Page 78 of Almost Always

“Darlin’, you’re killing me.”

“Sorry, but this food is so fucking good.”

“I’m glad,” he said softly and kissed the side of her head.

It was the unsaid words—I’m glad you’re eating and enjoying your food again—that made her lean into him. Even now, she thought about the day he found her counting her calories and starving herself. The way he watched her carefully for years after to make sure she was taking care of herself. She might have relapsed in Greenville, but ever since she restarted therapy, she’d been better with her food. There were days when she’d look at herself in the mirror and not be happy with what she saw. But she no longer starved herself or measured her meals.

Food was important and it took her a long time to understand that.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to bri?—”

“I know. Don’t apologize. You have no idea how grateful I am that you caught me that day and helped me in some small way. I wish we hadn’t fought, obviously, but you made me see things differently.”

His gaze burned into hers and she smiled, hoping he knew she had no ill feelings towards him about that day. She lifted a hand to cup and stroke his jaw, sighing softly as he pressed his forehead to hers. She understood it now; it had been love that drove him to get so mad and try to help her. It might have seemed cruel back then, but she got it. Rafferty was the only person who ever really saw her and his devastation that day was clear on his face.

Tilting her head, she kissed him softly and dragged her thumb across his bearded jaw. He sighed into the kiss, but kept it PG-13, which was a good thing, even if it frustrated her. Smiling against his mouth, she nipped his bottom lip before pulling back to look into his gorgeous golden eyes.

“Thank you,” she whispered.

“Always.”

Standing in the ladies room thirty minutes later, she stared at her reflection in the mirror above the sink as she dried her hands. After devouring that burger and getting sauce everywhere, she had rushed to the restroom to clean herself up. As much as she wanted to torture him some more with licking her fingers, it was spreading all the way down to her elbows. Now she was clean again and she took a few more minutes to reapply her perfume and fluff up her hair.

She had to admit that she looked really good. While she hadn’t expected his reaction when he came to pick her up, Daisywas glad he appreciated what he saw. Not that she needed someone else to tell her she was beautiful, but when you grew up not loving your body it was hard to trust what your mind was telling you. It was far easier to believe someone else, even if her thoughts convinced her they were lying.

Her phone buzzed and after tossing the paper towel into the bin, she pulled the device out of her pocket.

Roe

Dinner this weekend?

Wyatt’s been looking up the perfect aprons.

Daisy

This is why your husband is my favorite. Can I bring someone?

Roe

!!!!!!!!!!!

I scared Wyatt with my pterodactyl screeching.

Is it who I think it is?!

Daisy

Yes. It’s exactly who you think it is. We’re…dating, I guess.

Roe

Bitch, what does that mean?

Daisy

Means I’m on a date. Well, in the bathroom right now. But ya know.

Roe

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