Page 19 of Pushing Daisy
She parks near the back of the parking lot, again concerned about startling Daisy and her making a run for it. She waits inside her car until she sees Daisy, with her bright purple hair, tight-fitting jeans that pleasantly hug her derriere, and dark mesh top, enter The Dandelion.
Daisy is stepping up to the counter when Sloan enters. Sloan keeps far enough away not to intrude but close enough that she can still hear the conversation.
“Welcome, Miss Hale, to The Dandelion Inn and Spa. We are so pleased to have you stay with us this weekend,” the receptionist, some kind of faerie based on her pointed ears, says.
“Thank you,” Daisy responds, leaning in to check the name tag on her chest, “Flo.”
Looking at the computer in front of her, the receptionist replies, “It looks like we have another guest marked down to stay with you. Will they be arriving shortly, or will you want to leave a key here at the desk for them?”
“Ah. Unfortunately, my friend who was supposed to join me has had to cancel at the last minute. So it’s only me.”
“Not a problem, Miss Hale.”
Sloan steps forward. “Actually, I will be staying with you this weekend.”
CHAPTER 11
Daisy
“What the fuck are you doing here?” Daisy hisses.
“Well, I heard about this visit from Petra and Lachlan, and it seemed like such a wonderful opportunity for us to see the location for our event together,” Sloan replies, her tone disgustingly pleasant.
Daisy looks her up and down, allowing her eyes to linger on the little hollow spot at the base of her neck before snapping them back up to Sloan’s eyes which hold softness and a pleading expression.
“Petra messaged me this morning, saying she wasn’t going to be able to make it, and suggested I take her place. So, I did. I mean, I am. Hi,” Sloan replies, raising her hand and wiggling her fingers in a dumb wave.
Why is she being so awkward? It’s like Sloan has never had a real conversation before.
“There’s only one room. You can’t stay,” Daisy protests.
“I’m sure we can figure out an arrangement. I can call down to housekeeping and see if there is an additional cot we can bring in,” Flo chimes in.
Daisy’s head swings to the faerie, and Flo subtly flinches when Daisy makes eye contact. “I’m sure that won’t be necessary. Is there another room available that Miss Wilks could be placed in?”
“I’m afraid not. We are completely booked up,” Flo replies timidly.
“Then I’m sure Miss Wilks would be okay with returning home, and I can check in with her next week,” Daisy states, turning to glare at Sloan.
“I’m afraid not,” Sloan replies, mimicking the receptionist with the slightest hint of a smile quirking up at the corner of her plump lips. “I’m sure we can survive a weekend together at a luxurious inn such as The Dandelion. Besides, we’ll be busy seeing and testing out all of the amenities.”
Damn, she’s laying it on thick.
Daisy faces the receptionist again. “Fine. We will take the booked room. Together,” Daisy says, grinding out the last word through a clenched jaw. “Please check to see if a cot is available for Miss Wilks.”
“I will check right now.”
“Wonderful,” Daisy responds dryly.
A moment passes while Sloan moves the side, looking over the gift shop knickknacks on the edge of the reception desk. Daisy watches as she picks up a bottle opener. “Can you add this to our room?” She asks.
“Absolutely,” the receptionist replies.
Sloan smiles back politely and pockets the item. The smile is soft. Gentle, even, and mildly pleasing to look at if someone liked looking at things like that. Not giving even the slightest hint of Sloan’s true wicked witch persona underneath. A faint impression of a dimple appears beside the right side of her upturned lips, then quickly disappears. Sloan’s eyes catch Daisy’s and narrow curiously at her.
Looking away like she’s been caught doing something untoward, Daisy watches the passersby, trying desperately to convince herself she wasn’t watching Sloan with something other than disdain.
“Unfortunately, we are out of cots,” Flo finally says.
