It’s pointless.
He is every woman’s wet dream, probably even some men’s, and I’m not going to cry because he kept us from doing something majorly stupid. I’m going to be a realist and remember that I have my own dreams and plans.
I’m going to get back to reality and stop being distracted.
Banging from downstairs pulls me out of a fitful sleep. Sitting up groggily, I look down to see I’m still wearing what I had on yesterday. I didn’t even take a shower. I didn’t have dinner. My stomach growls, and I realize I’m starving.
Clinking noises greet my ears, and I wonder what the hell is going on down there.
Dull thumping on the stairs precedes the sound of my cousin’s voice. “Daisy! Are you planning to sleep all day?”
“Sly?” I throw back the covers and jump out of bed, running down the stairs.
“Hey, Daisy Kate!”
“Sly!” My voice goes high, and we throw our arms around each other, jumping up and down as we hug and laugh.
“What are you doing here?”
“Just stopping by before I head to Mom’s. She said you were fixing this place up, but damn girl!” Her arm is around my shoulder as she looks around the kitchen. “This is amazing! Are you expecting Harry and Meghan? It’s like a royal country house.”
“You think?”
“This cute little teapot, and… Is that a giant metal rooster? Where did you find that?”
“Owen’s junkyard… I got the teapot off eBay and this amazing chair from Dad’s…”
Her navy eyes widen. “If you found any of this in Owen Pepper’s junkyard, I need to get back over there.”
“How are you doing? Are you all done with school?”
“I wouldn’t be here if I wasn’t.” She puts her hands on her hips, smiling proudly. “I’m a certified massage therapist, specializing in sports therapy, reflexology, and aromatherapy.”
“Aromatherapy!”
“I couldn’t let my flowers go.”
“Well, congratulations! We need to celebrate.”
I’m so happy to see her. Sly is tall, but curvy with pale skin and auburn hair that hangs to her waist. I’ve always wanted to be more like her. She’s smart and fearless, and she’s always been more like a sister to me than a first cousin.
That strange clinking noise draws my attention, and I realize we’re not alone. A little boy is standing in the corner by the door watching us with giant blue eyes. He’s holding a set of keys, which I assume are my cousin’s, and he looks about four.
“Who is this?” I smile and walk over to squat beside him. “Hi, little fella.”
“Daisy, meet Oliver.” The little boy looks at me, not smiling.
“Hi, Oliver!” I pat his little shoulder. He holds out the keys to me, and I smile, taking them. “Did you drive Sly’s car from Charleston?”
He only shakes his little blond head, not speaking. “Well, you’re a cutie.”
I give his hair a gentle muss before going to where my cousin waits, smiling fondly at the little boy. “Who’s Oliver?”
“One of the girls in my class, Courtney? She had some… business… to take care of.” My cousin gives me a look, and I know I’ll have to get the rest of the story when we’re alone. “I offered to keep him for the weekend.”
“Is everything okay?”
She inhales slowly, shaking her head. “I hope so. I’m just being a friend.” Walking to where Oliver is waiting, she claps her hands, and he holds up his arms, jumping as she lifts him onto her hip like it’s the most natural thing in the world. “That’s why I’ve got to get over to Mom’s. This little guy needs breakfast, and we need to get unpacked. You coming over later?”
“I wasn’t planning to, but I will now. I can’t wait to hear all about everything. Are you planning to stay here in Fireside?”
“Haven’t decided. It’ll depend on the market. You know.”
I follow her out and wait at the top step as she unlocks her minivan.
“A minivan?” I can’t help teasing her. “How many kids are you planning to have?”
“Have to be able to get my table around and all my crap.”
“Oh, right.” I wave as she straps the little boy in his booster chair. “See you guys.”
Walking back into the house, I put water in the kettle and prep the coffee. I have a Keurig for when we have guests, but when it’s just me, I use the pour-over.
Scout said he’d stop by today, and my insides are all shaky and nervous. I hate it. We’ve always had more of an easy, laid-back relationship… with me crushing on him from afar. Now after last night’s unexpected moment, I can’t help thinking everything has changed.
Shaking my hands, I start up the stairs. I have to put all that behind me and finish my work on the master suite. I’ve got wallpaper to hang and painting to do. The plumber is coming Monday to finish the tub, and I want to have the bathroom finished this week.
Changing into a pair of ratty sweatpants and an old tee, I jog downstairs to pour my coffee into a Yeti insulated mug and then back up to get started.
My hair is just long enough to be pulled back in a tiny ponytail, I cue up the Xanadu soundtrack on my Spotify, and focus on manual labor and not yesterday’s road trip and what happened afterward.
Wallpaper isn’t hard to hang, especially the peel and stick kind. The hardest part is lining up the lines so it looks like a real drawing. My mind is focused on cutting straight lines and hanging it perfectly, so I don’t even notice it’s after lunch until my phone starts buzzing in my pocket.
“I just made Ma’s famous pimento and cheese.” Sly is on the line. “Take a break and come eat lunch with us.”
A quick check in the mirror says I’m not that big of a mess. “Okay, but just for a half-hour.
