“Loving Oliver isn’t something new to me.” Realising how my words sound I bite my lip, stopping any other escaping immediately.
“And you still do, don’t you?” Drew whispers loudly at me. Thankfully, Oliver’s timing is perfect, coming out from the kitchen to offer a hand with unloading the tables and promptly saving me from having to answer Drew’s question. “This isn’t over.” He hisses at me.
* * *
All hopes of successfully avoiding further conversation with Oliver about his feelings were dashed on Friday afternoon when he was drying the dishes and passing them to me to be put away when he spoke.
“I’m sorry about what I said to you the other night but you should also know, that just because I am apologising doesn’t make the words any less true.” Holding a plate in his grip, I’m forced to meet his eyes before he releases it. “I’m not giving up that you’ll see it as the truth either. I know you still love me too and I bet that scares the shit out of you.”
“Oliver, you can’t insist on how I feel, you have no idea what it was like for me when you left, I know you don’t because otherwise, you would see that it isn’t so easily fixed.”
“Daisy, I’m trying.”
“I know you are.” My words are barely louder than a whisper, his releasing the plate into my hands is the only sign he heard them. “Don’t you think it might be too late? The damage is done and it can’t be repaired?”
“I don’t believe that.”
“You don’t?”
“No, I don’t.” He argued.
“Simple as that, huh?”
“Yes, Sweetheart. As simple as that.”
I felt betrayed by my body, a glitter of hope shimmied away inside of me, I could feel it under my skin as I stood staring at the man in front of me. He wasn’t the same Oliver I used to know.
“What makes you so sure?” I was challenging him and the slight thrill I felt from it warmed my cheeks. Dumping the dishcloth on the bench he takes the two steps toward me that were separated us.
“Because I know you, I know what it tastes like when I kiss you here,” Gently, his fingertips caress the side of my throat, I let out an involuntary whispered moan at his touch. “I know that your eyes sparkle a brighter shade when you’re aroused just like they are now and I know that your breathing is hitched because it’s true and you didn’t know I knew the secret that pools in them. I know why you still have my cologne in your bathroom cabinet.” He captures my chin between his finger and thumb, holding my gaze with his, “I know why you clench your thighs together like you just did and I know I broke your heart, Daisy and I will never forgive myself for that. I know that a creature as incredible and as beautiful as you deserves someone who knows the way they should be treated, someone who knows you. All of you.”
“How do I get past the hurt, Ollie?”
Pulling me into his arms, I let him, as he mumbles into my hair, “I don’t know, Daisy Blossom but I’m willing to work it out with you.”
23
oLIVER
* * *
Daisy pulled away from me when we’re interrupted by someone knocking on the shop door, whoever it is will pay for ruining the moment between Daisy and me; it’s the closest she’s come to letting me in since I got back to town.
Drew’s voice carries through to the kitchen and silently I curse him.
“Please Daisy, I need a wingman or woman. I’m not fussy.”
“Wow, what a lovely compliment, Drew.”
Their voices grow louder as they come make their way back to the kitchen.
“Oh hey, bro. Thought you’d be long gone by now.”
“Nope, still hard at it. What are you doing here?”
“I’ve come to convince Daisy to be my wingman tomorrow night, I have a date and I’m nervous as all fuck. Thought maybe she’d take pity on me and come.”
“I’m not coming to third wheel your date. No way.” Daisy glares at him as she crosses her arms.
“Maybe we could double?” I suggest, they both turn to face me, Daisy’s glare honed in on me while Drew grins.
“Ah no. I don’t think that would be a good idea.” Daisy’s brows draw together as she tilts her head toward me while looking in Drew’s direction.
“Oliver knows I’m gay, Dase.” Drew rests his hip against the counter, crossing his ankles. “So what do you say? Please, Daisy, I will beg you on my knees if that will make any difference at all.”
“Drew, I’m sure Daisy has better things to do on a Saturday night than hanging out with us.”
Drew catches on, his face flashes with realisation. “You’re right, Saturday night in Fosford is when all the crazy shit goes down. I’m sure you and Munchkin already have plans, right Dase.”
“I know what you two are doing. Don’t think I don’t. You’re both arseholes, you know that.”
Drew steps into Daisy, wrapping his arm around her shoulders. “Almost there, Dase, you can do it. Just give in like we know you will.”
“Isn’t it a bit desperate to double date with your brother, Andrew? But fine, whatever.”
I envy their closeness when Drew plants a kiss to the top of Daisy’s head. She’s comfortable around him like she used to be with me. Seeing them had me wondering if we would ever get back to that place.
“Atta girl, Daisy. We’ll even let you be the prettiest one on the date.”
I chuckle as Daisy rolls her eyes at Drew. Drew had come in here and managed to convince Daisy to do in ten minutes what it has taken me weeks and the promise of still eating another 20 cupcakes to do. Holy fuck, I had a date with Daisy tomorrow night.
* * *
I’m not sure who was more nervous, Drew or me. I felt like a teenager again getting ready for a school formal. My hands were balmy, I’d already wiped them down the front of my jeans twice.
“Do you know how long it has been since I went on a first date? Straight, gay or otherwise.”
“Otherwise?” Raising a brow, I ask him.
With a goofy smile, Drew shrugs.
“I owe you a lot, with what you’ve done for me with Daisy.”
“I’m not helping you so you can fuck it up again, you break her heart and there will be blood on my hands. Don’t make me want to forget I have a brother.”
Looking down at my own hands, shaking still with nervous energy, “I know what it’s like to have blood on your hands, Drew.”
“Yeah, I’m sorry, Ollie. That was a shit thing for me to say. I didn’t even realise what I was saying,” Drew’s voice trails off.
“It’s okay. You didn’t know.”
“No, because you haven’t talked about it.”
“And I don’t want to now, either, I just want to get ready and go pick Daisy up.”
“How do you do it?” Drew had taken a seat on the edge of my bed, elbows resting on his bent knees.
“Do what?”
“Deal with the scary shit on a daily basis.”