I smiled. “She doesn’t want the world, Dre. She wants you.”
I got up and walked toward the door before stopping to turn around. “If you have any doubts at all, she won’t say no.” She smiled and shooed me away without another word.
After I left her office, the front door opened, and I was pleasantly surprised when Cara walked in. She said something to Fallon who hugged her and rubbed her shoulder. Cara gave her a sad smile and walked to the counter.
“Hey, Cara. How are you?” She rounded the counter and gave me a hug without a word. She shrugged, and I could see the defeated look on her face.
Drea came out from the back as soon as Cara walked to the other side of the counter. “Another date gone wrong?” she asked.
“Drea!” I admonished. “Why would that be your first guess?”
She shrugged. “No, she’s right,” Cara cut in. “She’s always right. Do you have a minute?”
Drea walked over and hugged her. “For you, always, love. Let’s go to my office. Kaia, I was just coming out to tell you to go to lunch. You haven’t taken one today.” She smiled, and Cara followed her to the back.
I rolled my eyes with a smile. “Yes, mother.”
Drea was always making sure I took a break. Even if I tried to tell her I was too busy or not hungry, she’d make me take one anyway. That was one thing I loved about her. She was such a compassionate person, and it had only grown since being with Blair. She would sell her entire store if that was what Blair wanted.
After I told the girls I was going on break, I got my bag and sent Daisy a text on my way out:
Me: Hey! I’m on break. Just wanted to check in. Are you doing okay? I know you want a quiet day, so I’m hoping your notifications are off. So whenever you see this, just know I’m thinking of you and I hope your day is going good.
I couldn’t hide the smile on my face as I saw the three dots appear. They disappeared before reappearing, and then her text came through:
My sunny girl: Hey, doodle! Thanks for checking in. Yeah, I’m doing okay. They were off, but I happened to glance at my phone, and I’d never ignore a text from you I hope work is going okay, and I’ll see you tonight!
My sunny girl: Oh, I almost forgot! Girls’ night is this weekend. Don’t forget!
Me: Thanks for reminding me! I’ll be there. Where are we going again?
My sunny girl: Go-karts… duh! Then drinks? I’ll drive!
Me: That sounds nice, actually. I gotta head back in. See you tonight!
She sent me a waving emoji, and I smiled, before putting my phone away and heading back inside.
I was looking forward to hanging out with her friends. It had been a few months since the last time I saw them, and they were all so sweet to me. I felt like I fit in with them, like they were my second family. The end of my shift couldn’t come fast enough.
Chapter Seventeen
DAISY
Me: Are you about ready to go?
Doodle: Yes! Sorry, I had a wardrobe malfunction. Coming!
Not ten seconds later, Kaia’s door swung open.
“Wow,” I said when she came into view.
She was wearing a black romper with way too much cleavage showing, and I couldn’t look away even if I wanted to.
“What? Is it too much? I just wanted to be comfy.” She shrugged.
“That depends. Too much what? Clothing? Who are you looking like that for?”
Pink tinted her cheeks. “You don’t like it? I just wanted to be comfortable, but I can change if you think it’s bad.”
