Page 97 of Bitter Rival

I give him a big smile. “I’m so happy for you. It’s the best feeling when you find your passion.”

“Yeah. I’ve loved every minute of it. I was going to ask Beckett if he would consider hiring me full time.”

No point in mentioning that Beckett will be selling this place and be gone in a month. I’m still hoping to convince him to keep it. Not because it’s what Robert wanted, but for Beckett’s sake.

“He’d be a fool not to. You’re pretty much the model employee. You work hard, and you always go above and beyond.”

“Maybe you can put in a good word for me.”

“I’d be happy to. But I’m not sure how much it would help. I don’t think he’s ever listened to my opinion on anything. The man is so contrary that he does the opposite of everything I say just to annoy me.”

Hunter chuckles. “Yeah, okay.” He laughs again and shakes his head like he’s in on a good joke I’m not privy to. Next to me, Callie is laughing too.

I look from one to the other. “What’s so funny?”

“Everything he does is for you,” Hunter says.

Callie nods. “Yep. It’s Daisy this and Daisy that.”

I snort. “You guys are delusional.”

“Did you enjoy all those blackberries he picked for you?” Hunter says. “There wasn’t a single berry left on the bushes when he was done.”

“Good try but I already know that you picked those blackberries.”

“Nope. I delivered them. He picked them.”

I’m stunned into silence. It was right after I sprained my wrist. That was weeks ago.

“And how about that rush order he put in for the cabernet sauvignon labels,” Callie says. “I was there when you told him you didn’t like the new ones. And sure enough, just a few days later, he told us we had to change them.”

Once again, I’m too shocked to speak.

Even though those were little things, I can’t help but attach a bigger meaning to Beckett’s small acts of kindness. The cinnamon rolls, the night he covered me with a blanket when I fell asleep on the outdoor sofa, the blackberries, the morning he made breakfast and peeled oranges for me.

Despite not wanting to care about me, I think there was always a small part of him that did, but he just never wanted to admit it.

It’s probably a mistake to allow myself to believe that what we have is more than just sex, but I can’t help but think it is.

“The only reason I’m sitting next to you at lunch is because he’s not here today,” Hunter says.

Ugh. I could live without his control freak tendencies. “That’s ridiculous. We should be allowed to sit wherever we want. What’s his problem, anyway?”

“Isn’t it obvious?” Hunter says. “He’s jealous. Full disclosure. I did have a crush on you in the beginning but I never would have acted on it.”

My jaw drops. “And why not? Do I look like the kind of girl who doesn’t deserve a nice guy?”

Hunter laughs. “No. You deserve the world, Daisy. But I knew something was going on with you and Beckett right from the very first day.”

“Trust me. Nothing was going on.” I can say that with absolute conviction because it’s true.

“And now?” Callie asks, giving me a coy smile.

“We’re just two frenemies sharing a house.” And having sex with no strings attached. I take a fortifying drink of water to cool my flushed cheeks and steer the conversation into safer territory. “So, how are things going with you and Ian?”

“Good.” Callie nods. “We’re taking it slow though. I need to earn back his trust, you know?” I nod. “I need to prove to him that he’s the only one for me and that I’m not that same stupid girl I was at eighteen.”

Judging by the way Ian looked at her the night we all had dinner together, I’d be willing to bet that all is forgiven and that he’s still madly in love with Callie. “So he’s the love of your life?”

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