Page 135 of Love to Hate You

I glance up as my voice drops. “You have to believe that I never meant for any of this to happen.”

“I don’t understand.” She searches my eyes. “What do you mean?”

“It was never my intention to get involved with Daisy.”

“Why not?” Her brows draw together, and she frowns. “Daisy is a wonderful girl. She’s like a daughter to me.”

“I know,” I whisper. “I’m sorry that I allowed my feelings to get the best of me. I should have kept them in check.”

As Marnie shakes her head, her blond ponytail swings back and forth. “Carter, you’re not making any sense. What do you have to be sorry about?”

I don’t know why I’m having such a difficult time articulating my feelings. Frustrated with myself, I blurt, “We both know that Daisy deserves better than me. You trusted me not to look sideways at her and I broke that trust.” I drag a hand over my face. “It was a mistake to think I would be good for her. I’m not.”

She straightens and slaps a hand on my thigh. I wince in surprise.

“Carter Prescott!” she growls. “What the hell kind of nonsense is pouring out of your mouth?”

My eyes widen at her sharp tone. Sure, I was expecting anger. Just not about this. I expected her to agree with the sentiment.

“I—what?” I ask with a frown.

Her expression turns thunderous as she grabs the sides of my face with her fingers and squeezes until it’s just shy of painful.

All right…it’s painful. If she’s trying to get my attention, the woman has it.

“You need to listen carefully to what I’m about to say,” she bites out. “Do you understand me?”

Her brows rise as she waits for me to answer in the affirmative, which I do by giving a tight nod.

“Good.” She drags my face closer which makes my jaw ache. “I love you, Carter. I love you as much as if you were my own. The first time my son brought you home, I knew there was something special about you and I was right. You may not be a Walker by name, but you are in all the ways that matter. You’re part of this family and that will never change.” She pauses. “No matter what.”

Moisture fills my eyes.

But it’s not tears…it’s allergies.

“I think we can both agree that you were dealt a crap hand when it comes to your father. And it would have been easy for you to learn from his example and turn out to be exactly like him, but that’s not what you’ve done. You are a hundred times the man Philip Prescott will ever be.” Her fingers bite into my cheeks. “I’ve watched you mature over the years and I’m proud of the man you’ve grown into. I trust you with my son.” She pauses. “And more than that, I trust you with my niece. We’re lucky to count you as one of our own.” Her expression softens. “And just so you know, nothing thrilled me more than finding out that you and Daisy had finally gotten together.” She smiles. “Do you have any idea how long I’ve waited for the two of you to stop dancing around one another?”

I’d shake my head, but she still has a firm grip on my face. “But—”

“You are not your father.” The way she cuts to the heart of the matter knocks me off balance. “How could you think otherwise? You are the sweetest, kindest, most thoughtful man. Why wouldn’t I want my niece with someone like that?”

My shoulders slump because there’s no arguing with this woman. And I’m smart enough to realize it. But still, everything she’s saying, it’s difficult to accept. Not when I’ve spent years telling myself the complete opposite.

“Daisy deserves to be loved the way you love her,” she adds.

My eyes widen. “Who said anything about love?” Even as I bluff my way through the question, heat fills my face.

Clearly not fooled, she rolls her eyes and asks point blank, “Am I wrong?”

I huff out a breath as I hem and haw. Shoulders slumping, I give up the ruse and grumble, “No, you’re not wrong.” Even though I’m embarrassed, I force myself to meet her gaze. “Although we both know Daisy deserves better.”

I don’t tack on than me, but we both hear the unspoken words.

She yanks me closer and grounds out, “You are not him, Carter. You could never be anything like him.”

“You don’t know—”

“Actually, I do,” she cuts in swiftly, stealing the wind from my sails. “Do you know how?” She doesn’t wait for a response. “Because I know you. I’ve watched you for years. You’re not capable of that kind of physical violence. You’re just not. You need to get this out of your head right now.”

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