Page 54 of The Rebel

“I’ll take one,” I replied.

Daisy nodded. “Me too. Anthony keeps saying it’s the best in town.” She was speaking faster than usual, which clued me in that she was nervous.

“Interesting,” Julian said, looking between the two of us.

Oh, come on. He couldn’t pick up on anything from that!

He cocked a brow, and the corner of his mouth twitched.

Yes, he fucking did.I couldn’t believe it.

He immediately mixed the drinks and put two glasses in front of us.

As we sat on the chairs Scarlett and Bella had vacated, I said, “Daisy, from this moment on, you are not here as my assistant. You’re just here to enjoy the show.” After a beat, I added, “Off the clock.”

She swallowed hard, sipping from her Sazerac. “This is really good!”

“Thank you.” Julian was still looking at me, eyebrow raised.

I shook my head, and he shrugged. The last thing I wanted was for him to make her uncomfortable.

I took two large sips of my drink, enjoying the way it burned down my throat as the ice cooled me off. I wanted to talk to Daisy in a more secluded spot. I should’ve insisted we stay back in the room to settle things, but I hadn’t been able to think straight. Just as I was about to ask her to go somewhere, Sal, one of the producers I’d invited here tonight, came up to me.

“Anthony, good to see you. Up for business talk?” He glanced at my Sazerac.

“Yes. It’s only the first drink.”

“Perfect. Can we talk privately?”

“Sure, there’s an office in back.”

“Perfect.”

I glanced at Daisy and Julian.

Julian nodded, but Daisy just averted her gaze.

I looked over my shoulder at her as I led Sal to the back room. She was chatting with Julian. I zeroed in on her body language. Her shoulders were relaxed, her legs dangling at the side of the chair. Julian had an uncanny ability to put people at ease. I couldn’t wait to finish the conversation with Sal so I could find Daisy again.

But when I returned to the bar an hour later, Julian told me she’d already left.

Fuck.

CHAPTER 13

DAISY

The next morning,Annelise prepared her famous granola for breakfast, and we both ate on the balcony while sipping coffee.

“You’re awfully quiet,” she said as she took a spoonful of yogurt and granola.

“I’m a bit tired,” I admitted.

“But you didn’t come in that late yesterday.”

“You heard me? I’m so sorry. I tried to be really quiet.”

“You know me. I sleep light.”