Page 16 of The Rogue and His Flower

“Whatever’s bothering you.”

“Nothing’s bothering me,” I reply, plastering on a smile. I seem to be getting good at doing that lately.

“Daisy, you don’t need to pretend with me. What you’ve done for us…” Lia lets out a sigh, her hand squeezing mine. “We’re so grateful, truly. But it’s a huge sacrifice on your part. I know Drix hates the thought of you being unhappy. I do too.”

“I’ve already told you both that I’m okay with my decision. Dalton and I have both signed the contract. It’s done. Besides, you, Drix and Toby mean so much to me. I want you to be happy. ”

“Wearehappy.”

“And you’ll continue to be now,” I say, placing my other hand over hers.

She sighs, lifting her pretty, pale green eyes to meet mine. “So you’re moving in with Dalton this weekend?”

“I am. Most of the things I want to take with me are packed and ready to be collected.”

“We’ll miss you being around,” she says.

“I won’t be far away, and you can bet your arse I’ll be coming back often for your beautiful home-cooked meals because let's face it, there’s no way Dalton can cook.”

“Doesn’t he have staff to do that for him?”

“Exactly, I bet he can’t even boil an egg.” I giggle at the absurd thought.

“Probably not,” she agrees, with a grin.

“Besides, I’ll need someone to vent to every time Dalton pisses me off, which I suspect will be often.” I laugh, trying to lighten the mood, but my smile drops as I catch the expression on Lia’s face.

“Oh Daisy, I wish things were different,” she says, her voice catching.

“Stop that. Seriously, things are going to be okay. I may not like Dalton all that much, but I do enjoy pissing him off, and I’m going to make sure I do that on a regular basis. Silver linings and all.”

“Oh boy,” she giggles. “Don’t ever change, Daisy. You hear me? You are perfect just the way you are.”

“I have no intention of changing,” I reassure her just as the doorbell rings. “Well, that’s my cab. Are you sure you’re okay being on your own?”

Lia glances at her watch. “Drix and Toby will be home in less than an hour. Go and…” she hesitates, pulling a face, “Enjoyyourself?”

“I’ll do my best,” I retort, giving her a quick hug.

"I tookthe liberty of ordering for you," Dalton remarks as he greets me at the door of the traditional Japanese restaurant.

"Seems like taking liberties is something you’re skilled at," I mutter under my breath, as I follow him to our screened-off dining area. Tonight he’s wearing dark blue jeans, his neck tattoos just peeking up beneath the collar of his black cashmere sweater.

“What was that?" he asks, his eyes narrowing as we both take a seat at the low table, my feet pressing against the recessed floor.

“Nothing. I'm sure whatever you've chosen will be fine," I reply, casting my gaze out of the floor-to-ceiling windows that offer stunning panoramic views of the snow-covered valley below. On any other day, with anyone else besides Dalton, I might have been able to appreciate the beauty of it all.

“Only the best for my fiancé,” he retorts, his gaze drilling into mine as he presses his palms against the table. “So, how was your massage?”

I stiffen, my gaze snapping to his as a rush of shame floods my veins. “It was…fine.”

“Just fine?” he asks, tilting his head with a mocking smirk.

My leg jitters uncontrollably beneath the table and I press my palm against my thigh, forcing it to stop. “I’m not sure what you want me to say.”

“Don’t you haveanythingto add?” he persists.

“It’s still snowing,” I offer.

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