Chapter 26
CHAPTER 26
Dad
Is that Rafferty Ames?
Pia
Oh sweetheart, you look so happy!
Dad
Where did you find him?
Daisy
He lives in Wildes now. With his son.
Dad
Duncan didn’t tell me that the last time I spoke to him. Well, I knew about the son.
Pia
None of this matters when our girl is happy, Daniel!
Dad
Right as always, my love. I’m glad you found each other, flower girl.
Daisy
Thanks, guys. I am happy. Very happy.
Pia
See, there’s a reason all those dates didn’t work out. They weren’t meant to be. THIS was waiting for you.
Daisy
Rafferty believes in fate too, so maybe you manifested this.
Pia
I wish I was that crafty, but I’ll take the credit.
Dad
I love you, sweetheart.
Daisy
Love you too. Thank you for all the pictures, I’m glad you’re having the time of your life.
Pia
Glad you’re having the time of yours too.
E ven though they left a little later than they should have, they arrived at the Bower residence on time. The plan was for Wyatt and Rafferty to work the grill while the women lounged around. And because the gorgeous farmhouse that Wyatt had restored had the best view, they could enjoy the sunset together. She’d done that multiple times with Monroe, and she was excited to have Rafferty with her this time.
Monroe and Wyatt welcomed them with open arms, excited about meeting the first date she’d brought to their house. As suspected, the men were instant friends, laughing over something they didn’t bother to share as they went on a tour of the house while Roe and Daisy set up the bar. When the men returned, they toasted to each other and the women dropped onto the couch on the porch while the grilling began.
“Glad you have that glass to catch all your drool,” Monroe said and Daisy laughed.
She hadn’t even realized she was staring, but it was impossible to take her eyes off Rafferty. After everything that had happened that day—his tongue, his fingers, that filthy mouth and the fashion show—it was a miracle she’d allowed them to leave the house. Introducing her childhood best friend to her current best friend was important, and in a way she knew that Wyatt would be a good friend for him to have.
She took a sip of her wine. “He’s distracting.”
“I say that about my husband regularly too. But this is something else. You’re glowing .”
“Happiness will do that to you.”
“Oh please, I know what happiness looks like. This is a post-sex glow.”
Daisy blushed, swigging from her wine as she stared out at the open land at the back of the Bower home. Thanks to Rafferty’s beard, her thighs were still raw and stung slightly every time they rubbed together. It was the most unexpected twist to her day, but she was glad that he’d finally stopped being a gentleman.
“Do we call it tongue sex?”
Roe gasped and almost choked on her wine. “Don’t be so polite, it’s a tongue fucking .”
“That. It was glorious.”
“Is that why you were almost late?”
“Maybe?” She laughed. “It happened in the greenhouse, in the middle of repotting.”
“Holy shit. You let him distract you from repotting? Oh my god, you found someone equally obsessed with plants too!”
“Ha ha ha ,” she deadpanned, but Roe wasn’t wrong. When it came to her garden and greenhouse, Daisy didn’t like being interrupted. She was meticulous about a lot of things and followed a process only she knew. So if someone broke through that barrier of concentration, she had to start over.
Snorting, Roe shrugged. “Need more details, right now.”
“It’s hard to connect the boy I once knew with the man he is now. Because Roe…holy shit, he said some filthy things while making a mess of me.”
Roe faked a swoon. “Good, because you deserve to be tongued into a mess and reminded that you’re fucking perfection.”
“You say the nicest things.”
“Only because he’s saying all the naughtiest things.”
They clinked glasses and chuckled, taking big swigs of their wine. She grabbed the bottle and topped up their glasses.
“And things have been good. Really good. I love his kid and their furry horse of a dog. Being with them has felt…amazing.”
Roe tilted her head. “I can hear the but .”
“What if it’s all temporary?” she admitted softly.
“Honey, I want you to listen to me, okay? And I mean listen ,” Monroe said, locking eyes with her. Daisy swallowed her wine and nodded. “For the first time in a long time you’ve found someone who sees you for who you are. And it’s in every text you’ve sent me over the past few months and written all over your face right now. Besides, he moved to your town with his kid and that feels more permanent than anything else in the world. I don’t have to look at him to know that he’s crazy about you, because that’s exactly how Wyatt looks at me. You, him…this thing, it’s not temporary. You are not temporary.”
Blinking back the tears, she nodded and glanced over to see Rafferty watching her. His smile faltered and forehead crinkled when he saw her expression. The minute he took a step forward, she shook her head, mouthed I’m okay and smiled. Not a fake one to appease him, a real one because she loved how he could read her so clearly.
“Shit, Daze, that man might be in love with you.”
Turning back to her best friend, Daisy said, “I’ve been in love with him since I was thirteen, so that tracks.”
“And the tongue fucking is proof that he’s just getting started.”
She couldn’t stop the laugh that bubbled out of her. Leaning in slightly, she dropped her voice and smiled. “I called him daddy afterwards.”
“You kinky bitch,” Roe teased, clinking their glasses together. “I approve. And…uh, speaking of…Wyatt and I have been making some pretty big decisions. Like life changing ones.”
Daisy’s heart dropped when she made the connection, but she arched an eyebrow and said, “As long as you’re not leaving me, I support whatever they are.”
“Leaving you? Honey, I’d leave my husband before I left you.”
“I can hear you!” Wyatt called out, making everyone laugh.
Focusing on her best friend, she offered her a small smile and nodded. As much as it would sting, she would be happy for Monroe.
“We’re thinking about trying for a baby.”
She hesitated for a split second before she was setting her glass down and launching herself at Monroe. None of her shortcomings were part of this conversation, it was all about her best friend and the possibility of being the best aunt ever. Later, she would wallow about how unfair the universe was to do that to her. Now, and forever, she would be so happy for Monroe. It was such a blessing to be able to have a kid and a privilege to have that chance, she wouldn’t take it away from her.
“I’m so excited for you,” she said, pulling back and smiling at her teary best friend. “You and Wyatt are going to be the best parents.”
“I know this is hard for you.”
“No. This is not about me at all. This is about you and the future of your family, Roe.”
Her friend stared at her a moment and smiled, wiping away the tears spilling down her cheeks. “We’re meeting with my OB-GYN next week to discuss what needs to be done. So it’s not official or anything, but Wyatt and I talked about it and we’re ready.”
“You’re about to make your husband a DILF, Roe. Are you ready for what that will mean?”
Monroe groaned dramatically. “He’s already printing T-shirts. I can’t even with him.”
“I’m so happy for you.”
With another sniffle, they were hugging again. Then she hugged and congratulated Wyatt when he came over. Monroe complained about making a mess of her makeup and the Bowers went into their house. Daisy inhaled deeply and sat down, smiling when Rafferty’s hands reached for hers.
“Wyatt told me. You holding up okay?”
She nodded, because she was okay. She was happy for them. She was also sad that it might never happen for her. “It’s hard, you know? But I’m also really excited for them.”
“You’re allowed to be sad too, Hero.”
“In the privacy of my own home. Here, I’m not sad. Roe will make a great mom and I don’t want to step on her joy because of my own struggles.”
“I get it. As your best friend, I think she’d understand,” he said, dragging his thumbs over her cheeks.
She leaned into his touch and closed her eyes for a moment. “Speaking of best friends, is Wyatt yours?”
He chuckled. “He’ll never replace you. Don’t need anyone else when I have you.”
“Silly man. You always need more friends.”
He kissed her. “Then yes, I guess he’s my friend. He’s really interesting and pretty hilarious. But I don’t need another best friend.”
“Good answer,” she mumbled and kissed him again, dragging her short nails through his beard.
The screen door opened and the Bowers stepped out. She put her worries and sadness aside, aware that she could deal with them in her next therapy session and grinned at her best friend. Monroe and Wyatt were not only going to make a beautiful kid, they were also going to be such incredible parents.
“Are we ready to eat?” Wyatt asked, the widest grin on his face.
At everyone’s nods, he returned to the grill. Daisy stole a kiss before Rafferty was gone as well, then she got up to help Roe set the table. Lanterns hanging on the pillars and beams of the porch provided some light, but they lit candles. Everything about the Bower home had a rustic vibe that she loved, but could never imagine for herself. Even the table was handcrafted by one of Wyatt’s friends, the texture was rough and uneven. She’d dined at that table with the Bowers before, she’d gotten stupid drunk with Roe on that patio too and that evening was another fantastic memory she’d recall for years to come.
The men brought the food over and they took their seats, refilling drinks and pouring out water. There was everything you needed to make your own burger or hot dog, there were also random cuts of meat that had been grilled to perfection, plus a salad that she’d helped Roe make soon after they got there.
In short, the dinner spread was perfect.
“Wait, she thought rainbows actually ended in pots of gold?” Wyatt asked through his laughter.
“You know what, Bower, I don’t think I like you anymore,” Daisy shot back, attempting to frown, but struggling to keep it straight.
They’d been swapping stories about their lives and childhoods all through dinner. Even though she knew so much about Monroe and Wyatt, she sat back and let them repeat it for Rafferty’s sake. Because he didn’t want to be left out, he started sharing stories about her and their time in New York. While she knew that he was telling them the stories lovingly and with a hint of nostalgia, to people who didn’t know their history it would sound silly.
Like the fact that the first time she followed a rainbow and didn’t find a pot of gold, she was so upset, she refused to speak to him for the rest of the day. Of course he embellished the story to suit his needs that evening, but she loved watching him tell it. It had been so long since she’d seen the way his eyes lit up like that. And the fact that he and Wyatt already had a shorthand was absolutely killing her.
“Maybe I should tell them about the time you kidnapped Mr. Delgado’s cat, hotshot,” she said, toying with the ends of his hair.
Rafferty coughed loudly and stopped laughing, eyes wide and pleading with her. It wasn’t even that bad a story, but it would seem that way out of context.
“Yes, we need to know about the catnapper!” Roe howled.
“Come on, darlin’, we don’t need to tell them everything .”
“Shut the fuck up, that’s what he calls you?” Roe said as her laughter petered out. “Rafferty, my man, you’re basically a walking wet dream for my friend here. Did you know that?”
Daisy narrowed her eyes. “ Monroe Gardenia Bower .”
“Oh honey, she full-named you,” Wyatt whispered, eyes wide.
Rafferty glanced at her, eyebrow arched. “Wanna fill me in?”
She shook her head, but Roe wasn’t done. “We met at a singles event and most of the guys kept calling us ‘baby’ and ‘gorgeous’ and other silly terms. There was this guy that called her ‘sweetheart’ and she liked it. But then, someone called her darling and she just about died. Maybe even came a little on the spot.”
Daisy blushed, but continued to glare at her best friend. She could feel Rafferty’s eyes on her, but refused to look at him. “You’re a dead woman.”
“I’ll haunt you from the afterlife.”
“Hero,” he whispered and she heard her friend suck in a sharp breath. This time, she did turn to the man beside her. “Wanna tell them about the catnapping?”
He kissed the top of her head and she looped her hand around his arm as she settled in to tell the Bowers the story. How after months of visiting Mr. Delgado’s bodega every day and being harassed by the cat, Rafferty sent her in to distract the old man while he grabbed the cat and ran eight blocks while being scratched up. Wyatt and Roe stared at them in shock for most of the story, until she told them that Mr. Delgado called the police and gave them Rafferty’s description so they could find him and bring the cat back.
“So I come back hours later with his grandparents and there he was, sitting on the bench outside the bodega with cuffs on, and being stared down by two amused police officers,” she said, ending her story.
“In my defense, that cat was asking for it.”
“Dude, it was a cat . That’s their entire personality,” Wyatt countered with a snort.
“It was a fucking demon cat, man. It would rub up against Daisy and claw at me. Tore a lot of my clothes too.”
“You know, I thought you were a good guy and worthy of my best friend. But I dunno,” Roe added, tilting her head as she pressed her lips together to fight her smile.
“Anyway, Mr. Delgado didn’t press charges. He banned us from the bodega for life and Mr. Ames grounded him for three months,” she said, grinning up at him.
Rafferty shrugged. “Worth it for the way it made you laugh.”
“Ugh, stop it. That’s disgustingly cute and I can’t handle it.”
Daisy laughed, but didn’t stop snuggling into Rafferty’s side. His lips stayed against her head as Wyatt regaled them with another story about him and his brother that made the catnapping sound tame. Monroe contributed a story as well before Rafferty told them about the time the two of them got lost in Central Park for hours. By then, the sun was slowly making its way down and the temperature had dropped slightly.
“How about I whip up some coffee and we go for a walk?” Wyatt suggested. “Digest all of this before we dig into Roe’s signature dessert.”
“Sounds good. Let me help,” Rafferty said, halfway up.
Roe was on her feet, waving him back down. “You two be cute as fuck, I’m going to fool around with my husband for a minute.”
They gathered everything and took it back into the house and Daisy knew better than to offer to help. Instead she tugged Rafferty out of his chair and away from the patio. She tilted her head back and smiled when a few stars started to appear. He wrapped his arms around her and sighed at the sight.
“The stars have nothing on you,” he said softly.
“You’ve really turned up the charm today, haven’t you?”
He chuckled and kissed along her bare shoulder and up her neck. “It’s easy to be charming when the object of my affection is sheer perfection.”
She swooned at his words. It wasn’t even a line. He was being genuine and it was in the definite way he said it. Turning slightly to look at him, she smiled.
“You’re perfect.”
“Takes one to know one,” he replied. She laughed and shivered when a cool breeze wrapped around them. “Be right back,” he added and took his warmth away as he hurried back to the patio.
She kept her eyes on the sky, smiling as the colors changed and the sun sank lower. She felt him return, along with something sliding over her shoulders. Snuggling into the warm coat, she inhaled his delicious scent.
His arms came around her again and she settled back against him. “I love that we can stare at the stars together again.”
“Me too, sweetheart.”
“I’m so glad you’re here.”
“Thank you for inviting me tonight.”
She shook her head. “That too, but I meant in Wildes. Here with me .”
She felt his lips curve into a smile against her skin. “Never been more grateful to move to a small town that doesn’t appear on a map.”
A laugh burst out of her and she closed her eyes. They were exactly where they were meant to be and she knew better than anyone that fate didn’t give you a second chance unless she was absolutely sure you were going to make the most of it. And she was going to make this count for the rest of her life.