Page 66 of Fragile Hearts

And honestly, it is. He has the resources, the money, all at his fingertips, and he has no problem using it to spoil me.

“While that offer is incredibly generous, I have class and work, and so do you. We can’t just pick up and leave whenever we want.”

“You’re right,” he echoes back. Taking my chin between his fingers, he pulls my mouth to him. “I love you.”

“What was that for?”

“Just thought you needed a little reminder.” He swats my ass, hitting me with a cheeky grin. “I’m gonna go shower, and then we can eat, okay?”

“All good, babe.”

Owen disappears down the hall, and as I’m stirring dinner, my phone chimes.

* * *

Daisy: I miss your face! I’m coming over, so you better be home.

Me: I’m here! And I miss your face too.

* * *

Ten minutes later, Daisy is strolling through the door. Her dark hair is piled on top of her head, a messy bun that comes across as effortlessly perfect, and she’s absolutely beaming when she sees me.

“Oh my god,” she wails, running over to hug me. “It feels like I haven’t seen you in like a fucking decade.”

It has been tough. We lived together for a year, basically seeing each other every day and spending hours together regularly.

“I know. I miss you so much. How are things going at your mom’s?” I ask, knowing this is where Daisy ended up when we got evicted.

“Shitty,” she replies, rolling her eyes as she pulls out a stool at the island. Resting her elbows on the cool white marble, she lets out an exasperated sigh.

“What’s going on?”

I spoon some long rice into bowls for the two of us, not bothering with Owen’s yet since he’s still in the shower.

Pushing one of the bowls across the table to her, she pushes her full bottom lip out in a pout. “Alana’s chicken long rice,” she says, a hint of sadness in her tone that I feel too.

“It’s weird having her gone, right?” I say, my nose wrinkling up.

“Totally, but she deserves it. She’s out there kicking the surfing world’s ass, which is where she was always meant to be,” Daisy says, and I nod in agreement. “Even weirder was having you gone. Tell me about your trip.”

“You tell me why living with your mom has been shitty, and then I’ll fill you in on my weekend with Owen,” I counter.

“You know why,” she replies, rolling her eyes. “Isaac. She hates him.”

I want to tell her we all hate him, but I reserve my words for a time when they might mean something. Right now, she’s all-in with him again, still trying to drown her sorrows over Miles despite Isaac’s asshole tendencies and the shitty way he treats Daisy.

I’m not one to talk though, or to dish out advice. I avoided Owen like the plague, and now look at us. If only Daisy would see…

“Yeah, how are things with him?” I ask, but her response will be what it always is.

“Good, great, actually.” And now it’s me who wants to roll my eyes, but I control myself. Things with Daisy and Isaac are never great. It’s the reason she never brings him around when we’re all together. Things will never be great, yet she just can’t seem to see that.

“Awesome. Glad to hear it,” I say, the lie slipping out way too easily. If Alana were here, she’d be the one voicing her opinion on it all.

“Now, your weekend,” Daisy says, just as Owen comes into the kitchen.

“Daze,” he calls, walking over to her. He drops a kiss on the top of her head. “Good to see you.”