“I was thinking that too,” Allison agreed.
But there was no hiding from this. There was very little time. Everything was about Kate and AJ.
And Asher and Cami.
Daisy stayed with her parents, but spent most of her time at the Reed house. She simply surrounded herself with Asher. No reason why. She simply did. Kyomi was predictably distant but seemed okay with it.
Daisy ran into Kyomi on the porch of Asher’s house as she was walking out and Kyomi was arriving.
“Hi, Daisy. How are things today?”
Of course, by “things” she referred to how Asher, Kate and the Reeds were handling Kate’s illness, not life in general.
“Same. Asher’s so… I’m not sure what will happen when it finally hits him.”
“Yeah. His numbness isolates and insulates him for now.”
Daisy started to pass her before she flipped back around. “Hey… um… I guess this must be strange for you, given my history here. I just wanted you to know this is strictly about Kate and that’s it. I’m not moving back here or trying to get Asher back or come between you two. We just share family connections and lifelong anchors.”
Kyomi smiled kindly. Why was Kyomi so decent? Her response bolstered Daisy. She was glad Asher picked such a down-to-earth, decent and admirable person. Kyomi understood the “big picture” and she put Asher’s needs first instead of worrying about her own ego and insecurities. Kyomi was a cheerful, independent, confident, fun, congenial woman in total control of herself and the environment around her.
“I know that. But I also know your connection comes from love. Of course, he needs you. He enjoys me. We were honest and clear about what we are. Don’t sweat it, Daisy. I’m glad you came home for him.”
“And for my sisters and parents and aunts and uncles… Really, there is a complicated family connection.”
“There is also your connection. It’s okay. He told me the first time I ever came here.”
Told her what? Daisy almost screamed. She desperately wanted to know what Asher might say about her—and them. But no. That wasn’t okay. She was here for Asher and herself. Not the future. She was not ready to start rebuilding or rekindling something at this stage in life.
“Nothing is going on with us.”
“I know. He’d break it off with me first.”
“Yes. He would.” Daisy released a breath, glad to see Kyomi knew Asher so well. And that Asher was exactly the same with his current girlfriend, who saw him as she did. “But thank you for letting me be here without any drama. I feel like most people wouldn’t.”
She gave Daisy a small, knowing smile that was confident and serene. “I’m not most people.”
Daisy couldn’t help the smile that easily came to her lips. It was impossible not to respond to Kyomi. “I definitely agree with that.”
She gave Daisy a head nod and proceeded into the house. Daisy left feeling strange.
Unsure.
She liked her ex’s new girlfriend. The ex for whom she still had feelings. She respected Kyomi, and she tried not to want Asher. But still did. The connection between Asher and Daisy still existed. So, she felt guilty. But Kyomi seemed to know that and understand. Daisy’s guilt became her own worst punishment. She could have been friends with a girl as kick-ass as that. But no. Never. Not after she slept with Asher. Which could be happening right now.
Good. Fine. Maybe that would ease Asher’s pain.
But oh, damn! The stab in her heart said no, it would hurt Daisy.
Luckily, Daisy would never have to know.
What now? Go home. Rest. Relax her brain so she could prepare for more tears and suffering with the goodbyes to life and hellos to death.
Yeah. Yes. But her heart dipped and ached. The last thing she wanted to do now was leave Reed Ranch.
Damn this ranch. She lifted her gaze and scanned the area. For the first time, she let her anger toward it simmer. If Asher could just live somewhere more civilized, maybe they could work things out. But out here in the sticks like a prairie family? No… a mountain family? Whatever. She could not live like that. Daisy did not want it but Asher did…
Asher. Always the single factor that held her back.
Asher glanced up when Kyomi stepped inside directly after Daisy walked out.
“You had to have an ex who isn’t a bitchy diva, didn’t you?”
“What?”
“Daisy. She’s pretty solid. I like her.”
“Well… good. I did too.”
“You do too. I see why. Oddly, I think we’re more alike than different despite our outward appearances.”
For the second time that day, a small smile touched his mouth. Kyomi often drew that from him. He really did like Kyomi. Immensely so. “Really? Duh. Color me shocked.”
“You always knew that?”
“Yes, probably why I could tolerate both of you for more than a few minutes. I’m very particular about who interrupts my solitude. Rather be alone than annoyed. So…”
“So, it stands to reason she isn’t horrible.”
“I guess.”
“She was worried I’d think something was going on between the two of you that wasn’t.”
“It isn’t.”
She tilted her head. “Asher, you know how sorry I am that your mom is sick. I can’t imagine what you’re going through. I don’t think now is the right time for us. I’m not breaking up because it got too real, or intense, or sad or serious. I can and would deal with all those things. For any friend. I think in my heart and in all honesty, you need Daisy for this. In whatever way you need her, I think you should have her. We are awesome friends, and sex is easy with you. But I am not her and I can’t help you with this.”
“I’m not interested in sad sex with my ex because my mother is dying.”
“No. I get that. But you need Daisy. Ex or not. Doesn’t matter what you choose to call her. You need her. And she needs you.”
“So then… we’re just done?” Tilting his head in confusion, he wondered how to feel about this strange turn of events. Did he care? Did it hurt? Was he mad? Angry? No. None of that. Asher knew she wasn’t trying to avoid dealing with him. She was doing it because she thought he needed Daisy more than her and did not want him to think he was betraying anything.
“Are you sure about this?”
“Yeah. But we’ll stay friends, always. I love this place so I’m still gonna hang out here. A lot. Plus, I love to razz your wimpy-assed cousin, so I gotta keep doing that.” She gave him a fist-bump like a dude. Male or female didn’t matter. She was solid and amazing and she truly proved herself to be a best friend.
Asher smiled as he fist-bumped her back. Then he grabbed her and hugged her. She hugged him and conveyed her genuine caring.
“You can’t disappear from my life. I need your humor. Sometimes you’re the only one to get a smile from me.”
When she released him, she leaned back and smiled as she nodded. “Believe me. I know it. And I’m having dinner with you right now. So no worries, Asher. This frees you up, you can handle all of it without worries.”
He gave her a look as they wandered into his kitchen in tandem and started pulling out the dinner ingredients. “This sudden, friendly, let-me-have-Daisy-free-and-clear vibe isn’t being driven by my admittedly wimpy-assed cousin, Hunter, is it?”