Page 22 of Sin Bins and Second Chances
Her mom used to be a night owl, so I’m surprised she’s not downstairs when we walk in the front door. Daisy catches me glancing around and laughs.
“She’s out of town. She’s been in Europe with her friends for the last three weeks. Actually, she was supposed to be home now, but they extended their trip for like two more weeks I think.” Daisy steps out of her boots, then carefully places them on the shoe rack next to the door. “I wouldn’t be surprised if they extend it again to stay even longer.” She shakes her head with a laugh. “Come on, let’s eat.” Daisy grabs my hand and leads me to the kitchen.
Wait, does this mean Daisy’s been all alone for the last few weeks? I don’t like the idea of that. Someone as precious as Daisy. What if something happened to her. The ideas form in my head, ways I can find myself over here every day while her mom is gone. Someone has to look after her and there is no better man for the job.
It takes my eyes a minute to adjust when she turns the lights on in the space. It differentfrom how it was when we were growing up. They’ve updated part of the kitchen and dining area. It seems larger, but still has that cozy feeling.
“Wow.”
“Yeah. Once the bakery started picking up, I knew I needed to change the layout and really help make it easier on myself.” She takes the bag of food from my hand and places it on the island. “Uncle Beau and Grandpa helped, of course. It’s what family does.”
“Not Andrew?” I tease, because I know he was improving the farm stand he built on the edge of the property for her. I was happy her family was helping her, but it should’ve been me. All this time, I should’ve been the one doing these things for her.
Daisy laughs. “He actually built me a stand that I quickly outgrew, and then made it bigger and better. It’s become a nice little family project, though. I love it and I’ve always loved to bake.”
“I remember.” I step closer. “You used to bake me cookies the night before every game.” I move to be a little closer. ”You baked me a cake on my birthdays.” And closer. “I remember everything.” I glance down at her lips just as she licks them.
“Remember the first time I nailed the buttermilkbiscuits?” She chews on the edge of her lip as her eyes flicker from my eyes to my lips, then back up again.
I would never forget that night. Biscuits and gravy are my favorite, and she insisted on perfecting the recipe before she let me try hers. It was the same night we confessed our deepest feelings. The first and last time I ever told a girl I loved them. A night of firsts. It wasn’t my first time, although I wish it had been. It was hers, though, and it made it that much more special. She was my fucking world.
Still is.
I raise my hand and brush some of her unruly red waves behind her ear. My hand lingers on her jaw. “I remember.Everything.”
My lips press to hers the moment I have them raised. Or maybe she meets me halfway, I’m not sure. All I know isthisis one of those moments—the defining ones that set the course of the future. I know it’s not over for us, it never was.
I pull back slowly and see the desire in her eyes. Fuck, if I could give in. As much as I want to continue and make things go further, it’s not time. I can’t risk going all the way yet when Iknow she will try to push me away after. She’s fighting what is happening between us. I know how our story ends. It’s as inevitable as knowing the earth revolves around the sun.
Daisy Miles is my everything and I won’t stop until she believes it too.
Chapter Twelve
DAISY
The afternoon air is heavy with a sticky heat. It’s unusually humid, and I wish the distant clouds would bring rain. The forecast predicted rain. However, Texas weather is notoriously unpredictable.
I’ve been standing in the same spot along the fence for a while, getting lost in my thoughts after helping with some of the morning chores.
“Penny for your thoughts.” Grandma walks up next to me.
Every afternoon, like clockwork, she brings Grandpa a sweet iced tea. Most of the time, she’ll bring him a sandwich or a snack too. She alwayssaid cooking for others was her love language. I know it’s where I get my love of baking, from her.
My thoughts have consumed me most of the day. I do my best deep thinking out here near the cows. I don’t know what it is about that fact. My eyes follow Grandpa as he walks around with some cows in the front pasture. Some of my favorite memories were being little and helping him with them so I could call myself a cowgirl. It’s why I can think more clearly out here.
Turning to face my grandmother, I see her admiring her husband. The look in her eyes reveals a lifetime of cherished memories the two of them share. It’s a love that has weathered storms and grown stronger with each passing moment. This is a true love that I wish I deserved.
While I realize twenty-five isn’t old, it also feels like time is moving on around me. I’m older now than my mom was when she had me, which makes me feel destined to be alone forever. I thought I would be okay with that, but maybe I’m not.
“How did you know he was the one?” I blurt out.
She chuckles next to me. “Hewouldn’t take no for an answer.”
“Grandma, that’s not cool.” I glance back and forth between them.
“Oh, honey. No, not like that. We were friends first. Our families were friends. I always thought we’d just be friends, but he had other plans in mind. It was the little things I noticed at first. He was the first at my side at any opportunity. He was always trying to prove himself capable of being a provider. Anytime I got a wild idea, he was the first to volunteer.” Grandma laughs. “When I say he wouldn’t take no for an answer, it’s because it was like it was never part of his vocabulary. That man wouldn’t let me believe I was living in anything but ayesworld, as if everything were right at my fingertips.”
Wow!
