Page 14 of Before You Can Blink
A sharp snap sounded. “Sit your ass back down. You can choke the chickenafteryou eat this meal I spent all day making.”
Groaning, I obeyed. I wasn’t going to last much longer living in this house. If it weren’t so far outside of town, I’d beg to crash on Murphy and Layla’s couch. It would be an easier commute for training, but I would have to give up meeting Daisy at the Watering Hole every night.
Not that I’d ever admit it to her face, but maybe my mom was on to something when she suggested my agitation was because Daisy had gone out of town. It had only been a few days, but already, I missed her smile, her laughter, and the warmth she exuded without effort.
“When she gets back, I expect you to bring her by.”
“Ma, it’s only been a month.”
Eyes lifting from her plate, she pursed her lips. “Okay . . .” Oh God, I could practically see the wheels turning in her head and knew trouble was brewing. “If you won’t bring her here, I’ll just have to mosey my way down to the Watering Hole and crash one of your little ‘dates’.”
Fuuuuuuuck.
“Fine,” I grumbled. “When she’s back.”
And then I sent up a silent prayer that introducing Daisy to my mother wouldn’t scare her away.
January
“Do I look all right?” Daisy smoothed both hands over her skirt. The nervous gesture was endearing as hell.
Threading our fingers, I tugged her toward the front door of my childhood—and off-season—home. “You look perfect.” And I meant it. I’d picked her up after the school day was over, and her professional appearance had her looking way out of my league.
Who was I kidding? She was out of my league, no matter what she wore.
Her lips twisted to the side as she plucked at the hem of her blouse. “There’s paint on my shirt. I should’ve gone home to change.”
“Here.” I shrugged out of my coat and placed it over her shoulders. “Problem solved.”
Daisy brought the collar to her nose, her eyes sliding closed as she inhaled. My chest puffed up, witnessing how much she enjoyed my scent.
When her lashes lifted, she smiled softly at me. “Thank you, but you can’t expect me to keep this coat on all evening.”
“Oh, honey. We aren’t gonna be here that long. Trust me.”
Her eyebrows lifted. “We’re not?”
Poor thing had no idea that she was about to come face-to-face with the human tornado known as Betsy Sullivan. The only way to walk away from this unscathed would be to get in and out as quickly as possible.
“Definitely not,” I replied firmly.
With wide eyes, she nodded. “Okay.”
I gave a quick knock to alert my mother that we were about to step inside, then pushed the door open.
“Ma?” I called out when I saw the living room was empty.
“In the kitchen!” she shouted back. “Putting the finishing touches on dinner.”
Stifling a groan, I moved in that direction. “I told you we had other plans tonight.” It wasn’t an outright lie, considering Daisy and I had a standing date every evening at the Watering Hole.
“Nonsense.” My mother rounded the corner, dusting her hands on her apron before untying the string and casting the fabric aside. “You’re staying.” Her tone brooked no argument, and panic set in that Daisy and I might not make it out of here in one piece.
“Well,” Ma prompted. “You gonna introduce us or what?”
“Ma, this is Daisy Morrison. Daisy, please meet my mother, Betsy Sullivan.”
Daisy fidgeted beside me, her hand lifting for a handshake before she thought better of it, and it fell back to her side. “Pleased to meet you, Mrs. Sullivan.”
