“You’re too good at saying all the right things and making it sound so easy. Don’t be the man anyone else thinks you are. Be yourself. Any man who takes care of his family the way you do is a good person at heart. You’d be much happier with yourself if you’d be that man all the time. Fighting against your inherent nature only makes you miserable. No one is asking you to change who you are. Maybe we’re asking you to finally be the man we already know you to be.”
I couldn’t feel more exposed if I were standing in front of my high school English class buck naked. She sees through the cracks in my mask, past the façade of the cold, detached man I show the world. Despite my best attempts to scare her off, she genuinely likes the real me.
“Give me one more chance to prove myself to you. That’s all I need. You won’t regret it.”
She presses her lips together and softly shakes her head. I can almost see the wheels turning in her mind while her eyes bounce around the room, careful to avoid meeting mine.
“All right, I’ll try your plan for the next few days. We should know in that time if we both still feel a spark. But I’ll warn you once more. This time, it’s complete honesty or nothing, Rod. That’s not asking too much. It shows you respect me. I won’t accept anything less.’
“On my mom’s good name, I give you my word. I’ve been hot and cold, all in and all out, and a complete wishy-washy pussy. But I’ve also been miserable without you. All that bullshit is behind me. I won’t disappoint you again.”
“I don’t expect perfection, so you don’t have to make lofty promises. Just be the man you hide from the rest of the world.”
“Fair enough. You want him, you’ve got him for as long as you’ll have him.”
When I lean closer to press my lips against hers, there’s no way I can deny my feelings for her are real and powerful. The fire burning between us is hot enough to spontaneously combust, and a simple touch from her is like throwing gasoline on an open flame. A soft moan escapes her throat and I feel it touch my soul. Her fingers thread through my hair, pulling me closer, and I deepen the kiss.
She pushes against me when my tongue glides against hers, deliberately slow and sensual. If the increasing heat in this room is any indication, I’d say the spark has lit the fuse inside Daisy, and she could join me in reaching the temperature of the sun at any moment. Not wanting to rush the moment, I slow our feverish pace. With my forehead leaned against hers and my hands cupping her face, I close my eyes and relish the tender moment with her.
“You’re the best part of me.”
My whispered confession comes straight from my heart. Drops of pure love fall from her eyes and roll over my fingers. Then I softly kiss her eyelids until her tears dry and offer a silent thank you to the universe for giving us one more shot.
CHAPTER FIVE
Daisy
I’m not naïve or stupid. This charade between us will last through the holidays, while we’re away from home and we’ve suspended reality, then it’ll fizzle and disappear when we return to Atlanta. Juliana is out of the hospital and she said she’s having the best Christmas for as far back as she can remember. Isa has her mom here, so Rod can still play the part of the fun, carefree uncle. For the time being, his only responsibility is his company, and that’s the only thing he’s fully committed to besides his small family.
The best I can hope is our time together makes it easier to decide what I should do. Hopefully, the next two weeks will provide an answer. I have no delusions Rod and I will fall madly in love and live happily ever after together. I washed away those silly dreams with the outgoing tide in Punta Cana. I’m more concerned with how we’ll co-parent, or I should say, if we do. As long as we can remain friends once the fleeting desires wane, I’ll consider that a win.
The problem is, I’m not immune to his charms. His smooth lines, appealing smile, and tempting personality are nearly irresistible. His promises sound so sincere, making me dare to wish they were real. He’s dangerous to my mental health because I’m constantly questioning my sanity around him. When he kisses me, I lose any semblance of reason and self-control and I forget why I shouldn’t trust him with my heart or my body.
“Daisy, we’re singing Christmas carols, roasting marshmallows around the firepit, and blending piña coladas—your favorite frozen drink.” Dad walks in to get more rum and ice. “Come outside with us. Rod looks lost without you.”
“Okay, let me finish wrapping this present for Marlee and I’ll be right out. Landen insisted on getting her a gift from him. No alcohol for me, though.”
He stops and studies me for a moment. “All right. There are still plenty of marshmallows to go around. Join us when you’re finished.”
“Right behind you.”
After I put my sister’s present under the tree, I join the rest of my family and friends around the pool area. Mom is grilling steaks at the outdoor kitchen while Dad stokes the firepit with more wood. My extended family occupies all the lounge chairs, mostly couples snuggled up and singing familiar carols. Granted, it’s mostly poor singing, but with a lot of gusto.
I glance around the tiki-lit pool until my eyes stop on Rod. He’s sipping a tequila sunrise, but he fixes his gaze on me. The smoldering hot intensity in
