Prologue: Daisy
“You’re doing well out there, Daisy.” Daisy gave Trevor her best smile in response, grateful for the position he had given her. It certainly wasn’t an apprenticeship with the best chef in town, but it was a good start. A part-time gig as a waitress for the upper echelon of the city wasn’t too shabby, right?
Even if it meant being on her feet for hours and plastering a smile on her face for the entire night. Trevor had warned her tonight would be a busy evening, but the pay was decent, so she could hardly complain.
“Thank you,” she replied, wondering when it would be a good time to ask him if she could swap the black slacks and white shirt out for a white double-breasted jacket.
She was getting ahead of herself again, but she couldn’t help it. Some passions were just too strong to be tamed. Daisy accepted a full tray, this time with wine instead of the appetizers she had been previously going around with. Next time, she thought to herself, bracing the tray as she walked through the swinging doors. Next time, she would ask Trevor if there was an opening in his catering team. This party was not the time to discuss business matters, anyway; she needed to focus on her current tasks.
The ornate hall was full of exquisitely dressed people, and Daisy knew that some of the dresses she had seen tonight were worth more than she would ever make. Even glancing at the men, who looked simple enough in their tailored black tuxes, Daisy knew there was nothing simple about the price tag. They were designer, which meant they could probably finance a small country if they sold every suit in this place.
The guests took the glasses with ease, paying no attention to Daisy as she moved through the room. In a couple of minutes, her tray was empty again, allowing Daisy to lower her arm, gently flexing while she headed back to the kitchen. She quickly refilled the silver tray with a dozen more drinks, eager for the dinner to start and the promised few minutes of rest, nestled between serving the dinner and preparing for the dessert.
Doors swinging on her heels, Daisy got back to work, noticing with a grimace how everyone still ambled around the room, chatting and networking with the other partygoers.
“You look like a statue,” One of the other servers, Toni, whispered as she passed, laughing as she startled Daisy.
Toni had been employed for Trevor much longer than Daisy had, and it showed through her confidence while serving. Daisy smiled at her bubbly colleague, who took an appetizer for the tray she was holding and popped it into her mouth with a wink.
“What did Trevor say about eating in front of the guests?” Daisy asked with a shake of her head, biting down the chuckle that threatened to burst forward.
“I’m going to faint running around the hall. One bite won’t hurt anyone. In fact, I’m still the picture of professionalism!” While it was true that Toni looked better in the uniform than Daisy ever would, her appearance could be deceiving, as they both knew just how much trouble Toni could get into at these events.
“You are way too serious,” Toni teased, rolling her eyes. “No wonder Trevor likes you. Now let’s hurry and get refills.”
Daisy looked down at the few shrimp tartlets that were resting on Toni’s tray, but they disappeared before she could say anything. She laughed at Toni’s full cheeks, which made her look adorable, despite her mischief.
Daisy quickly handed out her last two glasses, and a few guests placed their empty ones on her tray as they made their way back. The two were out of the hectic kitchen within a minute, going separate directions. A few guests smiled at her as she passed by, while others were too immersed in their conversation. Daisy walked towards the end of the room, frowning when she saw a bracelet on the floor.
She carefully picked it up, admiring the sparkling diamonds that were certainly real. Only a couple of older men were standing nearby, and neither looked as if they had worn the bracelet to the party. Daisy hurriedly put the bracelet in her pocket to drop off in the lost and found bin on her way back to the kitchen.
Daisy only had one drink left on her tray and was about to head back to refill the drinks when she heard a sound behind her coming from the empty dining room. She ducked around the corner, immediately stopping when she saw a man and a woman locked in a heated embrace. Her eyes widened in recognition as she kept looking at the couple in front of her, wondering if she had started to hallucinate because of her fatigue. Maybe she needed to take a quick break before the dinner after all. And probably have something to eat; when was the last time she had eaten something, anyway? She couldn’t remember. But that would probably explain the horrific vision in front of her. She felt her knees trembling as she took a step closer.
If it had been any other guest interlocked in the kiss, Daisy would have quickly turned away and minded her own business, but not when the tall, defined silhouette demanded her attention.
“James?” Daisy demanded in shock.
The dim light streaming in from the hall made it difficult to see details, but she would know that head of hair anywhere. The man guiltily jerked up, confirming what she already knew to be true: It was indeed her boyfriend. Her boyfriend, who seemed very occupied with someone else at the moment. Earlier this morning, James had mentioned that he would be at a work event all night, but he’d been rather vague about the details and Daisy hadn’t pushed. Of all the parties for New York’s finest, he just had to be at this one.
“Daisy?” James asked, looking as confused as she felt. “What are you doing here?”
That was his biggest concern right now? The black and white server’s uniform and tray she was holding should have been a dead giveaway, not that it mattered. What did matter, however, was the blonde he still had his arm around, and the lipstick stain which was slightly imprinted on his mouth. She was breathtaking in her long red gown, which matched the bright matte lipstick that both she and James were now wearing. Her long wavy hair was carefully tossed over her shoulders, every strand in place. Daisy’s uniform and split ends didn’t stand a chance against this woman, and James had clearly recognized this as well. He was still by the blonde’s side while her world fell apart.
“It’s not what you think,” he said, finally taking a step towards her.
As if stabbing her with his betrayal was not enough, he had to twist the knife in her chest too. There was nothing for her to even think about here, as everything seemed obvious from her vantage point. There were two facts in this situation that were clear as day. One, James was her boyfriend. And two, said boyfriend had been searching for the key to the universe’s mysteries in the blonde woman’s tonsils. How stupid did James think she was?
Daisy opened her mouth to tell James exactly what she thought of him, but the words wouldn’t come. She felt tears stinging her eyes and willed them to stay put. There was no way she would cry in front of James and his... date. Her chest filled with pain and humiliation, and she was certain she would burst into tears if she had to stay in the room. So, she did the only thing that she could do right now: she turned and ran.
The main hall was a blur, but Daisy knew the way to the kitchen like the back of her hand from all her trips around the room. Too bad her built in sense of direction didn’t account for any obstacles, nor the drink that was still left in her tray.
Her eyes glazed over, and Daisy wasn’t even aware of the disaster until it occurred. One second she was strolling quickly across the marble floor, and the next she was tumbling to the floor. Strong hands gripped her arms before she landed, but before the rush of relief could fully hit, she heard the light tinkling of glass breaking. Trevor’s expensive glass, Daisy realized with a sense of foreboding dread. She looked up slowly, vision focusing on the wet stain soaking through the fabric of an expensive dress shirt before her.
“I’m so sorry,” she said, preparing for the guest’s inevitable wrath.
When she finally made eye contact with him, she couldn’t help but stare. The man was gorgeous. He had a serious look about him, but his eyes were kind, searching rapidly over her face as if examining her for injuries.
“Are you okay?” he asked, voice deep and gentle, something she had not been expecting.
Daisy didn’t understand why he was worried about her when she was the one who had ruined his shirt and jacket. Still, there was something about him that pulled her in. She had seen a lot of handsome men before and hadn’t given them a second glance. But this man was something else, and Daisy couldn’t take his eyes off him. Never had she felt such an instant attraction to anyone.
Daisy wondered if it was legal for one person to be that good looking and, judging by his suit, rich. The suit she had just spilled a drink all over. Her panic rose as she returned to reality, but she couldn’t even form the hurried apologies that were stuck in her throat.
“Come with me,” he said, putting his hand on her elbow gently and steering her away from the crowd.
Daisy quickly looked back at the broken glass and tray in the middle of the floor, but the man told her to leave it. He had a commanding tone, but not a forceful one. The kind that came with years of leadership and expertise. The kind without the cockiness that so many rich and powerful men employed. She followed him out to the elevators, and it gave her a chance to study him more closely. He was tall with broad shoulders that filled his suit, and, luckily for her, the suit was tailored to showcase his fit form.
“Are you okay?” he asked again, breaking her trance. “You look like you could use a break.”
“What gave me away?” Daisy asked with a sigh. “The stain on your shirt?”
The man chuckled in response. “That, and the fact that you were on the verge of tears.”
The reminder of catching James cheating on her made the tears well up all over again. Had James been cheating on her this whole time, or was it just a onetime thing? Her gut told her it was the former, but he had never given her reason to doubt him throughout their relationship. Was it something that she had done? Did she work too many nights or not pretty herself up anymore? A voice in the back of her mind told her she was not responsible for James’ actions, but it was difficult to be logical when something like that happened.
The elevator saved her from having to answer, and she followed the handsome stranger down the hall and into a lovely suite. Everything was sleek and organized, with the only oddity being a small black suitcase lying open on the luggage rack. The room looked like it cost a fortune to spend a night there.
When Daisy finally looked back at the man, he was staring at her with a peculiar look in his eye, and she felt her ears heating up.
“Please let me clean that up,” she said, gesturing to his shirt and jacket, still damp from the beverage.
“The bathroom is this way,” he directed, leading her to the massive ensuite bathroom before stepping out, returning moments later in only a white tank-top and his shirt and jacket in hand.
Daisy was grateful for something to do with her hands as a hundred thoughts swam through her head. She had just witnessed her boyfriend cheating, and now she had followed this stranger to his hotel room with no reservations. It wasn’t something she would have done if she’d been in her right mind, but she didn’t think the handsome stranger was threatening. Then again, what did she know about men? Her boyfriend had just proved she knew very little.
“I’m Conrad, by the way,” the man said, breaking the silence as Daisy continued to scrub at the shirt.
“Suits you,” she replied, glancing up as she spoke.
“Names suit people?” he asked with a raised brow, the humor clear in his eyes.
Daisy giggled. “Of course. Take me, for example. My parents named me Stanley.”
Conrad burst into laughter and Daisy decided it was the most beautiful sound she had ever heard. His entire face lit up, and secretly, she thought it made Conrad even more attractive—if that was even possible.
“Now that’s just tragic. It doesn’t suit you at all, no offense to all the Stanley’s out there,” Conrad said with another chuckle. “So, do I call you Stanley, or just Stan? I’d prefer to call you beautiful, that certainly suits you better.”
“Depends,” Daisy responded, flirtatious mood instantly souring. “Are you being a total scumbag by cheating on your girlfriend who is nothing but loyal to you?”
That seemed to surprise him, but he just smiled. “I would have to say no. I’m too busy for any kind of relationship right now. But it sounds like there’s a story there. Is that the reason you were so upset before you ruined my shirt earlier?”
The smirk on his face told her he was only teasing her, and she shook her head with a smile.
“I’m not mad. It got you up here, didn’t it? Although I must admit I only wanted you to have a couple of minutes to yourself to calm down, but now my thoughts are not so innocent.”
Daisy licked her lower lip as she imagined the kind of thoughts he was having. If they were like hers, then things were about to get a lot more interesting. She placed Conrad’s damp clothes on the sink and took a step towards him, smiling when he mirrored her action.
Conrad looked at her like he was waiting for a sign of hesitation, but he wouldn’t find any. Not tonight. This was so unlike Daisy, hooking up with someone she didn’t know. But all she could think of right now was how much she wanted this. So she closed her eyes and waited for him to close the remaining distance between them.
The first touch of his lips was like an electric shock to her system, bringing her to life. His lips were soft, and he tasted like sweet wine. Daisy melted against him; her entire senses filled by him. His chest felt good against her palm, and his cologne smelled great too. Everything about him and the kiss they were sharing was perfect, and she couldn’t help but open her mouth to get a deeper taste.
Conrad groaned against her mouth and dived deep, taking control of her mouth. He kissed like a man with purpose, and if that purpose was making her ready for him, then he was fulfilling it. Daisy felt hot all over, and she wanted nothing more than to remove the barriers between them and finally feel him skin on skin. She had never been this fired up in her entire life and all they had done was just kiss. And when his hand finally came up between them to squeeze her breast, she was a goner.
“Conrad!” she gasped against his mouth, moaning when he bit her lower lip gently before letting go.
His eyes were dark with desire, and they matched her own need for him. He traced her lips with his thumb, fueling her want.
“I don’t want to stop,” he whispered.
“Who said you have to?” she asked, earning a sexy smirk before Conrad kissed her again.
He started unbuttoning her white top, throwing it quickly to the floor. Her bra quickly followed, and in seconds she was standing there in half of her birthday suit.
“Beautiful,” Conrad said as he leaned in to give each of her small nubs a kiss.
Daisy had no idea that she was so sensitive until today, and her whole body shuddered in response to Conrad’s actions.
“I want to see all of you, but not here.” He continued, taking her hand in his and walking her to a room with a humongous bed.
“Wow, do you think we’ll fit on there?” she joked, pointing at the bed.
Conrad laughed and shook his head. “It will be a tight fit, but I think we’ll manage.”
He pulled her in for another quick kiss before they each worked on the other’s remaining clothing items. It was a shame that he had to wear a shirt at all, Daisy thought, because Conrad’s chest deserved to be put on display. Her eyes moved down to his strong thighs and the even strongest evidence of desire between them. It was going to be a tight fit indeed, but like he’d said, they would manage. They would even enjoy it.
“You’re blushing,” he said, touching her cheek.
She looked up at him and grinned. “I’m just admiring the view.”
“And what exactly is it about the view that made you blush?”
Daisy laughed and placed her hand on his chest, feeling the steady heartbeat beneath it. “Now you sound like you are fishing for compliments.”
“Oh no, you’ll compliment me all on your own after I have my wicked way with you.”
But there was absolutely nothing wicked about the way he kissed every inch of her skin and worshiped her with his mouth until she cried out in ecstasy. There was nothing wicked about the way that he gently shifted inside her, as if he never wanted to leave. Daisy didn’t know that it was possible to make love to someone that you were not in love with, but there was no other way to describe this. They were so in sync, and when she cried out for the second time that night, he was right there with her.
She wasn’t sure how many hours she had slept, only that it was the best sleep that she’d had in years. Every part of her body hummed at the memory of her earlier pleasure, and Conrad looked so gorgeous even as he slept. But this was not her reality. It had only been a beautiful interlude. She got out of bed and got dressed before placing a kiss on his forehead.
Goodbye beautiful stranger, she thought, then left the room to pass through the lost and found and to apologize to Trevor.
****
It had been two and a half months since her perfect night with Conrad, and Daisy still daydreamed about him at least once a week. It helped to take her away from thoughts of James, who was still texting her and trying to explain. The crazy thing was, if he had just apologized two months ago instead of supplying ever growing excuses, then she might have forgiven him. Might, being the key word. And just as she thought about James, an urge to vomit hit her and she had to rush to the bathroom. She washed her face after she was done and looked in the mirror, taking in her pale skin and bloated face. This had been going on for almost two weeks now and she couldn’t ignore it anymore: something was wrong with her, and it wasn’t the early and long shifts at the diner like she’d originally thought.
The only other reason to explain her symptoms, aside from fatigue, was something she didn’t even want to think of. And there was only one way to find out. 30 minutes later, after a quick trip to the pharmacy and Daisy was staring at the two sticks that could change her life forever. Please be one line. Please be one line. She muttered the statement over and over as if that would affect the outcome.
Daisy felt like she had been waiting for ages for the tests to give her a result, rather than the few minutes it took. She bit her lower lip and stared at the first test, then the next. A part of her already knew the outcome, but she was just hoping that she was somehow wrong. That the nausea and missed period only resulted from her working too hard at her new job. She had been filling in for a chef on maternity leave at a nearby diner, and it was hard work, but she’d been grateful for the experience it was giving her. A small step closer to her ultimate dream, unless she had ruined it all without even knowing it.
“Come on.” She whispered, focusing on the first test.
As if her sheer will could conjure a response, another faint pink line appeared, bleeding through on the test screen. Daisy’s heart stopped, and she saw her entire life flashing before her eyes. Only it wasn’t her past, it was the future. A future that included a little boy or girl waiting to be tucked in. Helping her child with homework. Teaching them how to ride a bike and nursing their bruises when they fell off it the first time. Never in a million years had she thought that she would be a mother at twenty-two, still having a long list of things she had wanted to accomplish before starting a family. But she had made her bed and her life was about to change. Drastically. Daisy looked at the other test, which confirmed the news. A bout of nausea hit her hard. She emptied the remaining contents of her stomach and tears welled in her eyes when she finally came up for air.
It was official. She was pregnant.
She thought back to her last time she had been with James and there was no way this child was his. It had been almost two months before Conrad, and they had always used protection. How could she have gotten so carried away and been so stupid? She wanted to scream, but there was nothing to be done now except plan the way forward. And later that evening, when her mother finally came home, Daisy decided there was no better time than the present to break the news.
“Come again?” her mother said, looking at her like she really hadn’t heard her correctly.
Daisy sighed. “I’m pregnant, mom.”
“You’re what?”
“I’m scared, mom.” Daisy said, feeling like she would cry for the first time since finding out.
She needed her mother to hold her and tell that everything would be fine; but judging by the look on her face, that would not be happening anytime soon.
“Does James know?” her mother finally asked after a long moment of silence.
Daisy shook her head. “It’s not his.”
“But you are not dating someone else, are you?”
“I’m not. It was a one-time thing.” Daisy replied in almost a whisper, feeling shame over her actions.
“It’s about to turn into a lifetime thing from the looks of it! Daisy Lang, how could you be so reckless?”
Daisy had asked herself that same question repeatedly, but it brought no solutions. So, she remained quiet and let her mother get it out of her system. She paced the room for a few minutes before coming to stand in front of Daisy again and continuing. “You’ll have to pretend that it’s James’.”
Daisy looked at her mother in shock. “What?”
“You heard me, it’s the only way.”
She stood up and walked away from her mother, trying to get some distance between them. She felt nauseous at the suggestion, and this time it wasn’t pregnancy hormones, but her conscience instead.
“You can’t raise a child on your own,” her mother said firmly.
“I know it is hard, mom, but I cannot and will not pretend that this baby is James’. It’s not even that I hate his guts. Doing this would just be wrong,” Daisy answered, trying to bite back a scowl.
“I’m worried about you, Daisy,” her mom finally pleaded. “Raising a child alone is a lot harder than you think it is. Not only a financial point of view, but emotional as well. I don’t think you’ve thought all of this through.”
Daisy sighed, feeling hopeless. She understood what her mother was saying, but she couldn’t agree with her suggestion. She would work two jobs, or even three, to support her child before she lied about something so big and consequential. There was just no way that she was going to trick James into helping to raise her child.
“I have thought about nothing else from the moment I saw those two lines, mom. And I won’t even lie and say I’m not scared, or I have everything figured out, because I don’t. I’m scared out of my mind, but lying to James is out of the question.” Daisy kept her voice deceptively calm, observing her mom’s reaction with a critical eye.
“James loves you-”
“James cheated on me, mom!” Daisy cried out, cutting her mid-sentence.
She looked at her mother in disbelief, wondering how she could have forgotten what happened. James didn’t care about her, he only cared about himself. But she still would not trick him into taking responsibility for her child.
“Daisy, listen to me. You need to put your feelings aside and think about your future. You’ll be waking up alone in the middle of the night. You’ll be responsible for the medical bills and childcare all on your own. Your child will need the security and stability that two parents can bring.”
It was so tempting when her mother put it like that. But this was her responsibility, and she would do whatever it took to make sure her child had everything that they needed, despite not having a father in their life.
“I will make sure that this child has all they need, mom. And I will do it without bringing James into this whole equation.” Daisy didn’t want to fight with her mother over this. She needed all the support she could get.
Just not the type of support that her mother was suggesting. After a minute of silence, it looked like neither of them was budging. Finally, her mom exploded.
“You know what, fine. Go and do what you want.”
“I need you to understand, mom-”
“And I need you to start to behave like an adult,” Daisy’s mom shouted, interrupting Daisy with fire in her eyes. “You can’t afford to hold such high moral standards when you need to put that child first.”
“Would you have done that to dad? If someone else had gotten you pregnant?” Daisy asked, trying to appeal to her mother.
“I wasn’t the one stupid enough to have unprotected sex with a stranger. I know I taught you to have better sense than that!”
“I’m sorry we can’t all be perfect like you!” Daisy threw back, instantly regretting it when she saw the look on her mother’s face.
“You want to do this on your own? Then do it. But don’t expect me to support you and your child. I raised mine. Now it’s time for you to do the same on your own. I want you out of the house in an hour.”
“Mom—”
“No,” her mother said, raising her hand for her to stop talking. “Do what you see fit, Daisy. You are an adult now, after all.”
Daisy couldn’t believe that her mother was kicking her out, but she also knew how stubborn her mother could be when she thought she was right. There would be no convincing her to let her stay.
And that was how she found herself at her Emma’s apartment with only a small duffle bag an hour later.
The moment her best friend opened her door, the flood gates finally opened. Daisy couldn’t stop the tears streaming from her eyes, so Emma led her to the couch, patiently hugging her until the waterworks stopped. Daisy rubbed her eyes, suddenly realizing how thirsty she was. She would have opted for something stronger to forget the entire night, but water would have to do for the next few months. Emma said nothing as Daisy dug a water bottle out of the side of her bag, draining the bottle of its contents and tossing it haphazardly back on her bag. It bounced off, clattering to the floor, causing Emma to dissolve into giggles.
“Now, spill. Why are you here drenching my sofa? Do I need to hire someone to beat the hair gel out of James?” she finally calmed herself enough to ask.
Daisy couldn’t help but laugh at her friend’s antics, which brought on the tears again. “I’m pregnant and mom just kicked me out and I don’t know what to do. I told her I could do it on my own, but I don’t think I can Emma, what am I going to do? How do I raise a baby on my own?”
She spoke between sobs, and it was a wonder that her friend even understood her at all.
“James?” was Emma’s only question, and Daisy shook her head.
“It was just a one-night stand; I don’t even know the guy’s full name.”
“I thought that was my thing!” Emma exclaimed, feigning outrage.
Daisy managed a smile, but it was difficult to maintain with the general gloominess of the past hour dragging her mood right back down. She told Emma about what her mother had suggested, including the plot to trick James into supporting her child.
“Is that something you’re still considering?” Emma’s voice was neutral, as if she was carefully navigating the conversation.
“Of course not,” Daisy said with a frown. “We had a whole fight about it. That’s why she kicked me out. I am officially banned from my mother’s house because I won’t agree with her on this.”
“I’m glad. Who would want scumbag James as a dad, anyway? All those hair products cannot be good for a baby!”
Daisy chuckled at Emma’s attempt to make her feel better. She could see the love and determination on her friend’s face. Her child might not have a dad, but one thing that Daisy could promise them was the best aunt ever.
“I’ll babysit as much as you need me to, and you are more than welcome to stay with me as long as you want. Just don’t leave dirty dishes in the sink.” Emma said.
“Even when the baby wakes you up every night? Dishes are all you’re worried about?” Daisy asked with a small smile.
“Oh please, you know I sleep like the dead. You’re on your own during the nights.”
“Thank you.” Daisy said, sincerity dripping from her voice.
Emma always knew just what to say to cheer her up. While Daisy was typically more serious, Emma brought an important balance to her life, complementing her in the way only a best friend could.
“I know this won’t be a walk in the park, but we’ll just have to take each day as they come?” Emma blinked quickly at what she had just said before continuing with a deep grin. “And look at me, being a wise aunt already. I’m going to be so good at this!”
“I really think you will,” Daisy promised, leaning back against Emma on the couch.
“And you are going to be the best mom ever, Daisy. You’re already the most caring person I know. I’m here for you. We can even go to those birthing classes together if you want me to.” Emma punctuated her statement with a wink.
“I couldn’t ask for anyone better to hold my hand through this,” Daisy said, winking back. “Again, thank you Emma.”
“Just take care of your kidneys in case I need one in a few years. We can call it even.”
Daisy laughed. While Emma certainly enjoyed a good night out, she really wasn’t that heavy a drinker.
“At least tell me the father was cute so that my nephew will be cute too,” Emma wheedled curiously.
Daisy playfully punched her friend in the arm, “All babies are beautiful!”
“We’ll see.” Emma teased, making Daisy feel a thousand times better than when she’d arrived.
Everything is going to be okay, she thought. Emma would step up and help her out. They would all be fine. And, for Emma’s peace of mind, good genes would be the least of their worries. Conrad had those in abundance.
