“Yeah, you should come see it, Miss Daisy. We love it.” Isa’s eyes are as big as saucers, and her smile lights up her entire face.
“You two can show me everything before we go to bed. I can’t wait to see it.”
All the while, mentally I’m calculating the age difference between Landen, Isa, and the little bundle of joy who will be making a grand entrance into the world in six months or so.
“Rod, that look suits you perfectly.” Kevin breaks my trance with his observation. Apparently, everyone else feels the need to turn and take in the scene at the same time. “Beautiful lady curled up at your side, a couple of kids in your lap, and the most content expression I’ve ever seen on your face. That’s saying something, because I’ve known you a long time. Yeah, you couldn’t be any happier if you tried.”
Rod looks down at the kids then me, surprise registering on his face as if he didn’t comprehend the scene Kevin described until just now. “You’re right, I am happy. There’s only one thing that could make me even happier than I am right now, and that’s if we found a tissue match for Juliana. That would be the ultimate present and make my Christmas complete. I’d even accept that as a New Year’s present. I’m not picky.”
Sexy boyfriend? Check.
Happy son? Check.
Eternal bliss? Going, going, gone.
CHAPTER NINE
Rod
“You’re embarrassing me with the way you’re undressing me with your eyes. I’m running around naked in your mind again, aren’t I?” I waggle my eyebrows at Daisy. She’s kicked back on the settee in this enormous guest bedroom. Though her family didn’t come from money, they’ve more than made up for that since then. Now I know why my wealth didn’t faze her.
“You caught me. But, in my defense, it’s all your fault. It’s hard not to imagine you naked when you’re literally taking your clothes off one piece at a time in front of me. I mean, you’re swinging your sock over your head as if you’re performing a show on stage. You can’t blame me for the images you’re creating.” She giggles and her face turns as red as a beet, but she simply shrugs her shoulders. She knows she’s busted, and I love how she doesn’t deny it.
Humor helps her dispel the tension she holds in her neck and shoulders. She thinks she keeps it hidden, but I’ve noticed how often she rubs the back of her neck when she thinks no one is looking. The truth is, I’m always looking when she’s around, even when I’m not making a conscious effort. My attention naturally gravitates back to her wherever we are and whatever we’re doing.
I’ve stopped trying to fight the feelings I have for her. It’s a pointless exercise, anyway. Even though I hate to admit defeat, conceding my heart to Daisy doesn’t disturb me like I thought it would. Constantly denying my true feelings for her in an attempt to hold on to my bachelor ways was exhausting. Holding back only left me hollow inside, as if a part of me was missing, instead of the sense of freedom I thought I’d have.
“Look at my other sock. Do you think it’s sexier on my foot or flying above my head like this one is?” Maintaining my deadpan expression takes real skill. I should earn an Oscar for this performance. She’s cracking up over my goofball attempts to put her at ease while I refuse to even crack a smile.
“That’s a hard call, Rod. Maybe if you push it down a little, give me a glimpse of your ankle, I could make an informed decision.”
“Wow. Just wow, Daisy. You are trying to get me naked right now. Encouraging me to show you some skin under your mother’s roof. Does she have any idea what you’ve turned into since you left home? I, for one, think she’d be ashamed of you.”
“Well, you can think that all you want, but you’ll be wrong. My mother is the one who put me in here to share the bed with you tonight. Either you can man-up and show me some ankle skin, or you can sleep in the front yard with Santa and Rudolph tonight.”
I drop the sock from my hand and openly gape at her, pure shock radiating from my expression. I mean, it’s all a fake outrage because she can look at my ankles all she wants, but playing a little hard-to-get never hurt anyone. “I’ve never felt so objectified in my life. Is that all I am to you? Just a way for you to get your under-the-sock skin fix? Fine. Look all you want.”
I drop onto the bed, yank my sock off, and pull up both legs of my pants. “Happy now?”
She wipes the tears from her cheeks and tries to contain her laughter. Tries, but doesn’t succeed. She can barely breathe now, but the pure joy on her face keeps me going. I extend both legs straight out, turning my feet and ankles in every direction possible to give her a peek from every angle. If my acting stupid gives her the outlet she needs to relax and laugh until she cries, I’ll make a fool of myself all night long.
“You know, I’m not really a fan of feet. They sort of creep me out. Know what I do like, thought? Knees. They’re undervalued and underrated, in my opinion. Knees are where it’s at.” She curls her fingers into a loose fist and presses it against her lips in a feeble attempt to prevent a smile.
“Will the insults never end?” I arch one eyebrow. “I suppose simply pulling my pants leg up won’t suffice. You’re trying to trick me into taking my pants off. What sort of trap are you trying to pull on me, young lady?”
“One you can’t get out of and I’m the only one who has
