Page 60 of The Main Event

She and Levi were full of jokes as they messed with one another. Levi’s shifts alternated between day and night—apparently, the money was better at night, but he didn’t enjoy living like a vampire—so sometimes they left together, chattering away about where they were going that night to meet with their friends. Sometimes Daisy left alone. She almost always seemed somehow sad on those nights, and I found myself wishing I could invite her out for dinner to bolster that smile I’d become so fond of.

Whenever that notion sprang into my head, though, I reminded myself that it was a bad idea. We didn’t have a lotin common—almost nothing really—and even if we did, I still didn’t know what I wanted. The idea of a fling appealed to me because I was convinced if I could spend some time with her that I would get whateverthiswas, this feeling of incompleteness, out of my system.

Daisy didn’t seem like a fling sort of girl, though.

“I was thinking that we should have another dinner meeting,” a chirpy voice announced at my left as I stood at the front desk and looked over the reservation ledger. “You know, maybe we should turn it into a weekly thing.”

When I looked in that direction, I found Tammy smiling at me. Unlike with Daisy, however, that smile did nothing but cause cringey feelings to coalesce in my gut. It was like having a ball of creepy-crawly larvae trying to transform into butterflies and burst forth. Not pretty butterflies either, which was all I saw when I looked at Daisy. No, the butterflies inside of me whenever Tammy was around were those death ones with the skulls on them.

“I’m sorry, what did you say?” I asked blankly.

Sheryl was behind the desk, and the way she dipped her head, I knew she was trying not to laugh. It hadn’t taken me long to figure out that the only person in the entire hotel who didn’t have any allies was Tammy. It wasn’t because she was different, or they were trying to bully her either. No, Tammy went out of her way to exert control over the workers and try to make their days miserable. It was no surprise that she didn’t have friends because her attitude was acidic.

“Dinner,” Tammy replied, not missing a beat. “I was thinking about Sea Level. It’s an oyster bar and the food is great.”

“I’m sure it is. I have plans, though.”

“Plans?” Tammy showed her interest by cocking her eyebrow and tilting her head. “With someone I know?”

I didn’t immediately respond. It was none of her business. Instead, I went back to looking at the ledger. The hotel was completely booked for the next five weeks. There was even a waiting list.

“If it’s Daisy, I should warn you that she doesn’t have the best reputation in this town,” Tammy offered out of the blue.

“Excuse me?” I was rankled on multiple levels. A quick look behind the desk told me Sheryl no longer found things entertaining either.

“I’ve heard the whispers,” Tammy said primly. “People are saying that you and Daisy were seen together the night of the big party. I was at church that night, for the record.”

“I have no idea what you’re talking about,” I lied. I’d heard the whispers too. They persisted despite Levi and Daisy laying off their torturous rumor game. Nobody knew the truth. It was far too mundane for the gossip mill at the Hunter. Sure, if they knew it had been the best kiss of my life, they might’ve started a different sort of rumor. Nothing that was being bandied about was even close to the truth, though, so I’d decided to pretend I hadn’t heard the rumors.

“Daisy comes from a bad family,” Tammy persisted. She dropped her voice to a conspiratorial whisper. “Her mother is a lesbian.”

It took everything I had not to burst out laughing at the serious expression on her face. It was ludicrous. If she hadn’t been so painfully serious, it might’ve been funny. The malice lurking in her eyes gave me pause, though.

“Is that supposed to be bad?” I asked finally. I wasn’t going to allow Tammy to start running her mouth. It would be bad for business. Quite frankly, I didn’t understand how her religious mania hadn’t pushed guests away in a town that made its money off witches and wizards before now.

“Um…yes.” Tammy acted as if I’d asked the most ridiculous question in the world. Is Boston a city or a state? That’s what her expression told me I’d asked.

“I don’t see how it’s any of our business,” I argued. “Unless Daisy’s mother is somehow involved in the day-to-day operations of the Hunter and I’ve somehow missed it, I feel her family makeup has nothing to do with us.”

“Lesbians aren’t natural,” Tammy insisted.

Sheryl piped up out of nowhere. “Actually, homosexuality has been witnessed in nature. That proves it is inherent, not learned.”

“And it’s still none of our business,” I added. “I’ve never met Daisy’s mother. I can’t fathom a situation where I would. From everything I’ve heard, though, her father and mother are still best friends. They’re all one big happy family. Why not just let them be?”

Tammy looked appalled. “You must fight for what’s right.”

“Whatever.” I was in no mood for her. “Just stay out of Daisy’s business. When it affects you, come back and talk to me. Otherwise, mind your own business.”

Sheryl’s look of triumph told me she approved of the statement.

“If that’s what you want, I aim to please.” This time the smile she pointed at me was less cheery. “Where did we land on a dinner meeting again? Sea Level has a very good atmosphere.”

“I’ll have to take your word for it,” I replied. “I’m going out with some friends this evening.”

“Daisy,” Tammy assumed.

“Actually, I’m going out with my friend Jesse.” Why I felt the need to tell her any of this was beyond me. “We’ve known each other since we both lived in Boston, and he wants to get drinks tonight. His brother is going to be there, and I haven’t seen him in almost a year. We’re just catching up.”

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