His Best Mistake (Shillings Agency 6)

After his confrontation with Daisy yesterday, he’d been unable to think of anything but that night he sent her away, and the consequences of that action. In trying to do what he thought was best for her, he’d hurt her. He’d give anything to take that back. To make it better. But he didn’t know how. Relationships weren’t his thing. Fights weren’t, either.

To be honest, he and Tina never fought.

Not because they were perfect, or just too happy, but because they were never together. Throughout their relationship, they were almost always in a different city, state, or even country. So he’d never had to apologize. Never had to grovel. He had no clue what to do besides say he was sorry, which he’d tried yesterday.

That hadn’t worked.

Maybe nothing would.

No. He refused to think like that. Refused to give up. He loved her, and if he was patient enough, and lucky enough, maybe someday she’d love him, too, if he could find the right words to get her to forgive him. Because after losing her, and seeing how much he’d hurt her by trying to do the right thing for them both…he’d never make that mistake again. He didn’t know the right thing to do. Clearly. He was a dumbass.

He just had to fight for them. Fight for her.

And then…he’d never let go again.

He smiled and waved at his cousin as the dance ended, and she grinned back before making her way to her parents. Dinner was over. Cake was next. But he never liked cake…

And he had something to do.

Walking toward the door, he headed outside and called the last person he thought ever would. He picked up in two rings. “Hello?”

“Steven. It’s me. Mark.” He swallowed hard, choking on his pride a little bit as it fought going down. “I need your help. How do I win Daisy back? What do I do?”

Loud voices came through the other end, including a laugh he’d recognize anywhere, then a chair skid on the floor. “Hold on, sir. Give me a second.” He said something to Daisy and Lauren, and whoever else he was with, and then he was back. “How can I help you, Mr. Williams?”

“Are you with her right now?”

“Yes, sir,” Steven replied.

He headed to his truck. “Just her and Lauren?”

“Indeed.”

“Where?” he asked, sliding the key into the ignition. He eyed the wrapped present on his front seat, which he’d had sitting there for four days now, and slid the gearshift into reverse. “Can you help me get her alone?”

“Yes. I’m at dinner with a few friends at Menzel’s. It’s on Fourth and Chestnut.”

“Excellent. Keep her there for me, and then I’ll find a way to make her forgive me.” He dragged a hand through his hair. “I have no idea how, though. Have any tips?”

“I do, actually. The bigger, the better. And don’t be afraid to admit the truth about…how you feel about security. You have to be honest with us up front, if you stand a chance at getting the coverage you want from us.”

Mark swallowed hard. He was talking about the three big words he’d only ever said to one other woman…not counting Ginny. Could he do it?

“Right. Okay. I’ll be there in ten minutes,” he rasped.

Steven lowered his voice. “Hurry. Time’s running out. Dessert is almost done.”

Mark stepped on the gas, speeding down Route 6. He was halfway there when sirens lit up behind him. He stiffened, cursing under his breath, and pulled over. He casually checked out the speed limit. It was forty-five, and he’d been doing sixty. “Shit.”

A cop approached, and he rolled down his window, knowing he’d done wrong and completely prepared to accept the punishment—but it was going to make him miss Daisy at dinner.

The cop bent down and rested an arm on the door. “License and registration.”

“Officer—” Mark stiffened. Tim. “Oh. Hi, Tim. I didn’t know you did patrols without Daisy.”

“Yeah. Sometimes. They needed someone to fill in for Greenwich, so I picked up an extra shift.” He held a hand out. “License and registration, Mr. Matthews.”

Without another word, he opened his glovebox, pulled out his registration and insurance card, and then reached in his pocket for his wallet. There was no way he was getting out of this ticket. He’d be lucky if he avoided jail, considering the fact that Tim probably hated his guts for hurting Daisy like he had. “I know I was speeding, Officer. I’m sorry.”