Page 41 of Pushing Daisy
Daisy’s eyes nearly pop out of her head. Sloan is… Sloan. She doesn’t need to prove anything to anyone. She can and does have everything that she could ever need or want. “But…”
“I’m Sloan Wilks? Yeah, that’s the problem. I’m tired of only being known as a Wilks. That’s why I’ve been fighting, literally, with you to get this going and to be a more active part of it. I need this for me, to be a part of something good.”
“I didn’t know. I thought you were trying to get extra points with the council or something.”
“I mean, if you had only listened to me and let me in, you would have realized quite quickly,” Sloan says, allowing a tiny smirk to appear on her gorgeous mouth.
“I’m sorry, too. I have been a bit of a wicked witch.”
“Only a bit,” Sloan replies, winking to reassure Daisy that she’s only teasing. “Do you think we could call a truce and actually try to, you know, work as a team? It would be nice if we could both come out successful.”
Daisy’s brain nearly short-circuits. She wants to say yes. It would be so much easier. And Sloan does have great connections to help bring her big plans to fruition. But she’s asking Daisy to trust her. To rely on her. That’s a huge step, especially given that she caused Daisy to set the bed on fire less than an hour ago.
She looks at Sloan, her warm, caring eyes watching her. Waiting. Hopeful.
Daisy releases a shaky breath. “Yes.”
Sloan’s face breaks into the biggest and purest smile. She pushes herself forward, flinging her arms around Daisy in a celebratory hug. “You won’t regret this. I promise.”
“Gret’off me,” Daisy grumbles, pushing Sloan away. Sloan slumps back, and her smile is so big and so bright she could power a witch light. “I’m gonna get ready for bed.”
Sloan nods in what Daisy assumes is agreement, and as she walks away, Daisy swears she sees her wipe away a tear.
Please don’t make me regret this.
CHAPTER 23
Sloan
She’s giving me a chance. She opened up to me. She doesn’t think I’m a complete monster.
Sloan’s head spins the entire time Daisy is in the bathroom getting changed and continues to do so when it’s her turn. She’s going to give her a chance. Sloan will be able to prove she can be more than just a Wilks. That she has abilities beyond her name.
The thrill of anticipation surges through her, electrifying her senses. The room seems to burst with vibrant colors, her skin tingles with heightened sensitivity, and the lingering scent of pastries and baked goods from earlier fills her nostrils as if they were freshly baked.
She ties her hair up into a messy bun and steps out of the bathroom, her heart almost skipping a beat. It’s a sensation she’s not familiar with. She can’t even recall the last time she felt this exhilarated.
Daisy lays on the bed, the magically repaired duvet spread across her, covering her from armpit to toes. Her hands lay on her stomach, and she’s picking at the skin on the side of her thumb. Is she nervous?
Sloan moves to the other side of the bed, clasping the pillow in her hand. As she prepares to move away to sleep on the couch again, Daisy nearly whispers, “You… youcansleeponthebedifyouwant.”
“Hmm?” Sloan responds, having no idea what any of those words were.
Daisy clears her throat and repeats more slowly, “You can sleep on the bed if you want.”
Sloan fights the shriek that wants to escape her lips. This is huge. She has to play it cool. “Are you sure?” she says as calmly as she can manage.
“Yeah. I assume you aren’t going to hex me in my sleep at this point.”
“Only if you’re into that sort of thing,” Sloan says. Oh god! Is she flirting with Daisy? She is.
“Wouldn’t you like to know,” Daisy deadpans. Holy shit! Is she flirting back?
Sloan chuckles as she pulls back the cover and slides in. She scoots down, finding the perfect position and allows herself to sink fully into the plush bed. “This is glorious. No wonder you wanted it to yourself.”
“It is pretty comfortable.”
Sloan sighs. Content. Spent. Relaxed.
