“Sure,” she said in a tone that told him the chances of that ever happening were remote. She took another nibble of her cheeseburger. “Before I forget, I wanted to thank you for today.”
“No problem. It was actually a lot of fun.”
“You know what I mean. About your little pep talk up on the platform while I suffered a minor panic attack?” She had a slight smile on her face as she said this, and he noticed a dab of mustard still lingering on the corner
of her mouth.
“You would have done it eventually.”
“Maybe. If only because someone finally pushed me off.”
He chuckled. “Well, I had considered that possibility,” he said, and without thinking, leaned forward and wiped at the mustard spot with his thumb.
She looked stunned at the contact, her mouth opening the slightest bit.
“Sorry. You had some mustard and I—”
At that moment, a flash of light from the corner of his eyes drew both of their attention over to where a guy with a wide-angle lens camera was snapping away.
It took a few seconds for Daisy to react, seeming to take a moment to let it sink it that she was the object of this guy’s attention.
“It’s okay. Don’t panic,” he said, keeping his tone calm. “Once he gets a few photos, he’ll be gone.”
She nodded, even if her eyes told him she was fighting the urge to flee. His finger was still inches from her mouth, and instead of pulling it away, he reached out and tucked a stray strand of hair back from her face.
It was a show of intimacy that he offered with little guilt. This was, after all, why they’d agreed to stay together at the house. To sell the idea they were engaged.
He smiled, wondering for a moment if it would be pushing his luck to lean forward and place a kiss on her still stunned and open mouth.
Probably. Instead, he grinned, enjoying the array of emotions that flitted across her face.
From the playground, there were shouts of laughter from the kids as they raced to the top of an eight-foot climbing wall. Daisy seized on the distraction of the moment and stood.
“Okay, kids. Time to go.”
What would she do when she didn’t have the kids around to serve as a distraction?
He was looking forward to tonight and finding out.
Chapter Nine
“Paul, don’t talk with your mouth full, dear,” Glenda said as Daisy made her way down the stairs, careful not to trip over the hem of the long gown. The last thing she needed was to break an arm or leg because she couldn’t remember how to walk around in a pair of shoes higher than an inch.
Her stomach fluttered, nerves that she hadn’t expected to feel running amuck. As much from not knowing what was going to be expected from her at tonight’s event as wondering what Jack would think when he saw her.
Too much? Not enough?
Up to now he’d seen her in T-shirts and capri pants, fluffy worn bathrobes and thick fuzzy socks. This confection that Payton had sent along, one of three that had been waiting for her when they’d arrived home from lunch today, was more beautiful than anything Daisy had ever worn.
Thin and silky, the dress felt almost like a second skin as it cascaded gracefully down her body. The form-fitting bodice and flowing skirt were straight black, but the long sleeves and sheer material of the deep cut décolletage was a beautiful intricate black lace. Payton had thought of everything when she sent the dark black four-inch heels that left the hemline at just the right length, and the silver starfish earrings that, with her hair swept in a low side chignon, were the perfect finishing touches.
The image that stared back at her in the mirror looked more like a regal Spanish princess than simply Daisy Sorensen, single mom and absolute no one.
God, she hoped Jack would like it.
Which was silly really since she shouldn’t care what he thought. But…she did.
“When do we get to watch the movie?” Natalie was asking.