16. Only Shot
16
Only Shot
Asher
A light rain falls as we exit the taxi in front of the Field Museum, but it doesn’t put a damper on Daisy’s energy.
“So, this is another building from Burnham’s plan for Chicago,” she says, pointing at the imposing structure. “See, Burnham might have been born in New York State, but Chicago was his one true love.”
I grin, shaking my head, but I’m really starting to see the appeal of this city. It’s packed with history and architecture, and there are a lot of cool things to do.
“The Field Museum was built in 1921. You can clearly see the Classical Revival elements that Burnham loved so much, a style so present in Chicago. It’s a natural history museum.” She wiggles her eyebrows. “I hope you like dinosaurs, because it houses the largest and most complete T-rex skeleton discovered to this day, and the largest dinosaur ever discovered!”
“Oh, I love dinosaurs. I’m curious. Why is it called the Field Museum? Any link to the Marshall Field you told me about earlier?”
Her eyes light up. “Absolutely. Marshall Field donated a large sum to make this museum possible, so it was named in his honor. Should we go inside?”
We step into the museum, but we have to wait a long time to get in. I guess it’s a popular spot on rainy days.
We start our exploration, and this place is even more fun than I expected. To be fair, Daisy has a way of making everything sweeter. We wander through the various exhibits, soaking up everything the museum has to offer.
But no matter how captivating the displays are, they have nothing on Daisy. The exhibition that showcases the sights and sounds of the African continent is captivating and immersive, but with Daisy’s lily perfume enveloping me, there’s little else I can focus on.
Sure, Maximo—the biggest dinosa ur skeleton in the world—is impressive, but it pales in comparison to Daisy’s full smile when she tells me about the discovery.
Each interactive display, each immersive exhibition or life-size replica, can only hold my attention for so long, because when you’ve got Daisy Harden as a guide, nothing can ever come close. And that’s starting to terrify me.
Finally, we’ve seen everything we wanted to see, but our stomachs are growling so bad, we decide to eat at the museum’s café before continuing with our day.
We sit down at the table with our food.
“That was pretty cool, huh?” she says, popping a french fry in her mouth. “I love coming here when it rains. I always learn something new.”
I nod. “It was.”
“So, that’s a point for Chicago?” she ventures, a teasing glint in her eyes.
I tilt my head to the side. “Are we still keeping score?”
“Of course. How would you make your choice otherwise?”
I chuckle. “Hmm. Well, the American Museum of Natural History in New York is pretty cool too. Probably even cooler. They did shoot three movies there.”
Her cheeks flush red as she takes a bite of her burger. “Oh, come on. The exhibits and artifacts have to tilt the scale, not the fact that it was a mo vie set. I think Chicago wins this one.”
I’m about to protest, but something in my chest stings. Because as much as I’m enjoying myself with Daisy, I’m only here so that New York can get the upper hand on Chicago. Although, my commitment to that cause is weakening by the hour.
After the Field Museum, we head to the Shedd Aquarium, and it trumps the New York one. Even if the last time I went was when I was in high school, I’m sure it’s not as spectacular. We get lost in the quiet, eerie building, admiring the seahorses, belugas, white dolphins, and other aquatic species that call this place home.
“Oh, shoot,” Daisy says, checking her phone as we’re leaving the sea otter enclosure. “I have to stop by the office to show my colleague something about the project we’re working on. Do you want to stay here, or . . .?”
My throat and chest tighten at the same time. I was both dreading and looking forward to hearing Daisy say those words. “No, I’ll come with you.”
“Great.” She flashes her perfect smile.
Once we exit the aquarium, we tak e a taxi to the Hackett Studios building.
“Asher, Daisy,” Jan says with a smile as we pass by her office. “I was hoping you’d stop by.”
“Hey, Jan,” Daisy says. “I need to talk to Andrew about the Olion project.”
“Go ahead.” Jan nods. “But I actually asked everyone to step into the conference room in fifteen minutes. Since you’re here, can you join us? I’ll chat with Asher in the meantime.”
“Of course,” Daisy says, shooting me a faint smile before hustling down the corridor.
“Can I get you something to drink?” Jan asks, turning back to me.
I smile. “I’m good, thank you.”
“Come with me. I need a coffee,” she says, and I follow her to the break room. The elongated room features wooden counters and cupboards lining one wall with high tables and stools on the other.
“So,” Jan says, grabbing a mug from the cupboard before placing it in the machine. “Have you made your decision yet?”
I swallow hard, forcing myself to look her in the eye. “Not quite.”
She fixes me in a hard stare. “ You’re leaving tomorrow, Asher. You’re going to have to give me something.”
“Actually, I’m staying for another week.” I shove my hands in my pockets, trying to appear casual. “I have family here, and I’m going to the Architecture Foundation Gala with Daisy on Thursday, so—”
“You are?” She studies me for a second before pressing the machine button. “That’s good.”
“Will you be there?” I ask, suddenly wondering if we should come clean about the fake dating situation.
She shakes her head. “No. I have my daughter’s fencing competition in Indiana, but it’s a nice event. You’ll enjoy it, I think. And I’m glad you’re staying longer.”
“Me too.” I nod. “There’s so much to see, and we lost a day with the storm, so—”
“Don’t worry,” she says, waving a hand in dismissal. “I can free up Daisy’s schedule so she can keep showing you around. I’m sure she’s having a blast. She might have to come back to the office more often this week, but that way, you and I will have the opportunity to chat more.”
I force a smile. “Sounds good.”
She glances at her watch, then grabs her coffee mug. “I have to head over to the conference room. It shouldn’t take too long. You can hang around here or have another look at the building. I’ll tell Daisy to find you when we’re done.”
I give a curt nod. “Thanks, Jan .”
Once she and the rest of the firm trickle into the conference room, I double-check that I’m alone, then reluctantly walk to Daisy’s office. I really wish I didn’t have to do this, but this is probably my only shot. And if I’m extending my trip by an entire week, I’ll have to give Doug something to show for it.
I creep into Daisy’s empty office, my heart thundering as I sit behind her desk. Everything about this feels wrong, but I remind myself I have no choice. I turn her computer on and open the software. The password prompt pops up, and I try a few combinations based on what I know about her. But as I do, a lump grows in my throat until I can hardly breathe. My skin itches, and my chest aches with every heartbeat. Swiftly, I exit the software and turn the computer off. Sweat beads on my forehead as I drop my head in my hands. I don’t think I can do this.
Daisy
When I open the door of our townhouse, I see Lucy’s shoes in the foyer and let out a breath of relief.
“Thank heavens you’re back, ” I say, lingering at her open bedroom door.
“Hey, you!” She stands up from behind her desk and gives me a big hug. “Are you okay?” she asks, patting my hair. “I can’t believe you went through that huge storm by yourself.”
My eyes dart to the ceiling as I search for a way to explain what happened. As I do, I almost blurt out a laugh. How could I when I don’t even know myself?
“What’s going on?” She frowns, fixing her deep green eyes on me.
I blow out a breath. “Okay, I have a bit of a problem. I wasn’t alone yesterday. Asher was here.”
Her eyes stretch wide, and she lets out a squeal. “He was? Oh, that’s great. He seems like the perfect rebound guy.”
“He’s the worst rebound guy!” I groan, sitting on her bed with my head in my hands. “He doesn’t want a relationship. He has all this drama with his family; you have no idea how complicated it is. We’re going to his mom’s tonight, and he was practically shaking with anxiety when we said goodbye earlier.”
She jolts back. “Wait, you’re going to his mom’s?”
“It’s a nightmare.” I flop back onto her bed. “I told him I’d be there. Like I said, it’s complicated. They haven’t spoken in over two decades, and I ki nd of pushed him to reconnect with her. So I’m going with him as moral support.”
“Wow.” She sits down next to me. “Okay. What’s the problem, then? You two seem to be hitting it off.”
“We are. I think.” Butterflies take flight in my belly as my mind drifts to Asher and all the moments we’ve shared these past few days. I’ve never had so much fun with anyone before, and we have a lot in common. “We almost kissed,” I say, then press my hand over my mouth.
“What?” she swivels on her elbow, pulling my hand away. “Explain!”
I sigh, sitting back up. “I don’t know. He rode out the storm here, and there was a moment in the fort when we got super close, and I’m sure he was going to kiss me.”
She quirks an eyebrow. “The fort?”
“We built a pillow fort.”
The corners of her lips twitch into a smile. “You built a pillow fort with him?”
My face warms. “Yes.”
“How more perfect can this guy be for you?” she says with a chuckle.
“No! He’s not, Luce. He doesn’t even live here.”
“But he might be living here soon.” Her eyes are gleaming now, and I avert my gaze. Lucy’s energy is always so contagious. I don’t want my eye s to sparkle over Asher. Not gonna happen. “When does he leave? He’ll have to make a decision soon, right?”
I wince, taking a deep breath. “He’s staying another week.”
Her forehead wrinkles. “Why? His family?”
“I think that’s part of it, but it’s mostly to go with me to the AFG next week. Todd showed up at our doorstep.”
“What! How long was I gone again?” she jokes. “That’s insane. What happened?”
“He came to check on me, because of the storm, I guess, but Asher opened the door, and I’m not sure what happened next. I was in the shower. But when I arrived, Asher was telling Todd we were dating and that he had to back off. He only said it to get Todd to leave.”
“ Or he’s as into you as you are in him,” she suggests, and my heart leaps. “Think about it. What guy would go all protective and lie about dating a girl if he doesn’t have an interest in her?”
For a brief second, I allow my mind to go there. To that place where Asher and I are dating our way through the city, snuggling in front of the TV at night. It’s such a perfect picture, my heart aches, but then reality hits.
I shake my head vigorously. “No . I think he just saw how persistent Todd’s been all week now that he has my new number, and it set him off.”
“Mm. I don’t know,” she says, smoothing her shoulder-length hair. “Anyway, you’re going to the gala with him. I guess you’ll know more when the big night comes?”
I shrug. “There’s nothing, Luce. It’s not going to happen.”
Her teasing smile falls. “But what if he is truly interested and decides to stay?”
My heart pounds like a jackhammer, but this time, I don’t let the picture form in my head. “No. Nothing good can come from that. I’d be working with him for the rest of my life! Better not to muddy the water. What would happen if we broke up, huh?”
“I never knew you to be a Negative Nancy.” She cocks her head, her dark-brown hair catching the light. “But worst-case scenario, there will be a vacancy in New York.”
I shoot her a sharp glance, then hit her with a pillow. Giggling, she draws me into her arms and rubs my back. “Slow down, Daisy. You’ll figure this all out. If it’s meant to be, it’ll be.”
I nod, humming as I take in the reassuring scent of her amber perfume. I can only hope she’s right, because I really don’t know how I’m going to figu re out this whole mess before Asher flies back to New York.