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My eyes meet his, and we stare at each other for a few seconds longer than friends should stare.
When we arrive at my car, Owen leans in and presses a soft, quick kiss to my cheek, and it’s questionable if it was supposed to be on my cheek or on my lips.
One thing that is certain is I want another one.
But he has Graham asleep in the stroller, and judging by the chime on the courthouse clock tower, it’s time to put the baby to bed.
I adore Graham. I would happily spend all day with that kid. But the fact that a tiny speck of me feels the slightest whisper of selfishness, wishing Owen and I had some time alone, feels not at all how a friend should feel.
chapter
six
Owen
Daisy’s text comes through on my silenced phone while I’m putting Graham to bed, so I don’t see it until hours later.
Daisy: How’s your evening?
It’s now 9 p.m., and I wonder if it’s too late to text her back. I feel like a complete idiot for leaving her hanging for two hours.
Me: Hey! It’s good. Uneventful. Wish we could have talked longer.
Daisy: I just wanted to say thanks for dinner and the conversation. And also for saving me from tens of thousands of dollars in plastic surgery.
Me: ??
Daisy: The almost-accident? You saved me from a broken nose.
Me: Oh, that. It was nothing.
Daisy: It was not nothing. It could have gone very badly. Worse, Graham or I could have been crushed by that thing.
Me: Don’t remind me. I get nauseous thinking about anyone close to me getting hurt.
Daisy: You’re a good friend and an awesome dad. And, much better on your feet when you’re not nervous.
I want to tell her she’s much more than that to me. And it wasn’t about catlike reflexes. I want to tell her that I saw red the moment I sensed danger happened to the two most important people in my life. I want to tell Daisy that anyone and anything harming a single hair on her head makes me ready to blow a gasket.
Me: You’re a sweetheart.
Daisy: I should let you get ready for bed.
Me: I’m not getting ready for bed yet.
This is a complete lie, of course. I have to spend about an hour in the garden tomorrow before my mom comes to babysit Graham so I can fit in a shift at the store.
Daisy: Oh. Well, you must have to get Graham ready for bed then.
Me: He’s already snoozing away.
Daisy: Look at you. You’re a lot more together than you think you are.
Me: You wouldn’t say that if you saw what I was watching.
Daisy: Ooh, I’m intrigued. What is it?
Me: You’ll judge me.
