Page 100 of Dare to Love Me

She gives me a pointed look. “Even those Reiki treatmentsyousuggested.”

I just stare at her. Blink. “What? Why didn’t you tell me?”

“He didn’t want people to know.” She sighs. “I’m sorry, love. I hate keeping secrets from you.”

My chest tightens, my thoughts swirling. “But why? Why wouldn’t he want people to know? That’s . . . it’s a big deal.”

Her smile tilts, a little sad around the edges. “Because that’s Edward. He doesn’t like throwing his wealth around, even when it’s for something good. He’s always been like that. A gentleman through and through.”

She looks at me, serious now. “I’ve watched him agonize over every decision he makes, Daisy. He’s not superficially charming like Charlie, no. But when Edward says something—when he does something—he means it. And honestly? That’s worth so much more.”

“But . . . he thinks reiki is nonsense.”

She shrugs. “Maybe. But he still paid for it. Because he knew how much it meant to me. And to you.”

I stare at her, my heart doing this weird, uncomfortable squeeze.

Edward didn’t just cover the proper medical stuff—he paid for the hippy-dippy nonsense he probably thinks is about as scientific as rubbing a magic lamp.

My throat tightens.

Regardless of his intentions with me, I had no right to treat him the way I did.

I treated him like . . . well, like Charlie.

Edward asked me to dinner, and I went full defensive psycho.

But what if I got it wrong?

What if he genuinely just wanted to have dinner with me?

Not some grand, clandestine affair—just a normal, straightforward date?

Stupid. Stupid,stupidDaisy.

My stomach twists itself into guilty knots as the realization sinks in.

Charlie would have made sure the whole bloody world knew he was paying for Mum’s treatment. Would have reminded me every chance he got.

Edward? He didn’t even want me to know.

And instead of throwing my angry words at the brother who actually deserved them, I’d hurled them at the man who told me I was the human embodiment of joy.

I’ve been an idiot. A complete, thoughtless idiot.

CHAPTER 24

Daisy

I’m standing outside thehospital, my heart hammering like I’ve just sprinted the London Marathon, which is insane because all I’ve done is pace back and forth.

Sophia said he’s working today. I’d casually wrangled that bit of info out of her. Hopefully, she didn’t pick up on how weird that was. If she did, she was polite enough not to say “You sound like a stalker, are you a stalker?”

I’ve already drafted a message to him. Twice. Deleted both.

I stare at my latest attempt, biting the inside of my cheek.

Hi. Are you free for a quick chat? I’m near the hospital.