Total pages in book: 76
Estimated words: 72028 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 360(@200wpm)___ 288(@250wpm)___ 240(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 72028 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 360(@200wpm)___ 288(@250wpm)___ 240(@300wpm)
Like she had.
Tears pierced her eyes because the words were a balm to her soul. “You’re really okay with me trying this thing with Nate?”
“Of course I’m okay with it. You fell for a boy. Baby, I did that, too, and it was the best decision of my life. And no matter what your da says, it was fast and furious, and I was scared out of my mind,” her mother said. “This is when you need to be Daisy O’Donnell. Toss the fear out and do what you need to do.”
She wanted to do nothing more. “And if it all goes wrong?”
A smile crossed her mother’s face. “Then you’ll get up off the floor, dust yourself off, and do what you do magnificently. You’ll try again. You’ll do it with a whole heart because nothing can break you. I’ll handle your father.”
“I think it’s going to be harder than it sounds.” Nate stood in the doorway, another tray in his hands. “Sorry to interrupt but Mum is cooking up a storm, and she asked me to bring these out to you. I think Liam doesn’t want anyone around his daughter, but he has to see she needs someone. I’m not going to apologize for what happened between me and Daisy, but I will tell you I’m sorry it’s caused a riff.”
“Nathan.” Her mother stood and held her arms open. “I’m happy you’re here. I’m sorry I didn’t tell you earlier. I was distracted. Of course that’s not entirely my fault. You didn’t come by the house when you got into town.”
He shrugged. “Well, if I had, things might not have gone the way they did.”
“Oh, do you mean I wouldn’t have tried to seduce you?” Somehow the minute he was in her presence she felt less guilty, less worried. Being around Nate made her feel more like herself. He centered her and allowed her to be who she truly was. “Because I still would have. I just might have put on a better disguise.”
Her mother chuckled, but her cheeks were stained pink. “I don’t know if a disguise would work, sweetie. I’m afraid the kink version of a masquerade is like everything else—just play. I’m glad you had fun. I know it’s been frustrating for you.”
Beyond frustrating, but mostly because she’d been looking for something real.
Nate set the tray on the table. There were two beers on the tray along with cookies and more sandwiches. “Mum hasn’t been able to get in touch with Dad. Any idea what Liam’s planning?”
“My husband is planning on saving his daughter,” her mother explained. “I believe he’s going to try to find a way to get rid of the head of the cartel by starting a war. Yeah. I wish I still didn’t find that sexy.”
“Mum is worried,” Nate said.
“Am not.” Steph Carter stepped out with a bowl of what looked like fruit salad. “I would like updates, but I think this could be good for Brody. He’s been missing his old job.”
“Well, I’m glad Liam’s not alone. He’ll be a good influence on Li. Brody is excellent at talking an unreasonable person down,” Avery said as she looked over the now expansive spread on the table. “You have made enough to feed a small army.”
Steph shook her head. “Nope. I’m hoping I made enough. My boy can eat.”
Daisy looked over, and Nate already had a plate piled high with food. Like more food than she could have imagined.
He flushed and started to put his plate down.
Nothing had changed. She was still all in with this man. And her mother was right. If the cat was out of the bag, then she was going to be herself. She picked up a cookie and moved over, placing herself right on his lap, her arm going around his shoulders.
Nate’s lips curled up as she put the cookie to them, and he ate it up in one bite, gently nipping at her fingers. She lowered her mouth to his.
“Oh, I… Well, we should probably get used to it since we’re stuck here for a couple of days,” Steph said.
Her mother chuckled. “It’s kind of nice to be around young love.” There was a pause. “Daisy, we are still here. We do not need to see that.”
It was just a little tongue. “We’re in a club, Mom.”
“A club that is not open,” her mother replied primly.
Her cell went off again. Another text. This one from Hunter McKay.
Hey, Dais, hope to see you at play night next weekend.
Maybe her da could fix all of this before next weekend. It would be fun to show off her gorgeous Dom. It would be awesome to try to find some normalcy.
“How about we have a nice tea?” Steph said. “Daisy, tell me all about what you’ve been doing lately. It’s been so long.”