Page 114 of Guys Can't Write Romance
“It’s not what it looks like,” Chad whispered back, trying not to disturb Daisy.
“It looks like my roommate is using you as a very attractive body pillow,” Chloe observed, kicking off her boots. “While surrounded by the aftermath of what appears to be a breakup binge. And before I go any further, please tell me you didn’t.”
The implication was clear. If he had taken advantage of her roommate’s emotional state, he would die a slow, painful death.
“We didn’t,” he quickly responded. Daisy stirred again, and he lowered his voice. “She broke up with Ethan and texted me to come over and watch Hallmark movies with her. She fell asleep during a particularly riveting scene involving a Christmas tree farm and an evil developer.”
Chloe flopped into the armchair across from them, her expression softening. “You realize you’re like the anti-rebound guy, right? Most men would be making their move right about now.”
“She just broke up with someone,” Chad pointed out. “She needs a friend, not... whatever it is guys like me usually offer.”
“Guys like you?” Chloe echoed, eyebrow raised.
Chad sighed. “You know what I mean. I’m not exactly known for my emotional depth or relationship longevity.”
“And yet here you are, holding my sleeping roommate like she’s made of glass, watching Hallmark movies instead of making a move, and looking completely terrified by the fact that you actually care about her.”
“What makes you think that?”
“Oh, come on, Chad. You sent her flowers on the anniversary of her father’s death. A day you specifically made note of so you wouldn’t forget. That’s not typical ‘guy like you’ behavior.”
Chad had no response to that. Chloe was right, and they both knew it.
“For what it’s worth,” Chloe continued after a moment, “I think you’re good for her. You make her laugh. You take her surfing. You remember the important stuff without being reminded. And you look at her like she hung the moon and stars. It’s about damn time Daisy was with someone who looks at her like that.”
Before Chad could come up with a response, Daisy shifted in her sleep, nestling her face more firmly against his neck. The simple, trusting gesture made something in his chest constrict.
“I have no idea what I’m doing,” he admitted quietly. “This isn’t my scene.”
Chloe stood, gathering her bag to head to her bedroom. “Nobody ever does,” she said with unexpected wisdom. “That’s kind of the point. But if it helps, I’ve seen Daisy with Ethan, and I’ve seen her with you. There’s no comparison.”
She paused at the hallway entrance, turning back with a mischievous grin. “Just do me a favor and don’t break her heart, okay? I know where you live, and Rhino doesn’t seem like the type who could successfully hide a body.”
With that parting shot, she disappeared into her room, leaving Chad alone with a sleeping Daisy and a muted Hallmark movie, where everyone was predictably getting their happy ending.
Real life, unfortunately, was rarely so simple. Especially for a self-proclaimed man-child who was just now realizing he might be in way over his head.
Chad carefully adjusted the blanket around Daisy’s shoulders, allowing himself one moment of weakness to gently brush a strand of hair from her face.
“What am I going to do with you, Fields?” he whispered.
Chapter thirty
Morning Interrogations
It was 6 AM by the time Chad arrived back at his apartment, his muscles stiff from holding the same position all night. He’d finally managed to slide a pillow under Daisy’s head without waking her, although extracting himself from the blanket around them felt like diffusing a bomb. Before leaving, he left a note on the coffee table.
‘Had to go before my first class. Didn’t want to wake you. Text me if you need anything. Or if you want to watch another terrible movie. -Chad.’
He eased into his apartment, hoping to avoid waking Rhino and the barrage of questions that would inevitably follow, but no such luck.
“Six AM, bro?” Rhino said from the counter, where he was devouring a plate of eggs.
“It’s not what you think,” Chad groaned, heading into the living room and plopping down on the couch.
“So, this isn’t you doing your walk of shame?”
“There’s no shame in helping a friend. Daisy broke up with Ethan last night and wanted someone to hang out with.”
