"And if he doesn't accept this?"
"Then he doesn't accept it. But I'm not walking away again." His hands tightened on my waist. "Not ever."
I believed him.
For the first time in eight years, I let myself believe.
Chapter 9: Daisy
Sunlight streamed through my window, and I lay there for a long moment, letting the memories of last night wash over me. Knox's hands on my body. His mouth on my skin. The way he'd said my name when he came apart.
A smile tugged at my lips. Then reality crept in, cold and unwelcome.
Cal.
I had to talk to Cal.
I showered and dressed slowly, rehearsing conversations in my head. None of them went well. How did you tell the man who'd raised you, the man who'd been more of a father than your actual father, that he'd ruined your life with a choice he'd made eight years ago?
I went downstairs to find Cal already gone. A note on the counter said he had an early shift and wouldn't be back until dinner.
Relief and frustration warred in my chest. I had time to prepare, but I also had time to overthink.
Knox's truck pulled into the driveway at eight, right on schedule. I watched him climb out, toolbox in hand, and felt my stomach flip. He looked up at the window, caught me watching, and smiled.
That smile. God, that smile could undo me.
I met him at the back door. Before I could say anything, he pulled me into his arms and kissed me, slow and thorough, like we had all the time in the world.
"Good morning," he murmured against my lips.
"Good morning yourself."
He pulled back, studying my face. "You okay?"
"Cal's not here. He left early. I was going to talk to him tonight."
Knox nodded, his expression sobering. "You want me there?"
"No." I shook my head. "This is between me and him. At least at first."
"Whatever you need." He kissed my forehead. "I'll be here."
I watched him head to the deck, then grabbed my bag and left for work. The conversation with Cal would have to wait until tonight. In the meantime, I had patients to see and a life to pretend was normal.
***
The clinic was busy. Friday always was, people trying to squeeze in appointments before the weekend. I threw myself into the work, grateful for the distraction.
Lila noticed something was different. Of course she did.
"You're glowing," she said during a quiet moment between patients. "Either you won the lottery or you got laid."
I choked on my coffee. "Lila."
"I'm a doctor. I notice things." She grinned. "Also, you have a hickey on your neck that your collar isn't quite covering."
My hand flew to my neck. Sure enough, there was a tender spot just below my jaw. Knox's mouth, last night, when he'd been driving me insane.