Page 48 of The Painter and His Poet

I’d assumed that they know each other well, considering her relationship with Drix, and Dalton’s friendship with him, but her responding scowl when he’d pointed her out threw me a little.

“You’re Harlow, right?” Daisy asks, stepping towards me as I reach for a paper towel and dry my hands.

“I am,” I confirm, dropping the paper towel into the trash tucked beneath the vanity unit, before giving her a soft smile. “And you’re Daisy?”

“That’s right, how did you know?” she asks me, cocking her head to the side as she gives me a curious look, her pretty hair falling around her face in soft waves.

“I was talking to Dalton earlier–”

Her expression immediately changes from warm and welcoming to downright disgust as she wrinkles her nose. “Don’t tell me, he tried to hit on you? That man has literally zeroboundaries when it comes to pursuing women. I’m sorry you had to deal with that.”

“No, he didn’t hit on me at all. He was actually super friendly.”

“Ibethe was, Dalton can lay on the charm when he wants to,” she replies, not at all convinced.

“You don’t like him then?”

Daisy shakes her head. “He’s an arse. An arrogant, egotistical, self-centred one at that. That man thinks with his dick more than his brain. I think he’s slept with most of the single women in Princetown and quite a few of the married ones as well.”

“I see,” I laugh, unable to help myself. She’s kind of fiery, and I like that.

“He’s also my brother’s best friend, and has been the bane of my life. Drix has terrible taste in friends.”

“You don’t like Ben or Sterling either?”

“Excluding them, of course. They’re good guys, but Dalton? Urgh, I honestly don’t know what Drix sees in him.”

“I can’t help you there, I’m afraid, I really don’t know anyone very well at all. This is the first time I’ve met them,” I explain, and even though it’s only a little white lie, I still feel guilty for lying, given Sterling and I are already acquainted.

“What, this is the first time you’ve met Sterling?” she asks, mouth agape.

“My mother and I only arrived a couple of days ago, and well, Robert…” My voice trails off. I’m not sure how to explain why Robert only saw fit to introduce us at his wedding for the first time. Well, at least that’s what he thought he was doing.

“Ah, yeah, that makes sense. Robert and Sterling donotget along,” Daisy says, pulling a face that has me even more curious about their strained relationship. “In all honesty, I’m surprised Sterling agreed to be his Best Man.”

“Can you tell me why? I seem to be a bit out of the loop here.”

“Mostly because Robert is an arsehole–”

“Funny, you’re not the first person to say as much,” I reply.

“That’s because it’s true,” she shrugs, giving me a rueful grin, but her smile drops when she sees my frown. “Sorry, he’s just married your mum. I’m sure they’ll be very happy together.”

I get the distinct impression that she’s telling me what I want to hear. Right now I just want the truth.

“He’s only been welcoming to me,” I insist, not in defence of Robert per se–there’s clearly something I’m missing here–but because I don’t understandwhyhe’s considered such an arsehole by others too. Admittedly, it’s beginning to make me question the man Robert’s portrayed himself to be.

“I’m glad, truly,” she replies, wincing a little.

“So why?” I insist, wanting to get to the bottom of it.

“Why he’s an arsehole or why Robert and Sterling don’t get along?”

“Both, I guess.”

“Well, Robert divorced Sterling’s mum after thirty years of marriage and broke her heart, casting her aside like she meant nothing to him,” she says. “It was devastating for her, and Sterling loves his mother deeply.”

“That would explain some of the animosity between them, but people divorce all the time. Not that I’m saying that it wouldn’t have been hurtful to Sterling and his mother, but it happens. Marriages break down, that’s all I meant,” I add quickly.

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