Chapter 15 #2
"Decent taste." Jayda nods approvingly. "We might keep you around after all."
Daniel squeezes my waist, and I catch the relief in his expression.
We've cleared the first hurdle, even if there are countless more ahead.
For now, though, I'll take this small victory - standing in this cozy kitchen, talking punk rock with Daniel's chosen family while breakfast sizzles on the griddle.
I settle onto their worn leather couch, balancing my plate of pancakes on my knee. The living room buzzes with comfortable chaos - mismatched cushions, books stacked on every surface, and that wall of memories that keeps drawing my eye.
"Your home is wonderful," I say, meaning every word. "It feels truly lived in. My place back home is all straight lines and antiques nobody dares touch."
Daniel plops down beside me, close enough that our thighs touch. "Rich people problems?" He grins, nudging my shoulder.
"Something like that." I take a bite of pancake to avoid elaborating.
"Oh, you're looking at our wall of shame?" Jayda points with her fork toward the polaroids. "That's from our road trip to New Orleans last summer."
"The one where Danny tried to convince us he could speak French to that bartender?" Caleb snorts.
"Hey, I got us free drinks didn't I?"
"Because he felt sorry for you butchering his language." Jayda reaches up to tap a photo of the three of them, faces flushed and happy, holding hurricane cocktails. "But that weekend was epic."
Daniel leans forward, pointing to another snapshot. "And that's from when we drove to Maine for lobster rolls. Caleb got chased by seagulls."
"Those birds were organized," Caleb protests. "They had a battle plan."
I study each photo, drinking in these glimpses of Daniel's life - his real, messy, beautiful life.
There he is laughing in front of the Grand Canyon, sprawled on a beach in Miami, pulling faces at a Christmas party.
Such a contrast to my own carefully curated photo albums, full of formal events and practiced smiles.
"You all seem to have such adventures together," I say softly.
Daniel's hand finds mine, squeezing gently. "Well, now you can be part of our next one."
The warmth of his touch spreads through my chest, even as guilt twists in my stomach. How many more memories can we make before the truth of who I am changes everything?
Jayda
I stack the breakfast plates while watching Caleb scrub the frying pan, admiring how his long fingers work methodically at a particularly stubborn bit of egg.
My chunky boots squeak against the linoleum as I shift my weight, trying to appear casual despite my burning curiosity.
"So... what's your read on Harald?" I ask, fiddling with the silver rings on my fingers while waiting for my boyfriend's inevitably shrewd assessment.
"He's hiding something." Caleb doesn't look up from his scrubbing, his wrist moving in tight, focused circles that make the metal wool pad squeak against the non-stick surface.
"Did you notice how he dodged every question about his work or family?
Like, he'd give these vague non-answers about 'working in government' and 'having a complicated family situation.
' Classic deflection tactics if you ask me.
" His tone carries that analytical edge I've come to know so well - the same one he uses when he's piecing together the plot twists in those mystery novels he loves so much.
"Mhmm." I methodically wipe down the counter with slow, deliberate strokes, my mind replaying Harald's carefully constructed responses about 'consulting' and 'family business' from earlier.
The practiced way he'd redirected questions reminded me of politicians I'd seen on TV.
"But the way he looks at Danny though—that's real.
" I say it with absolute certainty, because I've seen enough people feign interest in my best friend to know the difference.
When Harald gazes at Danny, his eyes soften with a warmth that no amount of social polish could fake, like he's seeing something precious and rare.
It's the kind of look that makes my protective instincts war with my romantic heart.
"Yeah, not like Alex's greasy little snake eyes.
" Caleb's jaw tightens at the mention of Danny's ex, and I can practically feel the tension radiating off him.
Neither of us can forget how broken Danny was after that betrayal.
Caleb rinses the pan with more force than necessary, the water splashing against the metal like his barely contained anger.
"Harald seems... I don't know, genuine? Despite the mystery act.
And I know that doesn't make sense." He pauses, scrubbing at a particularly stubborn spot as if it personally offended him.
"There's something almost vulnerable about him when he thinks no one's watching, you know what I mean? "
"The sunflowers were a nice touch. I'm not sure if he even realized that those are Danny's favorite flowers," I smile, glancing at the bright yellow blooms now sitting in our best vase.
The cheerful petals seem to glow in the late afternoon light streaming through our kitchen window, making the whole room feel warmer somehow.
"And he actually listened when Danny talked.
Didn't try to make it all about himself.
You could see it in his eyes, the way he was completely focused on every word, like Danny's stories about his terrible job were the most fascinating things he'd ever heard. "
"True." Caleb dries his hands methodically on our striped kitchen towel and leans his lanky frame against the counter, adjusting his ever-present beanie with still-damp fingers. "Plus, he laughed at my jokes. That's major points right there."
"You mean your terrible puns?" I bump his hip playfully with mine as I pass by.
"But seriously, I haven't seen Danny this happy in ages.
The way his whole face lit up when Harald walked in.
.." I trail off, remembering how Daniel's eyes had sparkled with genuine joy, something I hadn't witnessed since well before the Alex disaster.
It was like watching a flower bloom after a long winter - subtle but unmistakable, the kind of transformation that makes your heart squeeze with hope.
"I know." Caleb wraps an arm around my waist. "Just hope Harald doesn't break his heart. Danny's been through enough."
"We'll break his legs and drown him in concrete if he does.
" I rest my head on Caleb's shoulder, feeling the soft fabric of his well-worn cardigan against my cheek.
The familiar scent of his sandalwood cologne wraps around me like a comfort blanket.
"But I've got a good feeling about this one.
Did you see how nervous he was meeting us?
Like our approval actually mattered to him.
" I can't help but smile, remembering how Harald had fidgeted with his watch strap and kept smoothing down his perfectly pressed shirt.
It was endearing, really - this polished, clearly wealthy man so concerned about impressing Danny's ramshackle found family.
After the nightmare with Alex, seeing someone treat Daniel with such genuine respect feels like a breath of fresh air.
"Yeah, not exactly giving off rich asshole vibes despite the fancy watch and that tailored suit that probably costs more than our monthly rent.
" Caleb kisses my temple, his lips lingering there for a moment as I lean into his familiar touch.
"Though what kind of government consultant needs a security detail?
I mean, those two guys hovering near the elevator entrance in the hallway weren't exactly subtle with their earpieces and stern faces.
Kind of weird for someone who just helps companies restructure or whatever it is he said he does. "
"You noticed that too hey?" I straighten up.
"Hard to miss. But hey, maybe Harald's just important in Denmark or whatever.
" I shrug, trying to play it casual even though my curiosity is definitely piqued.
The whole setup does seem a bit excessive for a regular business consultant, but who am I to judge how they do things in Europe?
Still, something about this situation niggles at the back of my mind, like a song lyric I can't quite remember.
"You think Danny even registered them, or was he too busy gazing at Sir Handsome von Panty-Dropper?"
Caleb exhales sharply through his nose. "Danny wouldn't have noticed if I moonwalked butt-ass naked through the living room serving waffles. His eyeballs might as well have been surgically attached to Harald’s jawline."
"Should we loop him in?"
"Let him connect the dots. Anyway, Harald's babysitters mean Dan gets free protection by proxy." He brushes crumbs from his jeans. "Upside: our boy stays safe. Downside: I lose my new evening entertainment."