Page 37 of Almost Always

“Good morning.”

“Did you have a sleepover?”

At her hesitation, he realized that never in Cal’s life had he woken up to someone unfamiliar in the house. Especially one that looked like Daisy. While they hadn’t done anything they couldn’t talk about, it still felt so weird to address it with his son. Thankfully Boots provided a much needed distraction and Cal moved on.

“Phew, that felt too close,” she said, shoulders slumping.

“Youdidsleep over.”

“But then he might want to know why.”

Chuckling, he nodded and carried the food to the table. “He does have a tendency to ask a million questions, but you’re not a stranger.”

“But I kind of am, right?”

“You’ve never been a stranger in either of our lives. He might have only met you, but trust me when I say that he knows you.”

She chewed on her lip. “I don’t want to cross any lines or confuse him, though.”

Which was exactly his issue, right? His decision to not date back in the city was partly because he didn’t want to bring anybody home and have Cal get attached only to have everything fall apart. His son liked everyone, even those that hadstranger dangerwritten all over them. He wanted to believe that Daisy would be different, but they were still figuringthemout. She was right to be cautious, because this might not be anything more than a recreation of their friendship.

“I know,” he admitted with a sigh.

“Were you named Daisy because you like flowers?” Cal asked as soon as he shoved food into his mouth.

He’d been teaching his son table etiquette, but when excited, Cal turned into an animal. There were egg and toast crumbs around his mouth, food was on the table between his plate and chest.

“I don’t think so. But your father introduced me to flowers, actually.”

“Are daisies your favorite flower?”

She chuckled. “Maybe in my top ten.”

“You can have ten favorite things?”

“I believe that you can have many favorites, because each thing could make you feel something different.”

It was the most Daisy answer ever and he smiled, sipping on his coffee as he watched his son fall in love with the beautiful woman in their home.

“Cool! So what are your favorite flowers?”

Leaning back, she held a hand out and tapped each finger as she said, “Carnations, peonies and lilies. I also love a flower called ranunculus.”

“They sound pretty.”

She leaned in, grinning at him. “They’re beautiful. I’ll show you one day.”

“How?” Cal’s eyes were so wide, eyeballs ready to pop out of the socket.

“I have a flower shop.”

“Oh yeah!”

“Your nonna showed me how to take care of flowers, so when I was old enough, I opened my shop.”

Breakfast abandoned, Cal leaned forward with a big smile. “Can we go today?”

“I don’t know, you have to ask your dad.”

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