He sensed my reticence. “I can’t stay away from you, Daisy.”
I swallowed hard, my heartbeat racing at the thought that things might work out between us. Maybe we could find a way to be together.
“I’m strong,” I said softly. “You know that.”
“Yes, I know.”
The words had come out wrong, so I tried again. “I know you’re going back to Brazil soon.”
He looked up at the ceiling and groaned. “Let’s talk about something else.”
“You’ll miss our food.”
“What food?”
“When you go back home. You’ll miss our beans on toast.”
“Do not talk to me about English food.”
“What! We have the best food! Bangers and Mash… Toad in the Hole.”
“No, thank you.” He raised his hands in defense. “And don’t get me started on Spotted Dick.”
I giggled. “You really have to taste my spotted dick.”
He chuckled loudly. “And I thought you liked me.”
“Well, I know what you love to eat.” My hand slapped to my mouth. “Oh, my God, I didn’t just say that.”
“Yeah, I think you did.”
“You’re a bad influence.”
“I’m just here for the entertainment.”
“That’s not fair.”
“To be honest, I love getting to know the real you.”
“How do you mean?”
“You’re my version of Daisy.” Max bit his lip. “I see who you are and I’m…”
“You’re what?”
He sat back. “I’m compelled to spend more time with you. Is that something you’d like?”
I smiled at him, taking a moment to replay his words, letting them sink in.
“What do you like to do for a pastime?” he asked.
“I’ve been pretty busy lately,” I confessed. “With work and…”
“And?”
I shrugged. I was boring compared to him. “How about you?”
“I surf.” He let out a sigh of happiness. “Fernando de Noronha is off Brazil’s northeast coast. It’s a national marine park and ecological sanctuary. The beaches are perfect. Feeling the sand between your toes…there’s nothing like it. You get to swim with dolphins and turtles, and you might even see sharks, if you’re lucky.”
“I don’t call seeing a shark lucky.”
“They’re beautiful.”
“It sounds like paradise. I’d love to go.”
“Visitors are restricted, but if you know a local who can grant you access…” He arched a brow. “How about you? What’s your all time favorite place outside of London?”
“I’ve never left England.”
He looked shocked. “That’s ridiculous, Daisy. Are you serious?”
“I just don’t…fly.”
“But…there are so many beautiful countries to see. Would you visit me in Brazil?”
I hesitated, his question hanging in the air between us.
I finally exhaled. “You come to London frequently, right?”
“Daisy, I work six days a week at my law firm. I come back once every few months.”
A cold dread closed around my heart at the thought of not seeing him. I would miss him terribly. I couldn’t see a way round it. “Flying is impossible for me.”
“You’re scared of flying?” He shook his head. “You need to get over that.”
“I’ve come to terms with it.”
“With what? Your inability to fly?”
Dragging my bag onto my lap, I reached in and opened my purse, rummaging around for cash.
“Is it the cost?” he asked.
“No.”
Max waved a hand. “I’ve got this.”
I need fresh air.
“I want to pay.” With a trembling hand, I threw several twenty-pound notes on the table.
Max snatched them up and pushed to his feet. He shoved the money back into my handbag. “This is my treat.”
My chair squeaked as I pushed it back. “I’m sorry. I have to go.”
He looked confused. “Did I say something to offend you?”
I rushed for the door and stepped outside, sucking in cold air, trying to calm my breathing, glancing left and right to get my bearings.
I needed to get home…needed to push that haunting memory away.
Max’s strong arm pulled me back, crushing me against his firm chest.
“Take a breath.”
I gave a nod that I was calmer.
He spun me around to face him and gripped my shoulders. “What just happened in there?”
“I’m never going to see you again after you go back to Brazil. And it’s my fault.”
Max yanked me against his chest in a bear hug. He was too strong for me to pull away from. This was only delaying the agony—parting from him now would hurt so much worse than before.
“I’ve upset you.” He pressed his lips to the top of my head. “You have to tell me why, Daisy.”
“Can you take me home?”
“Of course.” He led me back to his car, glancing at me with concern as he opened the passenger door. “Please talk to me about what’s bothering you.”
I climbed into the front seat. “There’s nothing to talk about.”
We drove across town in silence, the familiar landmarks proving we were heading in the right direction. Embarrassment over my outburst caused my cheeks to burn. This fear was embedded so deep within my soul that I knew nothing could be done about it.
I wanted to reach out to him, but didn’t…and I wanted to apologize for ruining our lunch, but my anxiety continued creeping and crawling throughout my body, causing my muscles to tighten and my throat to constrict, making it hard to breathe normally.
Max pulled the car up to my aunt’s house. When I went to unclip my seatbelt, his hand grabbed my wrist. “Wait.”
“I should go.”
I heard a click and realized he had locked the car’s doors.
He turned to face me. “Consider yourself my prisoner. You’re not going anywhere until you tell me what happened back there.”
“Please, let me go.”
His hand slipped from mine and he leaned back with a sigh. “Trust me, Daisy. Give me that much, please.”
Tears stung my eyes and I felt those familiar feelings of guilt return with a vengeance.
“Talk to me, Daisy.” He reached over and squeezed my hand. “I promise I’ll understand.”
I let out a shaky breath.
Get out of the car.
Forget this.
“We’ve come this far, you and me,” he said quietly. “Despite the odds.”
A tremor ran through me. I’d carried this tragic event around for so long it had come to define me.
“Does it have something to do with your brother, Liam?” he coaxed.
“I can’t…” I shook my head. “I’m ashamed.”
“Why?’
I swallowed the lump in my throat.
“Liam was scheduled for a flight to Bavaria,” I said, my voice trembling. “He was a member of the ski team and he was flying out there for winter training with his teammates. They all met up at our place first. Whoever was meant to be taking them to the airport was running late, and Liam and his friends were panicking because they thought they’d miss their flight.” My throat tightened as I relived the nightmare that had ruined our lives. “I offered to drive them.”