Page 32 of The Rogue and His Flower

“So thisisabout last night?” she counters, huffing again.

“It has shit all to do with that. I’m just making a point.” Again, another lie, because it is, partly.

“Whatever you say,” she grumbles.

“I didn’t like how they treated you, and I’m sorry I treated you poorly too. I’m sorry. Okay?”

Yep, still an arsehole.

“You know what, forget about it. I’ll go back to workchecking people in, and manning the reception area,” she says with more than a little sarcasm, “And you can go back to…” Her voice trails off as she waves her hand at my computer screen. “Whatever it is you’re doing.”

Pushing up from her seat she strides to the door, and as her hand wraps around the door handle, I say, “Daisy, wait.”

“What, Dalton?” she snaps, her voice dripping with venom. “Are you going to tell me how you promised Drix that you’ll take care of me like you did last night like a fucking creeper when you came into my bedroom? Because I can tell you that you’re doing a terrible job at it.”

My face drains of colour as I struggle to find the words to defend myself. “You were awake last night?”

“Yes, and I can also tell you that youarefucking up your attempts to take care of me. For a brief moment back there I thought you’d turned over a new leaf until you messed it all up,” she adds with a bitter laugh. “How could I ever think that you of all people could change? You’ve spent your whole life treating people just like that couple treated me.”

“Why didn’t you say something?”

“I just did?!” she shouts in frustration.

“I’m talking about being awake last night, Daisy.”

“Probably for the same reason you’re not telling me everything now,” she retorts, her voice laced with bitterness.

“And why’s that?” I ask, feeling a knot form in my stomach. A knot that has no business twisting up my guts.

“Because I think we can both agree that we can’t trust each other with anything, let alone thetruth,” she spits out, before yanking open the door and storming out.

CHAPTER NINE

DAISY

“It’s good to see you, Daisy,” Daphne, the owner of The Rock Cafe, says as she plops down in the seat opposite me, fanning herself.

“Are you okay, you look a little flushed?” I ask, taking a sip of my Earl Gray tea as I look across at my friend.

“It’s been a very busy day, that’s all. Luckily for this old woman, the lunch time rush is well and truly over,” she replies, the lines around her eyes deepening as she smiles.

“You really need to get some help. You work too hard,” I reply, reaching over and patting her hand as I glance over at the couple seated at the back of the café. Fortunately for me they’ve already been served and are deep in conversation, which is a good thing because I could really use some of Daphne’s advice right now.

She waves away my concern. “I haven’t got any children of my own to fuss over, so I like keeping busy. How are you anyway? Settling in with Dalton, okay?”

“So you’ve heard?” I ask, knowing that Drix must’ve told her about my new arrangement given he loves Daphne as much as I do. As an old friend of Hubert’s, she’s been a constant in our lives, and ever since he passed away we’ve both spent a lot oftime in her cafe, not just because she makes delicious food and neither of us can cook all that well, but because she’s such a kind woman.

“Drix might’ve mentioned something,” she replies.

“How much has he mentioned exactly?” I ask, lowering my voice.

“That you’re engaged to be married, and that you’ve moved into the Gunn mansion.”

“And…” I press, knowing she’s aware of more.

“I know it all, Daisy, and I have to tell you, whilst I understand your decision to marry Dalton, I think you’re making a mistake.”

“Believe me that thought has crossed my mind on several occasions,” I reply, blowing out a breath. She opens her mouth to speak, but I already know what she’s going to say, so I cut her off with a shake of my head. “But I’m not changing my mind. I’m doing this for Drix and Lia. Besides, there really is no going back now.”

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