Chapter 3
Running late to meet Zara, Daisy stopped by her apartment to pick up Frankie.
A little over a year ago, she’d been dating a guy who worked at the shelter, and when she stopped by to meet him for lunch, there he was.
The guy said they thought the dog was eight years old.
Poor little, sad-looking dog was curled up in a corner of the kennel, patiently waiting for his forever home.
That dog was hands down the best thing to come out of the short-lived relationship.
Daisy pushed the thrift store shopping cart, which contained her oversized vintage Coach purse and Frankie, whose tail wagged whenever they passed another patron.
“I don’t get it.” Daisy sighed, sifting through a rack of gauzy bohemian dresses.
“I thought Shawn and I were in sync, you know?”
Her best friend snorted, examining a wildly patterned caftan. “He was so boring. All that talk about his high-powered finance job, making the right connections, and his obnoxious rich friends. Total snoozeville.”
Frankie woofed in apparent agreement, making Daisy crack a small smile. She scratched him behind the ears as they meandered down the aisles.
“Harsh, but true. We had great chemistry. At least, I thought so, but as usual, I was wrong.”
Daisy’s shoulders slumped, remembering Shawn’s parting words about her clinginess. She plucked a crocheted tank from the rack, giving it an appraising look before tossing it in the cart.
Zara pulled her into a hug, her dark eyes full of sympathy.
“You are an incredible friend with a heart bigger than the sun. You just... come on really strong sometimes.”
She softened her voice. “When you meet the right guy, he’ll absolutely adore every part of you.” Then she grinned. “Even the clingy parts.”
Chest tight, Daisy shook her head. “The worst part is, I know I’m coming on too strong, trying to rush things, and yet, I can’t seem to stop myself. Why can’t I make a relationship work? Why is it so difficult?”
Zara motioned to a quiet corner of the store.
“Your big heart is one thing I love about you. But not everyone is ready for that level of intensity right away. You’ve come a long way.
At least now you recognize what you’re doing.
And as how to make relationships work, don’t look at me.
My dry spells between relationships are getting longer and longer. ”
“That’s because you’re so picky.” She sniffed a coat, then put it back with a grimace.
“You really think I’ll meet a guy who isn’t scared off by me wanting to spend all our time together?” Daisy arched a brow. “More likely he’ll run screaming about drowning in my affections.”
“Nah, he’ll be over the moon to have someone so in tune with him.” Zara elbowed her playfully. “Maybe you just haven’t met the right insecure guy who needs you fawning all over him or a guy so secure that it doesn’t bother him.”
Daisy laughed, feeling lighter already. “You’re awful. But point taken.” She adjusted the hem of her fringe-trimmed halter top.
“At least my rose quartz bracelet attracts amazing besties who build me up after crappy breakups.”
“You know it.” Zara grinned. “Now let’s go check out that rack of vintage dresses.”
Fleetwood Mac blared through the thrift store speakers as Daisy and Zara wheeled their cart of vintage finds to the checkout. Frankie, who was now on the floor, danced excitedly around their feet, ready for their next adventure.
After scouring the pop-up flea market for hidden treasures, Daisy and Zara found themselves in a cozy corner cafe, enjoying a late lunch.
The sun streamed through the large windows, casting a warm glow on their table.
Daisy took a bite of her avocado toast, savoring the creamy texture mixed with sea salt and honey.
Zara fiddled with her napkin, her gaze flickering between her plate and Daisy’s face.
“So, I have some news,” she said, biting her lip.
“I’ve been offered a job in Philadelphia. It’s an incredible opportunity, and I’ve decided to take it.” Her friend fidgeted in the chair.
Daisy’s hand froze halfway to her mouth, the toast forgotten. “What? You’re moving away? When?”
Zara took a deep breath. “In a few weeks. I know it’s sudden, but it’s a once-in-a-lifetime kind of thing. I can’t pass it up.”
The old familiar feelings crept up the back of her throat as her appetite vanished.
“I can’t believe you’re leaving. First Shawn, now you? Why does everyone always leave me?”
The words came out harsher than she intended, and Daisy immediately regretted them, seeing the hurt flash across Zara’s face.
“I’m not leaving you. I’m just moving. We’ll still be friends, no matter where I live.”
The bitter taste still in her mouth, Daisy swallowed, then ran a hand through her hair.
“I know, I’m sorry. It’s just... it feels like everyone I care about ends up disappearing on me.”
Zara reached across the table, covering Daisy’s hand with her own. “This isn’t the same as your parents, or Shawn, or anyone else. I’m not abandoning you, but life happens and we have to change with it.”
“I know. I’m happy for you, really. It’s an amazing opportunity.” Daisy nodded, squeezing her best friend’s hand.
They sat in silence for a moment, the clatter of dishes and murmur of conversation filling the space between them. Finally, Zara spoke again.
“Have you given any more thought to getting a more stable job? I know you love the flexibility of your side hustles, but you’re so smart. You could do so much more.”
Daisy shrugged, picking at the remnants of her toast. “The idea of being stuck in a stuffy office all day, having to be there for certain hours, and answering to someone? It makes my skin crawl. I like being my own boss, setting my own hours. I want stability in my relationships, not my job.”
Zara nodded. “I get that. But what about that marketing job I told you about? It’s creative, it’s dynamic, and I think you’d be really good at it. Just promise me you’ll think about it?”
She sighed, but a small smile tugged at the corner of her mouth. “Fine, I’ll think about it. But only because you’re my best friend and I love you, even if you are moving away.”
Her closest friend grinned, raising her glass of sparkling wine in a mock toast. “To new adventures, both in Philly and right here in Boston.”
As Daisy clinked her glass against Zara’s, the weight in her chest eased a bit. Change was something she’d never been comfortable with, but maybe, just maybe, it could lead to something good this time, maybe even a new beginning?
A few hours later, Daisy flopped back on the tufted velvet sofa, a chilled glass of Pinot Grigio in hand. Frankie was sound asleep, nestled beside Zara’s portly French bulldog, Bart, as the wind rattled the window.
“This wine is delicious.” Daisy wiggled her bare toes against the plush, jewel-toned shag rug. “You found some great stuff today.”
Zara emerged from the walk-in closet, carefully stepping into a pair of embroidered velvet bell bottoms. “I love these.”
She tossed a granny square crocheted crop top Daisy’s way with a grin. “I saw you eyeing this. It’s too small for my big boobs, so it’s yours.”
Laughing, Daisy caught it and tried it on, admiring the bright colors. Her outfit for tonight was coming together. Tonight she was going all out, no more downplaying her eclectic style to please some buttoned-up rigid guy.
“We’re still meeting Kat and Meg for drinks, right?” Daisy asked, finger-combing her hair and securing the small braids on either side with a sparkly hair clip.
“Absolutely.” Zara plopped down beside her with a groan, reaching over to pat her dog.
“We haven’t all gotten together in forever. Those two will probably have three guys in mind to fix you up with before we’ve finished the first cocktail.”
“And you have to tell them all about your move and new job.” Daisy looked around. “I hope you find an apartment as fabulous as this one.”
Several hours later, Daisy was only too happy to spill the details over jalapeno margaritas with her squad. Kat shook her cropped platinum curls in dismay as Daisy recounted Shawn’s scathing parting words.
“What a jerk!” Kat took an indignant sip of her drink. “You deserve way better than that self-involved rich bore.”
Meg nodded, rainbow bangs bobbing. “Seriously. You didn’t even really like Shawn, you just liked the idea of a successful finance whiz with stability and a secure future.”
Daisy opened her mouth to protest that she had really liked Shawn, but the words stuck in her throat as the truth in Meg’s statement washed over her.
Her parents had been many things, but stable was never one of them. Their lives were a whirlwind of wanderlust and passion, always chasing the next grand adventure without a thought of Daisy, other than to dump her on friends or leave her to fend for herself whenever they left.
A cute guy walked by, and Kat waggled her brows.
“What you need is a happy medium. Stability and passion all in one delicious package.”
A snort escaped from Zara. “She’d have better luck winning the lottery.”
The girls dissolved into laughter, clinking glasses as the DJ spun a throwback 90s track, as Daisy’s mood shifted, and she vowed to try harder not to hold on so tightly.