Chapter 13 Daisy
DAISY
It’s been a tradition since first semester of freshman year that Aunt Marnie hosts family dinners twice a month.
There are times when we’re able to get together more than that.
And there are others when we’re lucky to get together once a month.
Football season is always a challenge because Noah’s schedule is packed tight with practices, film review, study sessions, and games.
We never go longer than that without carving out some time.
And I love that.
Love that I’m a part of their close-knit family.
Being that Carter has been Noah’s roommate for just as long, he’s been invited from the beginning. My aunt and uncle took an instant liking to Carter, bringing him into the fold and treating him like family.
It used to aggravate the hell out of me. Now, I’m not sure how I feel. Our relationship has changed over the last two weeks. We’re no longer at each other’s throats.
Just as Noah, Carter, and I walk through the front door of the house, my cell vibrates. I pull it from my purse only to see that it’s a text from my aunt. Instead of opening the message, I pocket the phone. Now that I’m here, I can speak with her in person.
The laughing, chattering voice doesn’t penetrate my mental fog until I’ve entered the kitchen and it’s too late. My gaze lands on her and I stumble to a halt, trying to make sense of the woman sitting in Aunt Marnie’s house.
What the—
“Baby girl!” Mom shrieks as if I’m hard of hearing and we haven’t seen one another in years. She flies from her chair, rushing forward and swallowing me up in her arms. I nearly suffocate on the heavy cloud of Chanel perfume she’s cloaked in. Subtlety has never been my mother’s strong suit.
Still in a state of shock, I stare at my aunt over Mom’s shoulder in bewilderment.
I’m desperate for her to tell me that this is a bad dream.
The sympathetic expression painted across her face says that it’s not.
Only now do I realize that the text she’d recently fired off was a warning to prepare myself.
With her hands on my shoulders, Mom leans back so she can look me over. A delighted grin stretches across her Botox injected face. “Are you surprised?”
Surprised?
Surprised is an understatement.
“Shocked.” Like I’ve just been punched in the face for no reason.
I love my mother, I really do, but she’s a lot to deal with.
To say that she’s high maintenance is putting it mildly.
I need to mentally prepare whenever I’m going to be around her for any length of time.
If I don’t, our visits end up going sideways and that’s not fun for either of us.
She claps her hands together like a child on Christmas morning. “Oh good! You know how much I enjoy a good surprise.”
“Mission accomplished,” I say wryly, still trying to wrap my brain around the fact that she’s standing in Aunt Marnie’s kitchen. She belongs in Europe. Not here. It’s like stumbling upon an exotic animal on a city street. Unexpected and not entirely welcome.
Oblivious to my inner turmoil, she loops her arm through mine and drags me to the table to sit down. Her hands immediately go to my face as she takes a long hard look at me. Her expression transforms into one of seriousness.
“Oh, my poor baby,” she coos dramatically.
I’m tempted to roll my eyes, but don’t. I know what’s coming next. Mom tends to keep to the script, which makes it easier for all of us to play our parts.
She turns my face from one side to the other, studying my complexion with a critical eye. “You look tired, Daisy. Are you getting enough rest?”
I’ve only been in her presence for a handful of minutes and already she’s starting in on me.
My brows flatten. “Yes, Mom,” I grumble, embarrassed to have her attention focused on me in front of everyone. “I’m fine.”
“How long has it been since I last saw you?” Even though she tosses out the question, she doesn’t give me time to respond. “A month and a half?”
“Yup.” I boarded a plane bound for the States a little more than six weeks ago.
“Your face looks puffy.” Her eyes narrow. “Tell me about your salt intake.”
“Mom,” I groan. In mom speak, puffy means that I’ve gained weight. Too bad Ashley isn’t here, these two would hit it off like gangbusters.
“Thank goodness I arrived just in time for an intervention. We need to plan a spa day ASAP. A seaweed wrap is precisely what’s needed in a situation like this.” She flicks her gaze toward her sister. “You’re a nurse, Marnie. Wouldn’t you agree with that clinical diagnosis?”
My aunt shakes her head. “I don’t really think—”
Mom waves her off. “Of course, you do. One must take care of their body. A nice seaweed detox will leave you feeling refreshed and hydrated. I can’t go more than a week without having one.
” She leans closer and lowers her voice to a conspiratorial whisper.
“Sometimes, when the stress really gets to me, I sneak in a second wrap.”
I stare silently for a moment before shaking my head.
“Mom, I’m taking five classes this semester, I don’t have time for that.
” And even if I did, that’s not how I would choose to spend my free time.
The thought of being covered in seaweed grosses me out.
Plus, I don’t like the smell. It makes me want to gag.
“Please,” she snorts as if I’ve said something ridiculous. “There is always time for pampering. It’s important to take care of oneself, Daisy. If I’ve taught you anything, it’s that.”
She’s right. It’s the golden rule she lives by.
Mom glances at her sister with a considering look. “You should join us, Marnie. You’re looking a little haggard around the eyes. I’m sure it’s from working such long hours at the hospital. Being around all those,” she falters. “Unwell patients can’t be good for you.”
Aunt Marnie presses her lips together and shakes her head. Like me, she’s used to this behavior.
I see the exact moment Mom becomes aware of Carter. Her body straightens, and her features sharpen. She looks like a bird dog who has just spotted fresh quarry. Frankly, I’m surprised it took so long.
Even though Noah and Carter have been friends for years, he’s lucky to have never crossed paths with Lydia Bellamy.
Apparently, that’s about to change. I’m more than aware that Mom is about to embarrass the hell out of me, but I’m relieved to have her attention diverted somewhere else so I can mentally regroup.
And to think I was looking forward to coming here tonight and spending time with Aunt Marnie and Uncle Craig. Obviously, that plan has been shot to smithereens. Enjoyable will be the last thing this evening turns out to be.
“Well, hello there, tall, dark, and handsome,” Mom purrs. I cringe, slumping further on my chair. “I don’t believe we’ve had the pleasure of being introduced.” Rather delicately, she holds out a manicured hand for Carter to shake.
Or kiss.
Or whatever.
I almost expect her to lower her voice and whisper huskily enchanté.
Noah jumps in to make introductions as Carter steps forward. Lydia’s gaze rakes over his muscular body with an embarrassing amount of interest. I’m tempted to point out that Carter is her nephew’s age. Not to mention my age, but it’s doubtful that would make a difference.
Instead I ask, “Did Frederique come with you?”
At the sound of her husband’s name, Mom tears her gaze reluctantly from the man candy in front of her. “Oh, no. I’m here alone. Freddy is much too busy to get away for a spur of the moment trip. I’m going to meet him in Dubai next week.”
“Does that mean you’ll be staying in town until then?” Aunt Marnie asks, her voice lacking enthusiasm.
“Yes!” Mom claps her hands together again with excitement. “Won’t that be fun?”
“It would have been,” her sister says carefully. “Unfortunately, I have to work.” My aunt’s gaze encompasses me. “And Daisy is busy with classes.” More gently she adds, “Perhaps if you’d given me some notice, I could have taken some vacation time.”
Mom’s perfectly plucked brows slide together in confusion. “But that would have ruined the surprise.”
We stare in silence.
Aunt Marnie shrugs as if to say well, I tried.
And I get it. Lydia’s world revolves around, well, Lydia.
Everyone else is a distant planet in her solar system.
It’s been that way for as long as I can remember.
Over the years, I’ve learned to accept Mom for who she is.
If I didn’t, our interactions would only leave me feeling angry and frustrated.
We’re distracted from further conversation when Uncle Craig walks through the back door with his briefcase in hand. The way he stumbles to a halt when he sees my mother has me biting my lower lip to hide my amusement.
Mom gives him her most winning smile. “Surprise!”
He stares at her for a long moment before his gaze swings to his wife.
My uncle has a pretty good poker face, but I know he doesn’t enjoy Mom’s visits.
She can be a disruptive, pain in the ass (per Uncle Craig during her last visit).
Aunt Marnie’s shoulders shake with unconcealed mirth as she turns back to the stove to check dinner.
Sixty minutes later and I’m planning my escape.
Mom has the tendency to make me feel claustrophobic.
While everyone is busy talking after dinner, I quietly excuse myself and sneak out the back door.
The sun has just dipped below the horizon as I settle onto a lounger near the pool and stretch my legs out in front of me.
I close my eyes and suck in a breath before slowly exhaling.
It takes a conscious effort to release the tension from my tightened muscles.