Page 80 of Almost Always

“As long as it comes with ice cream.”

When she got the waitstaff’s attention, she placed the order and turned to her date with a playful glower. “You cannot get me all turned on and horny in public.”

“Why not? It’s what you do to me all the time.”

“I do not!” she growled, poking him in the chest.

He had the audacity to laugh, but soothed her by gripping her chin and bringing her mouth to his. “Sorry, darlin’. Can’t believe I get to be with you.”

She softened under the kiss, dragging her fingers down the length of the arm holding her face. Breaking away, she shook her head. “You’re the kind of dangerous my dad warned me about.”

“Good news is he liked me, so I’m pretty sure I’m not that bad.”

“He might change his mind if I tell him you were manhandling me in public.”

He smirked and leaned in closer. “If you think that’s manhandling, sweetheart, I can’t wait to get you into bed.”

“Is that right, Daddy?”

He growled and the sound sent a shudder up her spine. She smiled and watched his eyes dilate and darken, heat in his expression. She released a shaky breath and turned away, her heart racing so fast she needed to calm down. The sexual tension between them was so thick, it was a miracle she’d survived dinner at all. He pulled her back against him and kissed her shoulder.

“I’m sorry for getting you all flustered in public, Hero.”

“Never apologize for that.”

“Now tell me about your best friend.”

CHAPTER 24

THEN, 1999

It started like every other day—she waited for Rafferty outside the brownstone and walked with him most of the way to school. Once there, she would hurry ahead while he got distracted by his friends. Even classes were going normal. Until recess ended and she heard people laughing around her. At first, Daisy thought it was because of something she’d missed in the cafeteria. But when eyes and laughter turned her way, she started to panic.

“I guess ugly girls don’t have mothers who teach them about their period,” Vivian Chambers said as she and her posse surrounded Daisy.

“You’re bleeding, Ditzy,” another girl added.

“It’sDaisy.”

“Whatever your name is, you’re making a mess of this pristine hallway,” someone else said, pointing at Daisy’s legs.

Looking down, she saw blood on her khaki pants. She didn’t know what was happening and tried to get some help, but Vivian and her girl gang were blocking the way, laughing and pointing like she was an animal in the zoo. Of course she knew everythingabout menstruating, but she had no clue how to handle it. Or why these girls were being so mean.

“Help me, please,” she whispered, but the laughter only got louder. Using her bag, she covered her front and turned in a slow circle as tears streamed down her face. “Please.”

“Figure it out yourself, Ditzy,” Vivian replied, flicking her auburn hair over her shoulder. “And while you’re at it, keep your grubby paws off my boyfriend.”

Her vision was blurred because of how much she was crying and for a moment she hated being friends with Rafferty. She’d been so good at keeping their connection a secret, but everyone found out anyway. And because of him, she was being picked on. She wondered if they singled her out right from the beginning because of their friendship or if that was a new development.

“What is going on here?” an authoritative voice said and everyone dispersed quickly.

Daisy’s knees buckled and before she fell, someone grabbed her. She sniffled, feeling the snot leak down her face, but didn’t lift her head. Nothing good would come from looking at who was helping her or watching her. She was already so distressed, seeing the faces of her classmates would make it worse.

She heard a door close as she was guided to sit down, but refused because she knew that the blood could stain something else.

“It’s okay, Daisy. You can sit down.”

Hesitating, she blinked through her tears and saw that it was the bed in the nurses’ office. Swallowing hard, she lowered herself carefully, her bag still clutched against her chest.

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