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 gets out, and I put the car in park so I can walk around to help him.
“I guess this is it.”
He catches my hand, and for a second, he seems to be trying to decide what to say. His dark brow furrows over his pretty blue eyes. “Think you’ll ever travel out to the West Coast?”
I shrug, thinking. “I don’t know. Maybe?”
“I bet you could have a great shop in L.A.”
Our eyes meet, and I think I