Chapter 8
Daisy
Itake a couple of deep breaths before stepping into my childhood home. My mom is my best friend, and I share everything with her. She knows about my crush on Manny—that’s it.
So much has happened this week, I didn’t even think to tell her that we’ve moved past the crush stage into a full-on relationship. A smile spreads across my face at the thought: I’m in a relationship with Manny Gutierrez—one of the best men I know.
“Hey, sis. Are you joining us, or are you going to keep grinning in your car like a loser?” my youngest brother, Derek, says, rapping his knuckles on my window with a shit-eating smirk.
I sigh in resignation. It’s going to be a circus—I can feel it in my bones.
Derek is three years younger than me, and it’s the quintessential little brother—always pulling pranks, always making light of everything. He married his high school sweetheart shotgun-style after she announced at their graduation party that she was pregnant.
Some might say the term announced is a stretch. What actually happened was that Holly lost her lunch all over the barbecue in her parents’ backyard.
Still, even though they started young, Derek and Holly have become amazing parents with a rock-solid marriage. Their oldest, Maya, just turned nine—and she barrels into me with the force of ten bulls.
“Auntie Daisy! Happy Thanksgiving!”
I kiss the top of her head, realizing it’s getting harder to do so. “Have you grown an inch or two taller since the last time I saw you?”
She gives me a toothy grin, pride gleaming in her eyes.
“Don’t encourage her,” Holly says, hugging me next. “I swear she’s growing by the minute. Next thing I know she’ll be raiding my closet and wearing my stuff.”
Holly ruffles Maya’s hair, but Maya ducks smoothly out of reach and races into the house, where my parents wait by the door.
“Is everything okay?” my oldest brother, Dustin, asks as he gives me a side hug while we head toward the front steps.
“Yes, of course. Why do you ask?”
He shrugs. “I don’t know. You seem tense.”
I huff in feigned annoyance, though my ex-Marine brother sizes me up with one look—like always.
“It’s nothing bad. I just have some news to share, and I was hoping to arrive before everyone else. But I guess we all had the same idea.”
Before Dustin can turn this into an interrogation, I plaster on the biggest smile I can manage and fall into my dad’s arms.
“Sweetheart,” he murmurs against my hair, and a sliver of calm washes over me. I’ve always been Daddy’s girl. The way he listens without judgment, never diminishing my thoughts, has set the standard for what I look for in a man.
A smile tugs at my lips as the memory of finding coffee brewed and waiting for me this morning flashes in my mind.
“Everyone to the living room—Daisy has some news to share,” Dustin booms, his voice leaving no room for argument.
Dad stiffens in our embrace, and I let out a deep breath. “It’s okay, Dad. I promise it’s nothing bad.”
His eyes lock on mine—sharp as laser beams—silently demanding answers. I give him what I hope is a reassuring smile, press a kiss to his cheek, and head to the living room.
“What’s going on? Is everything okay? Why does Dustin know before we do?” Mom fires off questions in rapid succession as I shoot my brother a glare. He glares right back, which only makes me roll my eyes.
I love my family, but my brothers think just because I’m a woman, I need special treatment—like I’m made of porcelain.
“Mom, everything is fine,” I say, walking toward the couch where she’s seated. Dad joins her, and I perch on the arm beside them.
“I really was hoping to talk to Mom and Dad alone, because this hardly warrants a family summit. But since Mr. Ex-Marine here decided to shout it to the rooftops, I guess I’m just going to say it.”
I scan the room. Every set of eyes is on me, waiting. Heat spreads through my chest, climbing up my neck.
With one last deep breath, I say, “I’m dating Manny.”
Silence. You could hear a pin drop. Everyone stares, either stunned or waiting for more. I hold back, needing some kind of feedback before I add that he's joining us today.
“Who’s Manny? Should we know?” a very confused Derek asks, glancing at his wife. She shrugs, just as lost as he is.
“Oh, Daisy,” Mom starts, worrying her lip. “Do you think this is smart?” Her eyes brim with concern.
“Mom, why wouldn’t it be? He’s a great man.” My voice wavers, and I hate it. Manny deserves to be praised, not defended in a shaky whisper.
“I don’t know, Daisy. Isn’t he a little too old for you?”
The frown that tightens my face is so sharp it might become permanent.
“Old? How old do you think he is, Mom? I’m thirty. A man in his early forties hardly qualifies as old to me.”
Derek snorts, and it’s almost comical the way everyone turns to look at him—like no one else sees the joke in what I just said.
“What?” he asks, hands raised in mock surrender. “I think Daisy has a point. It’s not like she’s a spring chicken.”
I throw a pillow at him, which only makes him laugh harder.
“Anyway,” I say, determined to end this conversation before it spirals. I don’t want my family thinking I’m seeking their approval. “The reason I wanted to bring this up is because I invited him to spend Thanksgiving with us—since his son is in Miami with his mom.”
The moment I mention Tommy, the air thickens. I don’t like it one bit. Manny and Tommy are phenomenal, and I won’t let anyone tell me otherwise.
“Ah, so that’s why Mom is worried,” Dustin says. Mom nods beside him, Dad’s arm tightening protectively around her shoulders.
My eyes sting with unshed tears. “How can you all be so quick to judge without knowing him? Knowing them?”
Just then, the doorbell rings, and my heart somersaults.
“We’re about to figure that out,” Derek declares as Dad rises from the couch and heads for the door.
“Hello. Happy Thanksgiving,” Manny says, his warm voice carrying into the room before I can even get there.
Despite the tension in the air, I smile. Dad’s stoic expression has me holding my breath, but then he shakes Manny’s hand and nods in appreciation as Manny hands him a bottle of scotch.
“Hey,” I greet Manny as I make my way toward him. The way his eyes light up behind those sexy glasses sends butterflies dancing through my belly.
“Let me introduce you,” I say as he presses a kiss to my cheek— so effortlessly classy. “This is my dad, Ron.”
Manny chuckles and shakes his head. “Of course. Where are my manners? Nice to meet you, Mr. Hart. I’m Manny Gutierrez.”
Dad clasps his hand again, firm and steady. “Nice to meet you. Welcome to our home.”
Manny nods, and I pull him toward the living room where everyone is still gathered.
“Manny, this is my mom, Merryl.”
He takes her hand, giving it a gentle shake before pressing a kiss to the back of it. My mom practically swoons, and I’m grateful she’s sitting—otherwise I think she might’ve fainted.
“What a pleasure to meet you, Manny. Daisy was just telling us you two are dating?” Mom asks once she recovers.
I tense beside him, but Manny takes it in stride. “That’s right, ma’am. Daisy and I have known each other for years now, and I’d be lying if I said my feelings toward her were new.”
He looks at me with so much happiness in his gaze that I could kiss him stupid right there. But I know my family needs to hear him out.
And okay—I want to know what’s on his mind too.
“As you probably know, I have a son, Tommy. He’s an amazing kid and my first priority.” Manny’s voice is soft, rich with pride. “I was married for a very long time and never thought my life would go sideways. But as it turns out, it was a three-person relationship—and I was the only one unaware.”
I love how gracefully he phrases that he was cheated on—my classy man.
I glance around the room, reading my family’s faces. No one moves. Even my niece is hanging on his every word.
“This past summer, I finally gained full custody of my son. His mother only has him for a couple of weeks out of the year.” He glances at me before adding, “That’s when Daisy became his nanny—and my biggest torment.”
I gasp in shock as Derek bursts out laughing.
“Don’t look so surprised, bebé,” Manny says, eyes dancing. “It was torture to see you everyday and not telling you how much I liked you. Holding your hand on the way to Tommy’s school. Taking you out on dates I knew would make you happy.”
My jaw practically hits the floor. Is this man for real? Couldn’t he save some of this for when we’re alone? The need to crush my lips against his after that declaration is insurmountable.
Manny’s knowing grin tells me my thoughts are written all over my face. My eyes must be glowing with desire.
I give him a helpless shrug. There’s no denying the effect his words have on me.
He lets out a quiet laugh. “All this to say, I waited until I was in a position where I could offer Daisy the certainty of a future together.”
Manny extends his hand, and I take it without hesitation. It feels like we’re facing this together.
He presses a kiss to my temple, his arm wrapping around my shoulders. I sigh in contentment.
“When I could offer her not only my love,” he finishes, eyes locked on mine, “but my time and devotion too.”
My throat tightens, eyes stinging as his words land. Love. He just said he loves me. In front of my family. My heart feels like it’s cracking open in the best possible way.
“I waited until I was in a position to take her out and ask her to be with me.”
Everything around us disappears as I tilt my face up to kiss Manny. He cups my cheeks gently and leans down, sealing his lips to mine.
The kiss is soft and tender, almost shy. Even though I want to ravage him and properly thank him for that amazing speech, I love that he keeps our public demonstration of love very PG.
After the kiss, I hug Manny and hold on tight.
“I love you, Dais. I wanted to tell you in a more romantic way, but I figured your family would be happy to know I’m so in love with you I can’t keep it to myself.”
“It was perfect. I love you too.”
I press a kiss to his chest and stay glued to him for a few more moments before my family closes in around us.
“You basically answered all my questions before I had the chance to ask them,” Dad says, patting Manny on the back.
Mom pulls me to her and, with a watery smile, says, “I’m so happy for you, darling. Manny seems like a great man.”
The tears that had been threatening to spill down finally make an appearance, and Mom and I laugh at the same time.
“Thank you, Mom. He’s amazing.”
“I feel like I’ve known him for a long time. You were always bringing him up, and now that I get to meet him, he’s just as you described—smart, calm, kind.”
Dustin joins our conversation, and I brace for his usual ribbing, but he surprises me. “I think this guy is good for you. He seems like he knows what he’s doing.”
“Not to mention that the man is utterly in love with Daisy,” Derek adds as our circle widens. “Did you see the way he looked at her? Sure, there was desire, but there was also that steady gaze I’ve seen in Holly when she looks at me.”
Holly slips into the group and gives her husband a playful shove. “Yes, I make googly eyes when I look at you, love.” She plants a quick kiss on his cheek while their daughter makes a dramatized “ugh”.
Everyone laughs. Joy and merriment fill the room.
“Very well,” Dad says, smiling. “Now that two of my three children have found their partners, the only thing we can do today is to give thanks for all the blessings—and for Dustin to find someone who loves him as Derek and Daisy have found theirs.”
Dustin’s jaw tightens as he looks Dad in the eyes. I can see a million things he wants to say, but he swallows them, unwilling to ruin the beautiful moment.
“If you don’t mind me taking over for a moment,” Manny says, turning to Dad, “let’s be grateful not only for the love between the couples here, but also for the love between siblings and parents with their children.”
Mom gets giddy with delight. Dad exhales and pulls Dustin into a hug. Derek lifts his daughter and showers her with kisses.
My Manny has effectively steered us away from family drama.
“You’ll be thoroughly rewarded when we get home,” I whisper in his ear.
My heart skips at the word I chose. I consider backpedaling—I don’t want Manny to think I’m overstepping—but then his lips brush my ear, and he murmurs, “You beat me to it, bebé. I want to make a home with you.”
“You better stop talking like that, or you’re going to make me do very indecent things in my parents’ house,” I warn, digging my nails into his side.
“I can’t wait,” he says, licking my earlobe, and I swear my knees go weak.
I’m delighted that this Thanksgiving is turning out to be my favorite holiday of all time, but I’m desperate to get Manny alone, to show him how thankful I am that he’s mine—and I’m his.