Love Game

“Nothing. I don’t know. I was telling you about the break-in.”

“A break-in.” I sat back against the couch, not liking the sound of this already. “Okay.”

She nodded. “I was alone. It was late. I woke up in the guest bedroom to a…a man…”

My heart crashed against my ribs and I swallowed hard as my throat had gone dry.

“One of the burglars. He was just…lying on top of me. The covers were between us,” she added quickly, catching my horrified expression. “I woke up with him on me. His hand on my mouth and a knife on my cheek.”

I stared. “Bloody fucking fuck, Daisy.” My hands clenched and unclenched. “Did he…hurt you?”

She shook her head and took a trembling breath. “No. It was so weird. Horrifying and weird, but he just lay there, staring at me through a ski mask. Almost casually. And it was so dark. He was dark. All in black. And his partner was smashing things and making noise. So they left. The man…” She shivered. “He kissed my cheek and then he left.”

I carved my hand through my hair. “Jesus.”

Daisy glanced up at me, her eyes shining but she blinked hard. “Yeah, so now I have a hard time with the dark. Or being alone at night.”

“I don’t know what to say,” I said. “I’m sorry, Daisy. I’m sorry that happened to you.”

“Thank you, Kai.”

“Did they ever catch the arsehole?”

She shook her head. “I think that’s what makes it worse, in a way. He’s still out there, and I feel like he might be trying to find me. That’s partly why I moved all the way to Hawaii. Because he was never caught and…he might not be done with me.” Daisy glanced up at me, an embarrassed, nervous smile flitting over her lips. “I know, it’s irrational but I can’t shake it. So I have Keanu and I sleep with the lights on, and Melanie, my boss at the Wellness Center… She’s trying to help me too.”

“Good. She should.”

Daisy plucked at the couch cushion thread. “I suppose you’re wondering how I can be any good helping you when I’m not having much luck on myself yet.”

“I wasn’t thinking that.”

She held my gaze a second, then looked away. “You might, though. If I tell you the truth. And since I’m spilling my guts tonight, you should hear the truth.” She heaved a breath and then said, “I’m not a naturopath. Not yet. I’m in training.” She raised her bronze eyes to mine. “At the Wellness Center…I’m just the receptionist.”

I blinked. “Okay.”

“Jason, your agent… He cares about you so much and he wants to help you. And I needed the money.” She tilted her chin up. “I understand if you want me to go and refund the pay. I’ll—”

“What? No.” I shook my head with a small laugh. “I don’t know if this is going to make you feel better or worse, but it doesn’t matter to me that you’re the receptionist.”

She gave a watery, relieved little laugh. “No?”

“Nah,” I said. “You could be the janitor or the CEO. It’s all the same to me.”

Daisy laughed again, the tension leaving her body and fear vanishing from her eyes, leaving them bright and clear. “You’re right. That makes me feel so much better.” Then she frowned. “But what about the money?”

“I suppose I’ll have to show up tomorrow morning for another Reiki session. Since we’re paying you, and all.”

“A session you believe is worthless?”

“Don’t get excited but…my elbow feels better than it has in months. And I happen to be free at that time.”

Her playful smile faded. “It really does help with bad memories too, Kai. Or pain. Anything is better than boxing it up, shoving it away, and pretending it doesn’t exist.” Her hand in her lap rested lightly on mine. “Talking about it helps.”

I stiffened and though I wanted to keep feeling her warm skin, I pulled away. “It’s late. I’m tired.”

“Me too. I should go.”

She started to rise but I shot to my feet first, earning a fast glance from Keanu.