“Why?” We saw them all the time, and why just us and not Derek?
“Well…” She looked down for a second, like she was trying to figure out the best way to word her next sentence. “I was thinking about introducing Mason to Mom and Dad, and I thought it would be less tense if you were there. Since you’ve already met him a couple times.”
She couldn’t be serious. I stared at her for a solid three seconds as I digested the worst idea I’d ever heard.
“I’ve already told Mom about him because, you know, I tell her everything. But I’m kinda nervous about Dad. He always has such a hard time talking to people as it is. I feel like I’m putting him in a bad position.”
She was putting him in the most uncomfortable position possible.
“Why haven’t you said anything?”
“What do you want me to say? It’s way too soon for you to introduce Mason to Mom and Dad. Are you crazy?”
“I’ve been seeing him for months now.”
“So?” I challenged.
“You brought Catherine around immediately, and Emerson was part of the family before Derek even married her. Why is it so fucking casual for you guys to bring women around, but when I want to bring a guy—”
“You know exactly why, Daisy. Come on. I understand why it pisses you off, but it’s not going to change anything. You’re going to put Dad through the fucking wringer if you bring Mason around.”
“There’s nothing wrong with Mason—”
“Doesn’t make him right. I’m surprised he even wants to meet Mom and Dad.”
“Well, I haven’t told him yet, but he will.”
“Why are you forcing this?”
“Because he knows how important my family is to me, so if we’re going to make this work, I need to know he’s going to get along with you guys. Look, I want this to go somewhere, but I don’t want to let my heart get in that deep if he’s not compatible with everyone.”
When I sighed, my breath escaped as a long trail of smoke. “Do you love this guy?”
Her eyes immediately flicked away at the question.
I got my answer.
She ran her fingers through her hair, pulling it from her face because the wind picked up for a random gust before it faded away again. “Are you willing to do that or not?” She slid her hand back into her pocket.
I had a gut feeling that Mason wasn’t the right guy for her, that he was too handsome and rich to settle down with someone when he was so young. Daisy was the most perfect woman on the planet, so he probably stayed because it was too hard to leave; he gave her what she asked for because he didn’t want to lose her. But when she asked for too much, he would bail.
But she was in too deep, and there was nothing I could do.
All I could do was support her and be her crutch for the fallout. “You know I’ll do whatever you want me to do, Daisy. I’m always here for you. Always.”
I didn’t mention what Daisy had said to Sicily.
I refused to ask her any more questions about her personal life because it was none of my business, especially when I had no intention of stepping up. She told me how she felt, and that was my opportunity to do something about it. I chose not to. I had to accept those consequences like a man instead of acting like a jealous asshole.
But when she walked into my office to bring lunch, wearing high-waisted jeans with a blouse slightly tucked into the front, I remembered why I was so jealous.
Because she was a fucking bombshell.
My heart always raced a little faster when I looked at her, my pants fit a little tighter, and my fingers usually gripped whatever I was holding. My eyes raked over her body and admired her slender waist, her nice tits, and those lean legs that would fit nicely around my waist. She always wore the most flattering clothes, looking professional with her bracelets, watches, and necklaces, but her perfect figure couldn’t hide what was inside. She couldn’t hide that hourglass frame, skin so bright and translucent that she seemed to possess the complexion of a doll.
She placed my lunch on the desk in front of me. “You got a minute?”
“Never. But I’ll make one for you.” My dad always said that when I asked him for something while I was growing up. If he was working at the dining table and I came over for something, he stopped what he was doing and gave me all of his attention. Now that I was a man and a working professional, I understood just how valuable time really was, but he’d give up all his time for me at the drop of a hat. That was the ultimate sign of love, which I learned later in life.