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

How about tomorrow? Ten?” I’m still holding her hand, but she steps away as if she’ll leave me.

“I’m technically closed on Sundays, so yes. Come then and we can talk.” She lifts her hand, unthreading our fingers, and cuts her eyes towards the band. “I hate this song.”

It makes me chuckle to think she just noticed. It never took her this long before. “I remember.”

Her eyes return to mine, and I almost get a smile. Almost.

“I’ll see you tomorrow then. I’m really tired. I had a late night last night. I think I’ll settle up and go home.”

“Back to Fireside?” I follow her to where the group is standing.

“Oceanside. The Village—I live in the apartment over my store.”

Mental note.

I also note J.R. is edging closer to the door, and Travis the douche is on the other side of Mims talking to Stephanie. “Are you here with that guy?”

“Not really. He’s someone I used to know. I said I’d have a drink with him.”

“If he gives you any trouble—”

“I can take care of myself.”

“And you’re not afraid of anything. I remember.”

“I hope you saved a dance for me, Scoutey.” Mims closes the gap, sliding her hand into the crook of my arm.

J.R. is on my other side, speaking at my shoulder. “I closed out our tab.”

I’d like to give him a high-five, but that might be rude. “Sorry, Mims. I’ve got to get J.R. home. He’s got an early day tomorrow.”

“Tomorrow’s Sunday!” Her voice rises, and my brother visibly winces.

“I’ve got to go, too.” Daisy gives Douche Boy a wave. “It was really… helpful to see you again, Travis.”

My lips press together, fighting a smile.

“What? You’re leaving?” He catches her arm, and my smile is forgotten. He’d better watch how he touches her. “I thought we could talk more.”

She glances at the group before pulling him aside. I don’t move.

“I’m sorry, Travis, it’s like I said, I’m not really available right now.” Her voice is quiet, and I’m not sure how I feel about that statement. “I’m glad you’re doing so well. I hope you continue to grow.”

She gives him a brief hug and steps away, and I step up quickly. “I’ll walk you out.”

My eyes clash with Travis’s, and he seems to get the hint. “See you around, Daisy.”

We make our way to the back exit, but she doesn’t linger in the parking lot.

“I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“I’ll be there at ten.”

“Right.” She waves, practically jogging to her Bronco.

“You’re still driving that old thing?”

Hesitating at the door, she looks from it to me. “My dad gave it to me.”

I get it. It’s a sentimental thing, a gift from her dad. I wait as she hops in and drives away, and I’m very aware of my brother watching the whole thing.

“What were you saying about luck?” His voice has a tone.

Pulling my gaze from the fading tail lights, I shrug. “Nothing’s ever a sure thing.”

“True.” We walk to his shiny black pickup. “But some things are a little closer than others.”

I hesitate for one last look before climbing inside. “I’ve learned never to get too comfortable.”

“You just got burned. All that shit’s behind you.”

I want to believe he’s right, but you never know when the other shoe’s going to drop.

Twenty-Two

Daisy

“I’m telling you, I almost passed out when I saw him.” I try to shake the trembling out of my hands as I cross the smooth pine floors of my loft apartment above the store. “For a minute I really thought we might have conjured him with that spell.”

“Who’s to say we didn’t?” Sly crunches loudly in my ear.

“What are you eating?” I frown at the phone.

“Brittle. And I repeat, who’s to say we didn’t?”

“Did you get it from those nice ladies at the grocery store? They have the best peanut brittle, I swear to God.”

“They would not like you swearing to God, and yes, I did. Bless that poor girl’s heart with those bangs.”

Covering my mouth with my hand, I try not to laugh, and I end up snorting. Then we both laugh louder. “Stop! This is serious. I can’t stop shaking.”

“It is serious!” My cousin cries. “We conjured a man with our lost and found spell! The Palm is Sacred!”

“Sly!” I fill the kettle with water and switch it on. “Focus! He’s going to be in my store tomorrow morning.”

“Ooo… You didn’t tell me that.”

Her voice is ominous, and I swallow the knot in my throat. “He said he wanted to come by, and I figured… We brought him here. It’s time.”

“What time is Donna bringing Melody home?”

“I expect around ten-ish, but Melody’s too little to care. He’d just as soon be Chad or André.” My brow furrows. “Speaking of, he kept asking about Chad. It was so weird.”

“Scout was asking about Chad? Whatever for?”

“I don’t know. He said André told him all about him… Like maybe he thought we were together or something.” I rip open the packet of sweet and spicy goodnight tea as the kettle starts to boil.

“He was jealous…” A hum is in her voice, contemplation. “I knew it would work. Our spell found your true love. He was lost, and poof! Here he is.”

Energy zips through my stomach as I pour the water into the mug. “He wasn’t jealous. He’s never even met Chad, and he’s not my true love.” I try to laugh, but it comes out wobbly. “I have to be sensible about this. It’s been four years since I’ve seen Scout Dunne.”

“Or two hours.”

“He’s going to meet his daughter for the first time tomorrow, and I have no idea what he’ll say or do… I can’t romanticize this.”

“Why not?” She’s getting stubborn. “I’ve seen the two of you together. You talk and laugh and make jokes and pretty babies. You’re a perfect match, and you’ve got this gorgeous little girl who loves football…”

“We barely know each other.”

“That is not true. You’ve known Scout since that pony tried to bite you.”

“As a child. Then I didn’t see him again until senior year, and