Twist of Fate Louise, Tia (read dune .txt) 📖

“Scout? I-is that you?”

J.R. releases me, and I turn to see Daisy standing there, big brown eyes wide. Mr. Bad News is still at the bar watching us with impatient suspicion. I’d like to flip him off, but she’s here.

“Hey, Daisy.” My voice is completely changed, the anger gone.

“You’re here.” She’s breathing fast, almost like she’s seen a ghost, and she touches my arm carefully, like she’s testing to see if it’s real.

“It’s been a while, I know.” I cover her hand with mine, soft and warm. “I’ve been wanting to see you.”

That adorable flush of pink fills her cheeks. I’ve wondered so many times if it would still happen when I saw her again. She’s so pretty.

“I can’t believe it… What are you doing here?”

“I came back to help with Jesse, and I’m between jobs, so I’m staying with Gran.”

Her fingers curl on my sleeve, and for a moment I think she’s going to pull me closer, step into the hug I’m ready to give. Until Tattoo Boy joins us.

“Hey, Daisy May, who’s your friend?” His voice is rough like sandpaper, like he smokes twelve packs a day.

I hate him at once. Why is he calling her that? Daisy’s middle name is Kate. Shouldn’t Chad the wonder cop know that?

“He’s not my friend…” She pulls her hand away, shaking her head as if she’s waking up from a dream.

“I’m Scout Dunne.” I hold out my hand. “This is my brother J.R. You must be Chad.”

The guy squints at me, and I stand straighter, liking the fact I’m a good three inches or so taller than him.

“I’m Travis.” Scumbag shakes my hand. “Travis Walker.”

“Travis Walker?” It comes out a bit on the confused and pissed side, and J.R. steps forward.

“Hey, Daisy. How’s it going.” He actually gives her a hug, which surprises her as much as it does me.

They were never particularly close, and I’m sure my brother is trying to step between me and this new asshole. He’s going to have to try harder.

“So, Travis.” I step around him. “How do you know Daisy?”

He smiles like a snake and slides a hand along her waist. “Daisy and I go way back.”

“Is that so?” I look at his hand and when my eyes meet his, it’s on. “I’ve known Daisy since she was a little girl.”

“So, you’re like one of those big brother types.” Try harder, dick.

“No. Not at all.”

Daisy exhales a flustered sound. “Travis is just in town for a visit. We were just having a drink. It’s nothing.”

“How about we join you?”

“Oh, I don’t know.” She looks from me to Travis.

“Scout. Dunne!” Mims’s shrill voice cuts us off, and she bounds up next to me, grabbing my arm. “What are you doing here?”

“I’m taking off, if you’ve got it under control here?” My brother steps back, and I nearly grab him.

I don’t have to. Mims catches his arm, holding us both at her sides. “Now you just stop right there, John Roth! Always running off like that. I never get to chat with you anymore.”

“I really need to get home, Mims.”

“Home’s going to be there when you get there.” Mims’s minion friend Stephanie Marlowe steps up on the other side of my brother. “Stephanie, look who’s here.”

“Hey, guys…” Then her expression melts. “Oh, hey, Daisy.”

“Daisy Sales.” Mims’s smile falters as well. “I didn’t know you were here.”

Daisy by contrast puts on a big, fake smile. “Hi, Mims, Stephanie. It’s always fun to see you two.”

“Whatever that means.” Mims turns to me. “Would you be a dear and buy me a drink, Scoutey?”

Scoutey? What the fuck?

“Tell you what, just order something on my tab.” I motion to the bartender, and the guy nods. I give her a gentle nudge in that direction. “Help yourself. I need to talk to Daisy a second.”

Catching Daisy’s arm, I drag her away from all of them out onto the dance floor. She makes a noise, but she doesn’t fight me. We’re out on the now-crowded floor, and I realize it’s crowded because the band is playing “Red, Red Wine.” I almost laugh, remembering how much she hates this song. I pull her closer, leaning down to inhale deeply her familiar scent of caramel and soft magnolia.

“They’re playing your favorite song.”

She shakes her head, pulling away as she glances over her shoulder to where we left everyone. I follow her eyes and see my brother is glaring daggers at me, while Travis the asshole appears to be brooding.

I lift my chin and smile. “Where’s Chad?”

“Chad?” Her eyes blink back to mine, and confusion lines her brow. “Chad Tucker? I expect he’s working. How do you know about him?”

“André told me yesterday. I went by your store to see you, but you weren’t there.”

“You were at my store yesterday?”

“Yeah, but you’d already gone. André said you’d be back on Monday, so I was going to try again.” I give her hand a gentle pull, wanting her closer to me. “Don’t worry, I wasn’t going to leave without saying hi.”

“I still can’t believe you’re here.” She says it softly, her fingers curling on my arm. “You look… the same.”

Her cheeks flush so pretty, and I run my eyes along the soft curls framing her face. “You haven’t changed a bit, Tink.”

Her bottom lip pulls between her teeth, and when her eyes meet mine again, they’re shining. Is she crying? Is she happy? I can’t tell. She seems nervous.

“Does that make you Peter Pan?” It’s a hint of a tease, and we’re so close to how we used to laugh and talk.

“You know I’m not a child.” Heat filters through my stomach, and I remember kissing her. It’s been so long, but it’s like muscle memory. I want to slide my thumb along her cheek, tug her soft bottom lip free of her teeth.

She shakes her head, breaking the spell. “We need to talk. Would you be willing to come by my shop again?”

“I’d love to.