Chapter Eleven
ETHAN
As I drive onto the ranch, I take the first turn and make my way under a canopy of trees leading to Daisy’s home. Although it’s late, I can still remember what it looks like during the day.
It was always the prettiest entrance of all the houses on the property, in my opinion. It always felt like a forgotten park surrounded by the best climbing trees and peppered with a few plum, apple, and pecan trees.
We pull up to the house and I don’t hesitate to jump out and run around to the other side, making sure I’m the one to open the door. I decided before tonight I would pull every move in the book to make this girl fall for me again. There wasn’t another option.
I never believed in fate or destiny, but there was something otherworldly about being back here with her. We were both single, and I knew deep in my bones that fact was for a reason. She wouldn’t escape my grasp again. I couldn’t let her go.
I wouldn’t give her a choice either.
“Do you want to come in and eat together?” She nibbles on the edge of her lip.
“I don’t want to impose.” My hand squeezes the side of the door and I swallow. Come on.
Daisy shakes her head. “You wouldn’t be. I don’t want the food to get more cold by the time you get home.” Her gaze flickers to her home, then back to me.
“I’d love to.” I blurt out.
When she smiles back at me… fuck, what that does to my insides.
She’d always had me wrapped around her finger and didn’t know it.
I would’ve done anything for her; I still would.
I help her out of the truck and carry the food, following closely behind her up the steps of the small wrap-around porch.
Her mom used to be a night owl, so I’m surprised she’s not downstairs when we walk in the front door. Daisy catches me glancing around and laughs.
“She’s out of town. She’s been in Europe with her friends for the last three weeks.
Actually, she was supposed to be home now, but they extended their trip for like two more weeks I think.
” Daisy steps out of her boots, then carefully places them on the shoe rack next to the door.
“I wouldn’t be surprised if they extend it again to stay even longer.
” She shakes her head with a laugh. “Come on, let’s eat.
” Daisy grabs my hand and leads me to the kitchen.
Wait, does this mean Daisy’s been all alone for the last few weeks?
I don’t like the idea of that. Someone as precious as Daisy.
What if something happened to her. The ideas form in my head, ways I can find myself over here every day while her mom is gone.
Someone has to look after her and there is no better man for the job.
It takes my eyes a minute to adjust when she turns the lights on in the space. It different from how it was when we were growing up. They’ve updated part of the kitchen and dining area. It seems larger, but still has that cozy feeling.
“Wow.”
“Yeah. Once the bakery started picking up, I knew I needed to change the layout and really help make it easier on myself.” She takes the bag of food from my hand and places it on the island. “Uncle Beau and Grandpa helped, of course. It’s what family does.”
“Not Andrew?” I tease, because I know he was improving the farm stand he built on the edge of the property for her. I was happy her family was helping her, but it should’ve been me. All this time, I should’ve been the one doing these things for her.
Daisy laughs. “He actually built me a stand that I quickly outgrew, and then made it bigger and better. It’s become a nice little family project, though. I love it and I’ve always loved to bake.”
“I remember.” I step closer. “You used to bake me cookies the night before every game.” I move to be a little closer. ”You baked me a cake on my birthdays.” And closer. “I remember everything.” I glance down at her lips just as she licks them.
“Remember the first time I nailed the buttermilk biscuits?” She chews on the edge of her lip as her eyes flicker from my eyes to my lips, then back up again.
I would never forget that night. Biscuits and gravy are my favorite, and she insisted on perfecting the recipe before she let me try hers.
It was the same night we confessed our deepest feelings.
The first and last time I ever told a girl I loved them.
A night of firsts. It wasn’t my first time, although I wish it had been.
It was hers, though, and it made it that much more special. She was my fucking world.
Still is.
I raise my hand and brush some of her unruly red waves behind her ear. My hand lingers on her jaw. “I remember. Everything.”
My lips press to hers the moment I have them raised. Or maybe she meets me halfway, I’m not sure. All I know is this is one of those moments—the defining ones that set the course of the future. I know it’s not over for us, it never was.
I pull back slowly and see the desire in her eyes.
Fuck, if I could give in. As much as I want to continue and make things go further, it’s not time.
I can’t risk going all the way yet when I know she will try to push me away after.
She’s fighting what is happening between us.
I know how our story ends. It’s as inevitable as knowing the earth revolves around the sun.
Daisy Miles is my everything and I won’t stop until she believes it too.