Page 99 of You Said I Was Your Favorite

It doesn’t even matter. I’d give up everything to see her smile like that at me again.

* * *

“Sit with us,”I practically demand as I steer Daisy into the dining hall. It’s lunch hour and while I love being with Daisy alone, I realize we need to spend time together out in public. Amongst our class. With my friends.

“Okay,” she says, her voice light, though I see the flicker of panic in her gaze. I know why she’s agreeing so easily.

She’s still feeling on top of the world being ranked number one and she has every right to. I want my friends to see her at her best. I want to show her off.

But not too much. Those bastards even think about touching her and I’ll crush them into pieces.

Jesus, I need to chill.

“I’m going to get a salad,” she tells me, pausing when her gaze lands on someone standing behind me. “Oh hey, Edie.”

“Hey, you two.” I turn to see my sister’s amused gaze locking with mine and I scowl at her. “Stop it, Archibald. Your fake grumpiness doesn’t affect me.”

Chuckling, I give my girlfriend a gentle push toward my sister. “Go get rabbit food together while I grab something with more substance.”

Daisy waves at me, her expression helpless when Edie grabs her arm and steers her toward the salad bar.

I’m standing in line, placing two cheeseburgers on my tray when JJ sidles up next to me. “Bro, what’s up?”

“Not much. I’m starving.” I grab a basket of fries and pop one in my mouth. “What’s going on with you?”

“The usual. Mya is talking about a party this weekend. You two need to come to it.” He’s meaning me and Daisy. “People are starting to talk, Lancaster.”

“Talk about what?”

“You and Daisy. It’s like you two are together, we can all see it, but you never go anywhere together socially.”

“We spend time together.” I shrug, not wanting to admit too much. I’m protective of my relationship with Daisy.

I’m flat out protective of Daisy.

“Alone. In hiding.” JJ grins. “Come on. It’s time to put yourselves out there.”

“That’s not on me. That’s a Daisy thing.” We pay for our food and I wait for Daisy and Edie before I head for our table, JJ standing with me. “I can’t push her too hard.”

“Why not?” JJ frowns.

“She’s not like that.”

“What’s she like then? What do you see in her anyway?” He sounds genuinely curious. How do I explain to him that with Daisy, she doesn’t care who I am or what I’m worth or any of that bullshit. She just accepts me for who I am.

“She’s…sweet.” She also kisses like a fucking dream and is always down to mess around with me. She’s as into me as I am into her and the best part?

We don’t argue. Well sometimes I’m a hothead and I set her off too but for the most part, we get along.

And I love it. She makes things easy.

“She’s hot,” JJ adds, making me frown.

“Stay the fuck away from her,” I growl.

He laughs. “You’ve got it so fucking bad. Wish I knew what was so great about her.”

If he’s fishing for details, I’m not telling him a single thing.

Source: www.allfreenovel.com