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“What can we get you, Penn?” Asks the eldest of the three with an over-the-top wink, and I can’t help but grin.
“Cappuccino for me and whatever you want, Daisy.”
Daisy huffs but doesn’t argue. “Just a turkey bagel sandwich, please.”
The cashier doesn’t seem to have noticed Daisy was speaking. “Would you mind terribly taking a picture with us behind the counter, Penn? We’re allsuchbig fans. We’re so excited for season four!”
The others nod in agreement, and biting back my embarrassment, I step around to the back of the counter, only to have several other employees hurry over to press against my sides as the first woman shoves her bejeweled phone into Daisy’s hands.
Her expression is tight as she takes the picture, and I’m internally seething that something like this would happennow.
Why now?
By the time I sign a piece of receipt paper and make it back around the counter, she’s gone.
I weave through the throngs of curious customers to duck outside. Is me chasing her out of food service establishments going to be our thing now? Or will we someday be able to sit down and share a meal or drink without her fleeing my presence?
Daisy hasn’t run, though.
She’s stopped on the sidewalk just outside the coffee shop, a finger in one ear and her phone pressed against the other, frowning in concentration.
“Sure! Of course, I can! Does three- No? Oh, that’s even better. I’ll see you then. Thanks, Mike!”
When she hangs up the call, Daisy is beaming, and I feel my stomach sink, watching her shove her phone back into her purse.
Who the hell isMike?
What did he say to her to get her that happy?
“I’ve got to run.”
“To see Mike?” I can’t disguise the jealousy and distaste in my voice, and I see the moment when it registers with her why I’m behaving like a child.
“Yes.” She replies calmly, adjusting the strap of her bag over her shoulder. “He’s my boss. One of my coworkers has decided to start her maternity leave early, so he asked me to step in and take her classes. I’ll be busy. So, if you’re here to ask me to take that assistant job again, you can forget it. I don’t want any part of… that.” She jerks her chin back toward the coffee shop.
My heart sinks. Truth be told, I’m not sure I want any part ofthateither these days.
“Got it.” I step back, giving her a tight smile. “If you tell me the address, I’ll order lunch for you since you never got your bagel.”
Daisy’s shoulders slump. “I’m sorry, that was judgmental. I know you’ve worked really hard to get here. I’m glad you’re happy. I’m proud of you, Penn. I swear, I am.”
She’s sweet to say it, but I’ve known her all her life. I know when she’s lying. Who could blame her for hating the spotlight the way she does? Phillip never shielded her from the press, never bothered to ask whatshewanted.
To her, fame is a nightmare, and my stepping into that world was tantamount to betrayal.
I ache to pull her into my arms, to fix all the broken pieces of our relationship, but all I can do is smile at her and relieve her guilt. “It’s fine, Daisy. Really. I get it. That was a lot in there.”
She still looks unhappy. “I have to run. What did you want to talk to me about?”
I wanted to be a selfish, possessive asshole and take her away from a job she loves and is passionate about because I want her close to me. So that I can soak up all the light she brings to my life while throwing yet another brick atop the massive wall between us.
Her boss, her father’s best friend, hell, the whole damn country’s now, but nothers.
“Nothing.” I step back, my newly found optimism draining away. “I’m glad you got offered the extra classes. Much better than organizing my mail.”
The corner of her lips twitch, and the summer breeze ruffles the ends of her pin hair. Standing there in the sunshine, she looks so beautiful it makes my heart ache.
What would our relationship have been if we’d met like this? If I’d walked into that coffee shop at the exact right time and worked up the courage to say something to the beautiful woman in front of me.
