Page 11 of Sin Bins and Second Chances
“Daisy, did you seriously not know?” My jaw clenches as I continue to look her over. Again.
It feels like a tease, her standing here when I can’t touch her. Fuck, how I want to show her just how much she is still undeniablymine. She looksincredible. I don’t know what I was thinking when I assumed this would be a good idea. I knew she would be here.
Those stunning blue eyes go from wide, then narrow, then soft. Every expression written clearly on her face and in those eyes.
Andrew let me know she would be here, but why didn’t he tell her? It was a team dinner, of course I would be here. Unless—she didn’t know I got traded. It’s been a few months in the making, but the Miles family were freakishly close. Me being here is something he should’ve told his cousin.
I could lie to myself and say I never thought about her... or what she looked like… or what she was up to. I felt like a stalker, following her on social media without actually hitting that follow button. On all of it. Every fucking platform. Her social media didn’t give too much away, not on a personal level that I cared for. I knew what she looked like, but it was different seeing her in person after all this time. It took a long time for me to admit it to myself—I still cared. I knew she stayed busy baking, starting up her little bakery. She’d always love to bake and be in the kitchen, it fit her. Itwas incredible to notice how her following grew online from sharing something she was passionate about.
Between that and helping on the family ranch, I saw little get posted about her personal life. It was all pictures of food and the ranch, things I should’ve been seeing for my fucking self. I didn’t know if she even had a man in her life. Was she still seeing that guy—the one she left me for?
I didn’t want to care, but I did.
I never stopped, not really.
Daisy had always been too good for me. I knew once I left for college, it would only be a matter of time before someone else came around and swept her off her feet, even if I hoped it wouldn’t happen. She deserved that and more, not that I didn’t want to give it to her. I wanted to be the one to give her everything. I made all these plans in my head about what our future would look like together.
Then it changed. All of it.
Every.
Fucking.
Part.
All the plans for forever, gone.
It’s why I swore off women, at least for anything more than a one-night stand. It was too easyfor them to rip your heart out, even unintentionally. The heart wants what it wants.
The proof was standing in front of me. Her blue eyes narrowed on mine. The same eyes I used to swear I could swim in. Get lost in.
I thought it would be different, seeing her in person. As if I could feel nothing. Boy, was I wrong. My fascination with Daisy Miles felt amplified. I was a man possessed. After years of not being able to put my eyes on her in person, I couldn’t stop staring. I didn’t want to look away.
If it were possible, I’d wrap my arms around her and never let go. I didn’t know, nor did I care if she was even seeing anyone. She still feels like mine.
This is insane. I have to be crazy.
“No, nobody told me.” She swallows.
“Yo, Ethan. I see you met Daisy. She’s Andrew’s cousin and makes the best baked goods.” Jude walks into the kitchen, clearly oblivious that he is interrupting something.
“Yeah, Ethan’s from here.” Daisy smiles at him. I hate it, hate him. I want her smiles. “I’m going to say bye to my cousin.”
“That’s right, I forgot you and Andrewwere friends growing up too.” Jude glances from me to Daisy. “I thought you were staying for dinner. You normally do.” Jude walks up closer.
“She is,” I interrupt. I’m not ready for her to leave.
Her mouth opens as if she wants to argue. “Um. I.” She sighs.
“Daisy and I go back. Way back.” I put my arm around her shoulder.
Jude cocks a brow, then bites back his laugh. “Okay.” He nods. “Noted. I’m going to grab a couple of beers.” Jude walks to the fridge to grab them, then walks out of the kitchen.
“What are you doing?” Daisy pushes my arm off of her shoulder.
“I thought it was obvious.” I’m marking my fucking territory. It doesn’t matter if she has a boyfriend. That was over. If she has a husband, that’s a bigger problem. One glance at her hand and I can tell that isn’t an issue. She’s not wearing a ring and there’s no sign of her wearing one regularly.
“No. This.” She shakes her head. “No.”
