Page 69 of Bitter Rival

Guilt punches me in the gut.

I chose this room for her because it had the most water damage. But I was only thinking of it from a purely aesthetic standpoint, never stopping to think it posed a health and safety risk.

Now I feel like an asshole. Which seems to be a trend lately. “I’ll move her into a different bedroom.” My gaze lands on her suitcase. Still lying open on the floor. Still unpacked.

Unlike my room, hers looks like a tornado swept through it.

A neat freak, she is not. I can’t even see the upholstery of the chair in the corner with all her clothes strewn across it.

“You should move her into your bedroom,” Caiden says with a smirk. “I’ll vouch for you and tell her there was only one bed available.”

I hold up both middle fingers on my way out and hear him laughing as I slam the bathroom door shut.

After a quick shower, I jog down the stairs and find Daisy in the kitchen talking on the phone, so I busy myself by making a fresh pot of coffee and breakfast while shamelessly eavesdropping on her conversation.

“I love your loyalty,” she says. “You’ll be the star of the show.”

She laughs. “I’ll bet you’ll be decked out in peacock feathers and emeralds.” From the corner of my eye, I can see Daisy smiling while she listens to whoever is on the other end. “Well, whatever you wear, I’m sure you’ll look fabulous.”

I’m buttering toast and scrambling enough eggs to feed an army when I remember that Daisy always eats oranges for breakfast.

“How’s Mesopotamia these days?” She eyes me while I peel an orange.

“Oh, that sounds even more fascinating. I’m looking forward to hearing all about it.”

She listens and nods and her brows shoot up to her hairline when I set the orange pieces in front of her. I ignore it and pour two mugs of coffee, adding a dash of milk to each, then plate the eggs and toast and grab utensils from the drawer.

“Yes. Everyone is just so thrilled to have me here.”

The sarcasm in her tone is thick and I’m guessing that jab was aimed at me.

“Bye, Anna. I miss you, too. I can’t wait to sip oolong tea and walk through the park with you.”

She cuts the call and sets her phone next to her with the screen facing down. “That was my neighbor. She’s eighty-two and she has a more active social life than I do,” Daisy says with a smile and looks down at the plate I set in front of her. “What’s all this?”

“Breakfast.”

“Um yeah, I can see that. But you’ve never made breakfast before. I’m the only one who ever does any cooking around here.”

“If you don’t want it…” I reach for the plate and start pulling it away, but she holds her fork in her left hand and makes stabbing motions. I release the plate because I wouldn’t put it past her to gouge me with the tines.

“Don’t touch my food. I want it. I’m just surprised you know how to use the stove. What other hidden talents do you have?”

I give her a wicked grin. “I have plenty of hidden talents.”

“Ugh, not that again. We’re not talking about your dick today. I’ve been beaten down enough for one morning.”

I leave that one alone. It sounds as if she’s had a lot of bad penis-related incidents.

I douse my cheesy scrambled eggs with hot sauce and fork a bite into my mouth. “So you picked a fight with the wall and the floor and they both won, huh? Pick on someone your own size next time.”

She laughs then groans. “God. I feel like such an idiot. I swear, this could only happen to me.” Her gaze moves to the window.

The rain has tapered off to a drizzle, but the sky is still gray and cloudy, and a layer of fog hangs over the mountains.

Daisy lets out a heavy sigh, her shoulders slumping. “I’m supposed to be helping Callie clean out tanks today. And I promised Neil I would help with the bottling.”

“As your boss, I’m giving you the day off.” She rolls her eyes. “I’m sure they can get by without you.”

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