Total pages in book: 103
Estimated words: 99313 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 497(@200wpm)___ 397(@250wpm)___ 331(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 99313 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 497(@200wpm)___ 397(@250wpm)___ 331(@300wpm)
Moisture fills my eyes.
But it’s not tears…it’s allergies.
“I think we can both agree that you were dealt a crap hand when it comes to your father. And it would have been easy for you to learn from his example and turn out to be exactly like him, but that’s not what you’ve done. You are a hundred times the man Philip Prescott will ever be.” Her fingers bite into my cheeks. “I’ve watched you mature over the years and I’m proud of the man you’ve grown into. I trust you with my son.” She pauses. “And more than that, I trust you with my niece. We’re lucky to count you as one of our own.” Her expression softens. “And just so you know, nothing thrilled me more than finding out that you and Daisy had finally gotten together.” She smiles. “Do you have any idea how long I’ve waited for the two of you to stop dancing around one another?”
I’d shake my head, but she still has a firm grip on my face. “But—”
“You are not your father.” The way she cuts to the heart of the matter knocks me off balance. “How could you think otherwise? You are the sweetest, kindest, most thoughtful man. Why wouldn’t I want my niece with someone like that?”
My shoulders slump because there’s no arguing with this woman. And I’m smart enough to realize it. But still, everything she’s saying, it’s difficult to accept. Not when I’ve spent years telling myself the complete opposite.
“Daisy deserves to be loved the way you love her,” she adds.
“Who said anything about love?” Even as I bluff my way through the question, heat fills my face.
Clearly not fooled, she rolls her eyes and asks point blank, “Am I wrong?”
I huff out a breath as I hem and haw. Shoulders slumping, I give up the ruse and grumble, “No.” Even though I’m embarrassed, I force myself to meet her gaze. “Although we both know Daisy deserves better.”
I don’t tack on than me, but we both hear the unspoken words.
She yanks me closer and grounds out, “You are not him, Carter. You could never be anything like him.”
“You don’t know—”
“Actually, I do,” she cuts in swiftly, stealing the wind from my sails. “Do you know how?” She doesn’t wait for a response. “Because I know you. I’ve watched you for years. You’re not capable of that kind of physical violence. You’re just not. You need to get this out of your head right now.”
She releases my cheeks and I massage the ache in my jaw.
“I know what happened at that party,” she says. “Noah filled me in.”
My eyes dart to hers in surprise.
“I’m glad you were there to protect Daisy. Not that she can’t take care of herself,” Marnie adds. “But some guys have a hard time taking no for an answer. And he was obviously one of them.”
Everything within me deflates. “I don’t want to be anything like my dad.”
“Oh, sweetheart.” Unshed tears shimmer in her eyes. “Why can’t you get it through your thick head that you are nothing like him? All you were trying to do was protect Daisy and there’s nothing wrong with that.”
“It doesn’t feel that way.” I glance away. “Do you have any idea how sick I’ve been about this?”
Her lips lift at the corners. “That only proves my point, Carter. You’re a wonderful man and you deserve joy in your life with a woman who makes you happy. I’ve watched you over the years, always keeping people at a distance. I would hate for you to miss out on all the wonderful opportunities life has to offer because you’re too frightened to open yourself up and take a chance.”
I blow out a long breath knowing that she’s right.
About everything.
I’m just not sure what to do about it.
43
DAISY
How does that old saying go?
Getting back on the horse again is never easy?
Well, it’s true.
I glance behind me and smile at…crap, I’m blanking on his name.
I’m pretty sure it starts with the letter—
Adam!
There we go.
We met in line at the coffee house on campus and got to talking. By the time we had our javas in hand, he asked if I was interested in grabbing dinner some time. Before Carter, I wouldn’t have given his invitation a second thought. He’s cute with messy chestnut-colored curls and has a few tattoos.
What’s not to like?
And yet I went back and forth about meeting up with him. Believe it or not, it was Olivia who pushed me into going on this date. And she was right. There’s no reason for me to sit home alone pining for someone who doesn’t want me.
It’s time to move on.
And Adam is the perfect one to do that with.
I think.
He made a few odd comments while we were out, but I brushed them aside. If nothing else, he’s a good rebound guy. Someone I can practice on.