“What?” I ask in alarm, accidentally brushing my sandwich against my top, smearing mayonnaise just over my left boob. Fantastic. Sighing, I carefully weigh my words. “There’s no need to talk about anything, Daniel.”
“I disagree.”
“I’m shocked,” I mutter, and he chuckles. “But I can’t tonight, really. Already have plans.”
“Tomorrow?”
Well damn, he’s persistent. “I have plans every evening after work this week.”
“What plans do you have on Saturday, birthday girl?”
He remembers my birthday!
“Ironically, not so many. I’m having lunch with Dad, but we can meet in the evening.”
I can’t ignore him forever, nor do I want to. At the latest, I’ll see him at some Bennett event, and it’s best to get the awkward out of the way before. Why did I have to complicate things and sleep with him? After our breakup, I pulled away from his family, because the whole thing was too awkward. But after Mom died last year, I grew closer to Jenna Bennett—Dan’s mom—again. I rekindled my friendship with Summer and Pippa. I don’t want to give that up, and I want Daniel in my life too, but in a safe way—in a platonic way.
“Excellent. See you on Saturday. And look out for my gift.”
“You don’t have to buy me anything,” I say quickly, but my voice sounds unconvincing even to my own ears. I love presents in any way, shape, and form.
“Oh, I do. Making up for falling asleep and all that.”
“You’re going to milk this for all it’s worth, won’t you?”
“You bet. Plus, I know how happy presents make you.”
Oh man, here come the butterflies in my stomach. There might be a bit of toe curling involved too. How on earth am I supposed to keep things platonic?
Chapter Ten
Caroline
On Saturday, I wake up with a smile on my face. My thirty-first birthday. Picking up my phone from the nightstand, my face breaks into a grin. I have a dozen unread messages from friends wishing me happy birthday. Niall is the first to call me. It’s already lunchtime in Dublin.
“Happy birthday, baby sis. What are your plans for today?”
“Lunch with Dad and dinner with Daniel.”
“Bennett?”
“Yeah.”
“You’re not starting again with him, are you?” The disapproval rolls off his tongue like acid.
“Niall—”
“He’s not good for you. Not what you need.”
I roll over on one side in the bed, wondering why on earth I brought this up. “I’m a grown woman, Niall. I can make my own decisions. But thank you for your concern.”
“He hurt you once.”
Now I’m getting pissed. “We were kids. We made mistakes. Did you know he helped Dad with the business plan? And negotiating with the furniture supplier?”
A pause and then, “I had no idea. Still doesn’t mean he’s good for you.”
“Stop it. You’re ruining my birthday mojo.”