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I open my window as Brett reaches me first.
“Hey buddy,” he says, bending down to look at me. “I thought that was your truck.”
“Hey.” I clear my throat, trying to avoid looking at Daisy. “Just came to pick up a cake. Then I had a few other things to do around town afterward.”
Brett doesn’t seem to notice my lie. “Me and Daisy are grabbing a pizza to go then heading back to my place. Wanna come?”
A million excuses bubble up in my throat. I shouldn’t go anywhere with Brett and Daisy together. He’ll probably see my feelings toward his sister written all over my face. But fuck, I can’t resist a chance to spend more time with Daisy.
“Sure. Sounds good.”
Brett grunts his approval. “Me and Daisy are just walking over to pick it up now. Why don’t you wait for us up at the cabin?”
“Okay, I’ll see you there.”
For a second, I let my gaze flicker to Daisy. She’s illuminated by a nearby streetlamp, her eyes glittering at me, and I have to force myself to look away. With a wave at Brett, I start my truck and head for Snowfall Ridge, my whole body thrumming with anticipation.
It’s just pizza. We’re just eating a meal together. Her brother will be right there.
But still, the thought of spending the evening with Daisy is tying my chest in knots as I ignore the turning for my cabin and continue further up the mountain path toward Brett’s. Ever since I’ve known him, my best friend has loved the mountains. I’m pretty sure he knows more about Snowfall Ridge than any mountain man alive.
I open the front door with Brett’s hidden key and get a fire going in the hearth as I wait for them to arrive. A few minutes later, I hear the sound of Brett’s truck followed by a smaller vehicle, presumably Daisy’s car. Brett shoulders open the cabin door holding three boxes stacked on top of one another, nodding when he sees me.
“I got you plain cheese. Hope that’s still your favorite. And before you ask, no you can’t pay me back. My treat.”
“Thanks, buddy.”
Brett hands me a hot pizza box just as Daisy walks in. She looks so fucking adorable all bundled up in her coat and scarf, and I have to stop myself from pulling her into my arms to warm her up.
“So Linc,” Brett says as he sits on the chair opposite me and opens up his pizza box, grabbing a thick, cheesy slice. “You getting married or something?”
Daisy looks up so fast that I hear her neck crack, and I frown in confusion. “No. The hell are you talking about?”
Brett chuckles. “Usually that’s why people go to Heavenly Cakes. Weddings.”
“I was just picking up an order for Nash. It’s his wife’s birthday tomorrow.”
Brett and I start to talk about Nash and Ava and the Marion Retreat. I’ve seen Brett several times since I came back to Winterdale, but there’s always more to catch up on: ten years is a long time to spend apart from your best friend. But even though I like talking to Brett, tonight, I’m distracted as hell. I’m only half listening to what he’s saying, and despite having the appetite of a damn bull most of the time, I keep forgetting that I’m supposed to be eating the pizza in front of me. All I can focus on is Daisy. I can see her in my peripheral vision sitting cross-legged in front of the fire, watching us. Each time she speaks, that sweet little voice makes my skin tingle, but I don’t dare look at her with Brett sitting right there. I’m convinced that if I look at her, I won’t be able to look away.
I can’t stop thinking of her standing with that guy at the bakery. It’s none of my business if Daisy’s dating somebody or not…but dammit, try telling that to my brain.
“Shit,” Brett says, pulling my attention back to him. “I forgot to pick up a cheesecake from the store. What time is it?”
“Nearly seven,” Daisy says, checking her phone.
“Good, it’ll still be open.” Brett gets up and pulls on his coat. “I’ll be back in ten minutes.”
“You don’t have to—” I begin, my throat tightening.
Brett waves off my words. “It’s not a selfless act, Linc. I want some damn cheesecake.”
Before I can object, Brett grabs his keys and leaves me and Daisy alone. The air is thick between us, and the silence presses down on me as I try to think of what to say. Making conversation with a real-life angel isn’t easy. I’m not a talkative guy at the best of times, but Daisy’s got me totally tongue-tied.
“So, Linc,” she pipes up, forcing me to look at her. My heart jolts at the sight of her sitting in front of the fire, her pretty green eyes glimmering in the light of the flames. There’s a smudge of pizza sauce on her cheek, and it makes her look even more adorable. “How’s life treating you back in Crave County?”
I fumble for an answer to her simple question. “I…yeah, good. It’s good to be home. It’s been a long time.”
She smiles and pushes herself up off the floor, joining me at the table. “It has. But you haven’t changed much.”
