Page 89 of Guys Can't Write Romance
Daisy was standing on the curb outside the restaurant when he arrived. He pulled up along the curb and rolled down his passenger window.
“Hey Fields,” he called out the window.
Daisy did a double-take. “Chad?”
“Yup. Your roommate called. I’m under strict orders to make you have fun. Or else…”
A slight smile curled her lips, but she still shook her head. “I appreciate the offer, but I’m really not in the mood. It’s been a rough night.”
“Oh, I’m not offering, I’m begging. It’s either you have fun, or your writing partner faces the wrath of Chloe Reeves.”
Daisy couldn’t help but chuckle. She hesitated for a moment, then walked over. “Okay. But this is only because I still need your help on my novel.”
As she climbed into the Jeep and slid on her seatbelt, she caught the gleam of admiration in Chad’s eyes as he watched her.
“What?” she said, feeling her cheeks heat up under his gaze.
“Nothing. You just… you look nice.”
She broke into a surprised smile, as a pleasant tingle spread to her chest. She couldn’t recall Ethan ever telling her that.
“Hope that’s not awkward coming from your writing partner,” he said.
“It’s not awkward at all coming from my friend,” she said. “Thanks, Chad.”
It was subtle, but Chad queued in on her acknowledgment that their writing partnership had blossomed into a friendship. “Anytime. Ready to get this adventure started?”
“I am.”
Chad and Daisy arrived back at his apartment a half hour later. He parallel parked along the curb and killed the engine.
“We’re here,” he said, unbuckling his seatbelt and grabbing his keys. “You ready?”
She stared out the window at his apartment, then shot him a look. “You brought me to your apartment to have fun?”
He shook his head. “We’re just parking here. Operation Make Daisy Laugh is a couple blocks away.”
“That sounds like one of those names Chloe’s always making up.”
“It is. But the execution’s all mine.”
She shot him a curious look. “Am I gonna regret this?”
He smiled. “Hopefully.”
She let out a light laugh and shook her head. “Okay. But if this involves tattoos and questionable food, I’m reporting you to Chloe.”
“Consider me warned,” he said.
The damp ocean air met them as they climbed from the Jeep. It carried with it the faint smells of salt water and distant bar-b-cues.
“Can’t we just drive to where we’re going?” she asked, adjusting the strap on her purse as they headed down a path between apartments to the boardwalk.
He shook his head. “Nope. Walking is all part of the plan.”
“The Operation Make Daisy Laugh plan?”
“Yup.”
