piece. Total accident. He had no idea I owned the place. I panicked and bolted, figuring that would be it.”
“But it wasn’t?”
She shook her head. “He came back the following Monday. Said he needed to talk and get things off his chest. I said no, but he pressed and promised never to bother me again if I gave him five minutes. So I met him for coffee the next day. He apologized for everything and I left thinking I’d never see him again.”
“Then last night.”
She rolled her eyes at the memory. “He showed up with his cousin, which was actually… nice. And the night was surprisingly decent until—” She stopped, replaying the scene.
“Until?”
“Until Amelia showed up. She was sick, and Mom was watching her. I didn’t think there was any chance… but you know my mom. Her Achilles’ heel is that girl.”
