Page 211 of We Can't Be Friends

He outlines the bandage with a finger, then smacks the skin next to it.

“I thought you’d never be anyone’s.”

“Changed my mind. Met someone, and I don’t know. . . don’t mind being his.” I spin, leaning into the dresser. Bite my bottom lip. “Do you like it?”

“Love it, Dais.” He opens the drawer next to me, pulling out a shirt. “Arms up.”

I lift my arms, and Cal tugs the shirt over me. Gently pulling each arm through the sleeves and down over my torso. On the other side, he opens my underwear drawer and pulls out a pair of underwear. Dropping to his knees, he lifts each leg, pulling the underwear up my thighs. Snaking his hands under the shirt, I scrunch it up. He kisses the top of the waistband before standing back up and kissing me.

Downstairs, we catch Tucker with his front paws on the counter. He’s trying to reach the brown takeout bag. Cal pulls it away from him, while I try to reprimand him but Tucker gives me his big brown eyes, and I fail.

We bring our plates to the couch. Cal queues up a new episode ofSurvivor.

I skewer a piece of chicken. “What’s your good news?”

“I spoke with Liam today.” Cal takes a few bites of food, letting the anticipation build. He talks to Liam every day, but if he’s bringing it up this way, then he finallyspoketo Liam. It’s killing me, and I have to set my bowl down before I spill it on myself.

“And. . .” I push my head out, turn it to the side. Myeyes wide.

“He told me he’s been waiting for me to ask about buying in. I guess Liam has been thinking about it for the past year but didn’t want me to feel forced into doing it. Then, when you moved in, he didn’t want there to be an obligation to return to London.”

“You told him you don’t feel that way, right?”

“Getting there.”

“Sorry.” I zip my lips. Just because Cal is more open doesn’t mean he talks more. I still use up both of our word counts for the day.

“He wasn’t surprised when I told him my one caveat. I admitted to him that I didn’t want to move back to London.”—I go to open my mouth but close it quickly. If Cal needed to go to London for this, I’d go.—“I’ll need to go back and forth, but I went ahead and assumed you wouldn’t mind. Maybe tag along for the trips.” I nod fervently. “Liam’s working on putting together the legal documentation, but by the end of the quarter, I’ll be part owner of Hayes Hotels.”

I take his plate from him and set it next to mine. Throwing my arms around him, I tackle him into the couch. Tucker’s head perks up, sniffing at the food before jumping onto the couch, and nuzzling his way in.

“Callum, that’s incredible. I’m proud of you.”

“Thank you for encouraging me.”

“I always will, and I’ll always be your biggest fan.”

“Back atcha, Henry.”

After we finish eating, Cal does the dishes. He joins me back on the couch, laying me across his lap before pressing play on the remote.

My fingers dance along his jaw, stubble tickling the sensitive pads of my thumb. In this light, his irises are pools of the deepest and clearest blue, ones I’d drown in over and over again.

“Why do you call me daisy?” I ask quietly. “I’ve always wondered.”

“I assumed you figured it out by now.” His dimples appear.

I shake my head no.

“The first time I was in your apartment I was shocked by the interior. I finally had this peek into your mind—who you are. That behind all the dark exterior is this soft, strong, and beautiful woman. Your sheets were a field of wildflowers. And they smelled exactly as I imagined.

“I thought you were a wildflower at first. A radiant flower that grows in the wild. Unintentionally planted. Sometimes prickly, sometimes poisonous, but they always make you turn your head.” He laughs, intertwining his hand into mine to kiss my knuckles. “You turned my head the moment I laid eyes on you. You still do, Chloe. Any time you are in the room, my attention has to be on you. I can’t look away, nor do I want to. You are a wildflower, but specifically, a daisy. My daisy.”

“Yours.”

“Mine.” Our lips brush. “Daisies represent innocence, loyal love, and new beginnings. The same as you.” Cal reaches out, tapping my heart, then rests his hand there. “Right here. Your heart pours out love and I see your protectiveness as loyalty.”

“I’m not innocent, though.”

---