Page 109 of Maximum Dare
“Oh, that will be much better.”
“I knew you’d agree.” He shuddered as though all that pomp and ceremony didn’t agree with him either. “Ready to face the dragon?”
“Your mum’s not that bad.”
“I meant Morgan.”
“I know you did. Of course I knew, because your mum—”
He grabbed hold of my pointing finger and gave it a shake. “Let’s stop there, Daisy. Or would you like me to get you a shovel?”
“I’m all good.”
“Don’t be nervous. We’ll just walk in and hold our heads up high. Everyone will be able to see we’re together. We won’t have to say a thing.”
“You’re right.” This was going to be me returning to shake off the girl I’d been before. I would create new memories and we would officially start our lives together with nothing to hide.
After stepping out of the car, I let him take my hand again and lead me inside.
I paused in the hallway, the marble and gold and shiny everything causing me to shiver. My feet froze as though this was my first time entering their intimidating manor home. This opulence was so foreign to me. I was going to have to watch everything I did and try not to embarrass myself or Max.
He glanced at me sideways. “Let’s go in here first.”
Max guided me into a room, and I recognized it. This was where I’d first caught sight of the family photo that had made me realize this was Nick’s childhood home. Max’s too, even though he’d only visited in the summer.
He followed my line of sight and looked up at the photo. “I was having a bad hair year.”
“You look cute.”
“Yeah, well. It’s my shame to carry.”
“Silly.” I punched his arm.
“I’m going to get you a drink.” He backed up. “Some liquid courage before you face the dragon.” He waggled his eyebrows playfully.
My hand slapped to my mouth, stifling a giggle.
He grinned and then disappeared out the door.
I let out a long, deep breath.
Neither of us had anything to worry about, I reassured myself. We weren’t doing anything wrong. As far as Nick was concerned, he’d moved on with Morgan. We’d both moved on, and now where that dull ache had been I felt nothing but gratitude.
Strange, how you can look back on your life and feel that way.
I stepped closer to the family photo, staring up at it as though seeing it for the first time—they had somehow made it work, this stepfamily. The two sons had gone on to have successful futures.
“Daisy?”
I spun round to see Nick in the doorway—a tuxedo-wearing hunk of a man, his hair a rebellious ruffle, his grey eyes bright and familiar and knowing. He stood there on crutches, his expression so different than how he’d looked at me last time I’d visited.
“Hi,” I said weakly.
“You’re here.” He hopped into the room using the crutches like he’d had them much longer.
“You invited me.”
“Yes, but after everything, I didn’t think you’d come.”
