Page 103 of One Life to Loathe

“Is that wrong?”

“No. I like Sam. She’s a good girl. However, you have to be whole and healthy yourself before you can have her.”

I didn’t want to hear that. “Why can’t I just get absolutely everything I want and make everybody else happy at the same time?”

“Because we don’t live in a fairy tale.”

“Maybe we should.”

“Wouldn’t that be fun?”

I BEAT SAM BACK TO THE HOTEL AND ENLISTEDDaisy to help me get her room ready for a romantic evening. I arranged for dinner—stuffed lobster to be eaten in bed—and cocktails to be delivered to the room. I had the massage oil, and Daisy managed to get me a few candles.

“Don’t burn the hotel down,” she admonished as she looked around.

“I’ll try my best,” I replied dryly as I pulled out my phone. I had a text from Sam waiting. “She’ll be here in about ten minutes.”

“And won’t she be surprised?” Daisy teased. “This is really nice, Leo.”

“She was hurt.”

“It’s still really nice.”

I opened my mouth to brush off the compliment, but she slapped her hand over it to silence me. “Just take the compliment for once,” she said. “It’s okay to be the good guy. This thing you’re doing here, it’s what a good guy does. Take the congratulations.”

I sighed beneath her hand and nodded. “Sorry,” I said when she pulled back. “I have a few rough edges.”

“We all do.” Daisy’s gaze was speculative as she looked me up and down. “Have you heard back about your movie yet?”

I shook my head. “No, and I don’t expect to get it at this point. If they wanted me, they would’ve messaged by now. They haven’t, which means someone else got the part.”

“Are you okay with that?”

Surprisingly, I was. “It’s not a do-or-die situation for me. I’m fine.”

“Does that mean you’ll stay on for the second season of the show if it’s a hit?”

A month ago I would’ve laughed at the question…or cried at the thought of having to stay longer than I first anticipated. Now, though, I was perfectly happy with the possibility. “Probably.”

“Convenient how that worked out, huh?”

I shrugged. “It’s not so bad here.”

“So, are you going to stay all winter?”

“I was thinking of taking Sam somewhere warm for winter. We’ll have to be back here in the spring, but if she likes Salem, I figure she’ll love New Orleans.”

“That actually sounds fun.”

“Yeah.” I was lost in thought for a second, then shook my head. “Anyway, you need to go. I appreciate your help, but I can’t imagine that finding your boyfriend with another woman in your hotel room would be considered romantic.”

“Boyfriend, huh?” Daisy’s smile was very cat that ate the canary. “That’s an interesting word choice.”

“Don’t read too much into it,” I admonished. “Also, get out. I want everything perfect for her.”

“Yeah, yeah, yeah.” She headed toward the door. “This really is sweet, Leo."

“I just want her to be happy.”

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