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Lizzy froze mid-chew, her cereal spoon dangling in the air like she'd just witnessed a murder.
"You WHAT?" she screeched, slamming the bowl down so hard milk splashed onto the counter.
"You kissed him? Daria, what kind of kiss are we talking about? A real kiss or a movie kiss or like... did you accidentally fall on his mouth? What happened? Tell me every detail right now or I'm staging a full investigation!"
I covered my face. "Lizzy, calm down. It was just... a little kiss."
"JUST a little kiss? With Nico Costa? Are you insane? That man looks like the main character in every book I read. Daria, this is huge! Oh my god... do you think he likes you? Do you think he's obsessed with you? He definitely obsessed. Do you think you're gonna get married?!"
"LIZZY."
She squealed into her hands, spun in a circle, then pointed at me.
"I knew it. I KNEW something was happening. I could FEEL it in my bones."
I groaned. "Please stop talking."
She didn't. She just bounced in place like she might explode.
"Oh my god, this is better than TV."
I rolled my eyes, I need to leave for work before she explodes.
Work had been normal. Calm.
Boring enough that all I did was replay Nico's hands on my waist, Nico's voice in my ear, Nico's mouth on mine.
I needed therapy.
And Nessa.
Oh, Nessa needed prison.
Because at 4:57 PM, I walked out of the building to head home... and I froze.
A tall, lanky guy with glasses and brown hair was standing there holding a bouquet of pink flowers.
Pink.
My favorite color. What a coincidence.
He smiled like this was all planned. Definitely planned.
"Daria?"
"Oh..."I blinked. "Hi?"
"I'm Cameron," he said, stepping forward with the shyness of a puppy in human form. "Nessa told me you'd be done work at this time, I thought I'd stop by and... say hello. And officially ask you on a date."
He held the flowers out.
"Oh. Um... thank you, I—"
My voice trailed off.
Because a very familiar black car turned the corner.
A very familiar driver, a man climbing out with murder in his eyes.
Oh no. No way...
How did he even know—
"Nico?" I whispered.
He didn't smile, didn't even look at the flowers.
He looked at my legs first, and looked at Cameron like he was ready to commit a crime.
Then he looked at me.
"Daria."
His voice was deep. Oh God... Why am I so nervous?
"Who's your friend?"
I felt my entire soul leave my body.
Jules called my phone.
"Boss," he said, out of breath. "There's a man outside her workplace. With flowers. For her."
Everything inside me went black and silent.
Then murderous.
"What man," I said calmly.
"Uh—tall, thin, messy hair, glasses. Definitely not a threat. Looks like he works at a library or some shit."
"Flowers?" I repeated.
"Yes."
"That's enough."
I stood. "I'm on my way."
I didn't think. Didn't hear a single word Jules said after.
I drove fast. When I pulled up, I saw her first.
My sweet little problem in a black skirt and soft curls.
And then I saw him. He held flowers, standing too close to her. Smiling at her as if I won't rip all his teeth out one by one.
Talking to her like he even had the right to look at her.
My jaw clenched so fucking hard it hurt.
This weak little shit couldn't protect her from a sidewalk crack, let alone the world. He couldn't handle her body, her fire, her softness. He didn't have to.
He sure as fuck couldn't handle what she looked like falling apart on my fingers.
I walked straight toward them.
"Daria," I said. "Who's your friend?"
She stiffened, wide-eyed.
"Uh—Nico—this is Cameron. He was just—"
He held the flowers tighter and stepped forward like he wasn't afraid to die.
"I'm—uh—her date."
He wasn't, never would be.
Shitty-ass pink flowers. Please.
I'd buy her an entire rose garden if she wanted pink.
She didn't need that weak shit.
I stared at him until he swallowed, another voice rang out.
"Oh, you must be Nico."
I looked at her.
She strutted out with her iced latte like she was entering a drama scene.
Cameron smiled. "Nessa told me about Daria. She's beautiful, just like she said."
Nessa.
Of-fucking-course.
Beautiful? He didn't even know the meaning of the word.
My jaw flexed so hard. I was trying to control any murderous thought I had.
So it was her.
The one setting up dates for my girl.
The one who needed to mind her fucking business. She's the one who thought Daria needed someone. Probably someone safe.
Safe wasn't going to protect her, or lift her onto a table and make her come apart.
I stepped closer.
"Let's go, Daria."
My hand came up, palm open, her breath caught. I was giving her a choice.
She hesitated, looking between them.
Then put her hand in mine.
Good fucking girl.
I grabbed the flowers from Cameron without looking at him and shoved them into Nessa's hands.
"For you."
She scoffed. "Wow. Charming."
Daria whispered looking at Nessa, "Nico..."
I ignored it.
I took her hand, lacing my fingers with hers, and gently tugged her toward my car.
She followed, this time willingly.