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“Okay, it’s settled. We’ll show them what we think of their Cupid and come out of the holidays unscathed, unloved, and ready for Valentine’s Day.”
Daisy clapped her hands and rubbed them together. “Sounds perfect.”
I closed the gap between us and gave her a quick hug. “See you soon, buddy.”
“See ya,” Daisy said, smiling. “And thanks again for letting me work for you. It will help keep my savings intact.”
I shook my head. “We’re the lucky ones. You were amazing last year. I know everyone will be thrilled when they hear the good news. I’ll text you later with my address.” I started toward the door.
“Sounds good.”
I could feel her gaze on me all the way to the door, and I wished that I could bottle up all these emotions and feelings washing over me. I was so worried that the moment I left her house, they’d disappear.
Daisy walked in front of me and opened the door, hanging on it as she smiled at me. “You know, Hunter? I think I was wrong about you.”
“I hope I can make last year up to you, Daisy.”
“You already have, Hunter.” Her eyes stayed on mine, and if I hadn’t just hired her again, I would have stopped to kiss her.
Chapter Seven
Daisy
After my battery had been changed out in Foxy, I’d packed everything I needed for the next two weeks, loaded it in my car, and took off for Madison this morning. I was only five minutes from Hunter’s apartment, and my pulse quickened with each passing mile.
That day I’d spent with him decorating my tree, eating junk food, and drinking beer was something I didn’t even know I needed. But for the first time in years, I didn’t dread decorating the tree. Memories didn’t overload me and turn me into a crying mess of epic proportions.
I’d made it through a tradition that, in recent years, had been filled with pain and grief more than anything.
Sure, if you asked anybody who knew me if I ever had down days, they’d probably laugh as the wordnevertumbled from their lips.
But it wasn’t true. One thing I’d come to understand in life was that often, the most outwardly happy and kind people carried the most heartache, shed the most hidden tears, and laughed the loudest. No one would ever expect that I’d run from any kind of love for nearly a decade or that I’d shied away from deep relationships.
Because I always laughed the loudest.
I alsoalwaysvolunteered to help the Sunshine Breakfast Club with their side gig of matchmaking so that I’d never be their target.
And look where that had gotten me.
I chuckled at the thought as my phone’s GPS told me to turn at the next corner, where a modern, towering apartment building overlooked Lake Mendota. I pulled into the parking garage and looked for the parking spot number he’d given me.
My pulse started racing as each number ticked closer to the parking space. The moment I found it, I took a deep breath and slowly edged my way into the parking spot.
Staying with him would be fine. It was only two weeks.
Turning my car off, I let out the breath I’d been holding and loosened my fingers from the unintentional death grip on my steering wheel.
Hunter had sent me a code for the elevator and his apartment door. He’d mentioned he probably wouldn’t be back from the bar in time to greet me, which took some of the stress out of things.
Not that I thought I’d walk into his apartment and suddenly want to kiss him.
Although, there were multiple occasions the other day when I’d hoped he’d pull me into his arms and kiss me.
It all goes back to that weird thing about Hunter.
He just looked like he was a kissable man.
I rolled my eyes at myself and silently vowed to behave.
