Page 153 of The One

With her fingers now looped through mine, I let the door shut behind me and joined them in the hallway.

“I don’t think your uncle would ever let you buy,” I replied, giving her a little squeeze.

“Hi,” I said to Rhett. My cheeks flushed as I felt his gaze across my whole body.

“Hey, you.” He was giving me the sexiest grin as he put his arm around my shoulders, which placed me in between them.

“You’re right, Uncle ’Ett. Lainey issooopretty. Like, the prettiest, like Mommy and Auntie Row.”

He kissed my forehead. “I told you she was gorgeous, Daisy.”

“And she has the best hair ever.” She reached for one of my curls and bounced it in her hand. “I love it so much.”

“You two are making me blush,” I said.

As we reached the elevator, Daisy voiced, “Uncle ’Ett said I’m a surprise. Were you surprised to see me?”

I lifted the flowers from my side and smelled the daisies. “Big time,” I told her. “And I’m just as surprised that you gave me these. I love them. Thank you.”

“I picked them out all by myself. I thought you would love pink, just like me.”

“Hey, speaking of pink,” I said, “I heard you were a big influence in your uncle getting his toes painted sparkly pink.”

She put her hand over her mouth. “That was totally me.”

“I’m a big fan of the color. You picked out the perfect shade.” I winked at her.

“Uncle ’Ett showed you his toes?” Her eyes got big. “Ewww.”

I laughed. “He did.”

“See, Uncle ’Ett, I did a good job! Even Lainey Taylor”—she giggled over my last name—“loves them!”

Daisy asked Rhett if she could hit the button.

Once she pushed it, Rhett said, “I think we need to go for another pedicure, Daisy, so I can get the color off. It’s time.”

“Another pink!” she replied. “Hot pink!”

“Oh, I bet hot pink would look amazing on you,” I said to Rhett.

He shook his head at me, smiling.

“I want you to come next time we get our toes done,” Daisy said, resting her face against my arm. “We can get matching ones too.”

“I would love that,” I told her. “So, tell me, Daisy, what are we eating for lunch?”

“Egg burritos!”

“That does sound delicious,” I replied. “Is that your favorite lunch?”

“I eat egg burritos every day.” She pushed a pigtail out of her face. “I just love them with extra-gooey cheese that squirts out the bottom. I try really hard not to get it all over me, but sometimes, it happens, and I’m covered in cheese.” She smiled. “That’s kinda the best part.”

“Sounds like a stomach disaster for Lainey,” Rhett said, grinning.

I laughed at him and replied to Daisy, “Gooey cheese sounds incredible.”

When the elevator dinged, Daisy released me and rushed inside to hit the button for the lobby. “Uncle ’Ett, you haven’t told us where we’re eating. Say burritos. Say burritos. Please!”