Twist of Fate by Louise, Tia (free ebook reader for ipad .txt) 📗

I can’t leave this with her running out of the room after some pretty mind-blowing sex and hiding in the shower to cry.

We enter the open, white bath, and I have to admit, it’s luxurious. “Wow.”

“That’s my palindrome.” A smile hints at her lips, and the tension in my chest releases.

“It looks really good.”

“Thank you.”

“Not as good as you.” I try a wink, and her eyes narrow.

“It’s no use flirting with me. I’ve seen you in action.”

“I’m dead serious. You look amazing.” Stepping closer, I lower my voice. “I want to turn you around and flip that skirt over your cute little ass—”

“Shh!” She steps forward, placing her fingers just in front of my lips. Her cheeks flush, and she’s just so pretty.

Reaching up, I slide my thumb along a golden curl. “I didn’t mean to hurt you.”

“You didn’t.”

Her chin lifts, and I can’t resist. Lowering my face, I slide my lips over hers, pulling them in for a teasing kiss. She clutches the front of my shirt, and our mouths open, tongues colliding, heat spiking…

“And this bathroom is…” Sly’s loud voice sends us breaking apart. “Very interesting.”

“I was just showing Scout how it turned out.” Daisy motions around to the walls, but her face is beet red. “You know he helped me with the paint and the wallpaper.”

“What else did he help you with?” Daisy’s cousin smiles in the way that reminds me how she got her nickname.

Sly’s no dummy. We are stone cold busted.

“Oh, will you look at this!” Gran walks in the room with her hand over her heart. “I just can’t believe the transformation.”

“I’m so proud of my niece.” Ms. Regina walks over and puts her arm around Daisy. “You sweet thing, look how red your cheeks are. Don’t be embarrassed! Accept the praise. You earned it.”

Sly exhales a laugh, and I clear my throat. “I hate to break up the party, but I’ve got to hit the road soon.”

“I just have some finger foods in the kitchen.” Daisy walks right past me, and frustration tightens my throat.

Sly’s eyes meet mine, and she calls after her as we head down the stairs.

“I had offered to give Scout a ride to Charleston, but I just realized I have a client at one. Maybe you could give him a ride, Daisy?”

Daisy pauses at the bottom step and looks up at us. “I don’t—”

“It’s okay, I can call a Lyft.” As much as I like Sly’s attempt, as much as I want us to have a proper goodbye, I don’t want to pressure her.

“That’ll cost you fifty bucks,” Sly exclaims. “Daisy, you can give him a ride. It’s only a half-hour drive.”

Daisy’s brown eyes meet mine, and she takes a breath. “I can do that.”

Eleven

Daisy

“What will you do when you get there?” My chest aches with every inhale, and I’m doing my best not to reach for his hand.

I’m driving him to the airport.

It’s over.

I should have found an excuse when Sly suggested I drive him to the airport, but I wanted these final moments. As painful as they are, I’ve missed him these last few days, talking to him, kissing him, touching him. He’s so beautiful in the passenger’s seat with the wind blowing his light brown hair around his temples. How could I not fall for him?

“I applied for a production job on set, but those jobs get snapped up fast. I’ve got a meeting with an agent. What would be ideal is if I got cast as an extra.”

“Sounds like a solid plan.”

“It’s still going to take a ton of luck.”

He’s so unexpected. Scout is one of the hottest guys anywhere and a total flirt, but he’s got this secret, vulnerable side. He’s not one hundred percent a cocky bastard. Just ninety-five percent.

“I wish I’d gotten to see you act more. You’re really talented.”

“Hopefully you will.” He gives me that killer grin, and it’s like a stab in the heart.

And I’ve got to stop.

I’ve been doing my best to recast how I think about what happened between us. I had a week where I made amazing, hot memories with a guy who is destined to be the next Brad Pitt. It’s a fun story I can think about when I’m an old lady and he’s a massive star. I can tell my grandkids a clean version of the story.

Still, it’s hard not to want to hold onto him. I imagine myself holding onto his ankle as he walks away dragging me behind him on the sidewalk.

“I wasn’t able to act as much in college because of football, but I hope I’ve done enough to get me started.”

“They’ll take one look at you and put you in everything.”

“I don’t know. There’s a lot of good-looking guys out there.”

We pass a road sign that says we’re five miles from the airport. I can’t remember this drive ever going so fast. Again, my heart clenches, and I think of all the things we never got to say.

“What movie do you wish you’d have been in?”

He leans back, sliding his hands down his thighs. A flash of memory, of those hands on me burns in my chest. “Too many… let me think. I guess… Signs.”

“Really? The alien movie?”

“It’s more than that.” He looks out the window, and the muscle in his jaw moves. “I like the quiet build, the look of it. It has a good message.”

“Aliens melt like the Wicked Witch of the West?” I’m teasing, but he’s unexpectedly serious.

“It’s about forgiveness and second chances; being a hero even when you strike out. It’s a cool film.”

I study the road a minute, thinking. “And here I thought you’d say Xanadu.”

He exhales a laugh. “That’s really a terrible film.”

“Are you kidding me? It’s got roller skating and Olivia Newton-John. It’s magical.”

“Right.” He grins, looking out the window.

We’re approaching the airport, and I wish there was some way to go slower. I’m not ready to say goodbye. I follow the lane for departures up to the terminal building. He