Page 105 of Ripple Effect

“Is this your way of saying that you love me?”

“No, but this is—” I push up from the space I’m lying in, press one hand to her chest, and cup the other around her cheek. “I love you, Daisy. And I don’t think I’ll ever stop.”

“I love you, too,” she says, eyes shining. “And IknowI won’t stop.”

38

DAISY

It’sNew Year’s Eve, and we’re cocooned in the lazy warmth of Elio’s bed.

He’s lying on his side facing me, and I have my head nuzzled against his chest, one thigh slotted between both of his, curling into him like a large, sleepy cat.

My fingers trace over a collection of small symbols on his forearm, like constellations on the canvas of his skin. I tap each one lightly, tracing over them as he stirs beneath me.

“Do these mean something?” I ask, my voice still husky from sleep. “Or are they just drawings you like?”

He chuckles softly, opening one eye to peek up at me. “Curious Daisy,” he murmurs with a grin.

I poke him lightly. “Always.”

“Well, Mia and Vivia, my two younger sisters, they’re the stars. The Gemini twins.” His fingers guide mine over the tiny cluster, their lines delicate but distinct.

“The clover?” I ask, hovering my finger above it.

“That’s Luca. Georgie coined him ‘Lucky’ a long time ago. She uses the same symbol on her communication device.”

I hum in response, moved by his dedication to his family. As I lightly trace the horseshoe, I arch a curious brow. “And this?”

“Taylor,” he says softly. “She and Luca, they’ve always stood together. The eldest siblings. Our lucky charms. Our protectors.”

A small crescent, beautifully detailed, catches my eyes next. “Little Georgie’s the moon,” he says. “Our wild child.”

I smirk, pressing my finger on the last symbol—a radiant sun. “And you? Let me guess ... the sunshine of the family?”

He chuckles, pulling me closer. “No, the name Elio comes from a word that means sun. Kind of ironic, considering.”

“I don’t think that’s ironic,” I murmur, placing a soft kiss on his chest, right above his heart. “They say the sun represents hope and renewal. And that’s what you did for me. Renewed my faith in love, in family.”

He gulps low in his throat. “Hmm, suppose you might be onto something there.”

“I usually am.” My thumb runs along the collection of tattoos before reality nudges. I glance at the clock on his nightstand. “You’ve still got that appointment in an hour, you know.”

He groans, throwing an arm over his eyes. “Dr. Foster can wait. I want to keep lying in bed with you. Listen to you say more sappy things for the rest of the morning.”

“El!” I swat him on the arm. “You know, Dr. Foster is the reason you’re healthy right now. The reason we’re even together in the first place.”

“So, you wouldn’t have weaseled your way into my life if it weren’t for the doctor’s orders?”

“Mm, no, I don’t weasel,” I say defiantly. “Actually, now that I think about it, we should probably get him a present.”

He shifts into a seated position, and I topple off him. “Daze, you can’t give doctors gifts. I’ve heard that it’s illegal or something.”

“It’s notillegal. They just say not to because of fair service provision.”

“Yeah, exactly what I said.”

“I meant, like, a gift of strawberry muffins or something. Not a Rolex watch.” I roll my eyes at him, and he grins, reaching over to pull me back into his lap. “Ridiculous boy.”

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