Page 18 of His Untamed Craving

She's genuine, real. She's doing what she can to help. And I'm just standing in her way.

"Everything okay?"

I glance over to find Garrett studying me, one eyebrow arched high. The cluster of starstruck kids has thinned out, no doubt scattering off to the next activity.

Except for Cooper. The sandy-haired kid lingers nearby, watching our exchange with rapt interest.

I let out a humorless chuckle, shaking my head. "Not really, man. I, uh... I might've really screwed things up with Daisy."

"The vlogger with the scholarship?" He folds his arms across his broad chest, giving me a measured look. "You wanna elaborate on that? 'Cause from where I'm standing, she seems like she's got a damn good thing going."

"I know, I know." I scrub a hand over my face, feeling that familiar self-disgust churning in my gut. "I thought it was just going to turn into a cheap sideshow for her to cash in on. But, I don't know, I think... I think I was wrong."

He claps me on the shoulder. "Way I see it, as long as you can admit that, you've still got a chance to make things right, brother."

I nod, jaw clenched as I wrestle with the tangled knot of emotions swirling within me. Shame, regret, and something that feels unsettlingly like the first flutters of hope.

"You're right." My voice emerges rough, grated. "I need to find her."

Pushing off from the wall, I turn to head for the exit, a renewed sense of purpose burning in my chest. I've got a wrong to make right—and this time, I'm not going to let my own stubbornness blind me to what truly matters.

Not when there are lives to impact, purpose to be found.

Daisy's out there somewhere, no doubt hurting from the way I acted. But I'm going to track her down and make this right, no matter what it takes.

After everything we shared in the mountains, everything she opened my eyes to... she deserves far better than how I treated her.

I don't know what the future holds or if she'll even be willing to hear me out after my bullheaded display. But one thing's for damn sure—I'm not giving up without a fight.

Chapter 8

Daisy

Isit cross-legged on a faded picnic bench outside the main cabin at Camp Silverpine, my laptop open before me as I scroll aimlessly through potential fundraiser ideas. A warm summer breeze ruffles my curls, carrying the earthy scent of pine and campfire smoke.

"Still no luck, huh?"

I glance up to find Aspen settling onto the bench beside me, Zane trailing behind with two mugs of steaming coffee clutched in his calloused grip. The two are co-owners of the camp and have become my friends during my stays in the area.

Zane hands one of the mugs off to his wife before sitting on my other side. "Don't sweat it too much. We'll figure something out for those scholarships."

I try for a reassuring smile, but it feels strained. "Yeah... I just really thought I had it nailed this time, you know?"

Aspen's expression softens as her gaze rakes over me. "This seems like it's hitting harder than just a professional setback, though." She takes a sip of her coffee, studying me over the rim. "Want to talk about it?"

I open my mouth to deflect, but the words won't come. Because she's absolutely right—this whole thing with Wyatt is so much more than just a bruised ego or failed moneymaking scheme.

It's a profound, tangled knot of guilt and longing and sheer frustration all swirled together.

Blowing out a heavy breath, I rake a hand through my hair. "Honestly? I don't even know where to start. I just... I really thought I had things figured out, you know? Like, Wyatt and I had this crazy, insane connection out there on the mountain. I mean, you should've seen us."

Just picturing those moments again—that bone-deep sense of belonging, the way my soul had felt so utterly grounded yet unrestrained—has my heart clenching in my chest. A lump rises in my throat.

"And then, like a total dumbass, I went and betrayed his trust." I shake my head in self-disgust, my voice emerging in a strained rasp. "I got so caught up in my mission, so focused on the end goal, that I completely disregarded his boundaries. And when he found out, he... well, he shut me out. Completely."

Aspen reaches over to squeeze my arm, offering a soft look of sympathy. "Dais, I'm so sorry."

"Yeah." I let out a humorless chuckle, swiping at the moisture gathering in the corners of my eyes. "And the worst part is, I can't even be mad at the guy. He laid everything out for me from the start, you know? He made it crystal clear how much he values his privacy and staying true to himself, no matter what. I'm the one who trampled all over that."

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