by Gina Azzi
“Does she have a lot of younger siblings?”
“No. She’s the youngest. Got three older brothers.”
He turns to me, snorting.
“They like me.” I blurt out.
“Sure they do. You’re a likeable ol’ bawbag, yeah?”
“Fuck off.” I shove him, grinning at his taking the mick. He’s still my only friend who regularly makes my life hell with all of his teasing and jests.
“The wee lad’s in love.” Roger continues, smiling at his nephew. “It’s good for him, though.” He lowers his voice. “Been havin’ a tough time with his dad workin’ abroad and his mum takin’ on extra gigs.”
“I know. It’s good to see him having fun.” I agree, knowing that things have been financially tight for Roger’s sister’s family the past year or so. Even tighter than usual.
Daisy looks up then, her eyes catching mine. Playfulness clings to her irises and I smother a smile. She takes a sip of hot cocoa, the creamy foam sticking to her upper lip. Her tongue swipes against it and I nearly groan aloud at the visual.
“Ye look like yer tearin’ the tartan over there.” Roger comments, leaning forward and resting his elbows on the table. “What’s the lad bletherin’ about?”
Daisy smirks, raising her eyebrows. “I was learning all about how the two of you guys were,” she looks to Gerry who nods seriously, “steamin’ from too many bevvies on Hogmanay.” She blurts out in the most God-awful Scottish accent I’ve ever heard.
Roger and I crack up at her accent and Daisy grins, not a lick of embarrassment on her cheeks.
“Did he, now? Well, I’d dare say he’s leavin’ a few bits out.” Roger gives his nephew a look, grinning when Gerry’s ears turn pink.
“Like what?” Daisy asks, raising her eyebrows in a combination of curiosity and amusement.
“Like how his uncle Roger charmed the pants off a beautiful lass.”
“I hope not literally.” Daisy cracks back and Roger laughs again, shooting me a quick look. In his eyes, I read the stamp of approval. Great, another one bites the dust. I swear, by the end of today, Roger will be right behind Gerry in professing his love for Daisy.
“Just a kiss at midnight, Daisy. Ringing in the New Year like everyone else.”
Daisy’s eyes find mine, questioning and curious, before she blinks, her thoughts concealed once more. Looking to Gerry for confirmation, the lad shrugs, his ears morphing from pink to red. “Mum says there’s no tellin’ where the night will end when Uncle Roger and Finn go out on the skite.”
Daisy’s eyebrows furrow in confusion.
“It means having a night out, heavy drinking included.” I explain.
“Oh!” she laughs, the sound musical. “I swear, y’all are speaking another language sometimes.”
“You’ll get used to it. Scottish has its own special slang.” I add.
“Like, ‘yer bum’s oot the windae.’” Roger provides helpfully.
“Oh gosh, I can’t even guess.” Daisy looks to Gerry for help.
“Talkin’ rubbish.” He says, taking a giant gulp of his hot chocolate, a moustache forming on his upper lip.
“Like ye do all the time.” Roger smirks at his nephew. “Alright then. I need to get Gerry home to his mum in time for tea. We’ll leave ye to it.” He inclines his head toward Daisy. “Thanks for comin’ with us. It was great to meet ye.”
“The pleasure was all mine. I feel like a real local now that I’ve been here.” She gestures to the tables surrounding us, filling up with local residents.
“Hope to see ye again soon, Daisy.” Roger stands up and gestures for Gerry to slide out of the booth.
He scrambles out quickly but not before Daisy gives him a quick hug and wishes him luck on his spelling exam. “Nice meeting y’all.” She calls out after Roger and Gerry.
They both turn to wave, their faces sporting the same goofy grins, and then they’re gone.
“Gerry is the cutest.” Daisy announces, turning toward me and wrapping both hands around her large cup of cocoa.
“He’s a good lad.”
“You and Roger, y’all have been friends for a long time?”
“Since we were kids. We grew up together.”
“Here in Edinburgh?”
“Close by. Just north of the city center in Pilton. Not the greatest area but Roger and I got on alright.”
“Oh. When did you move here?”
“After my parents passed. Uncle James and Aunt Jenni assumed guardianship for Aaron and me. After that, I went from being the poor son of a working-class man to a privileged student at the best boarding schools in the country.”
Daisy’s face falls at my words. “I’m sorry, Finn. I had no idea. I mean, about your parents. Or your lifestyle change. Or any of it really.” She frowns, a dimple forming between her eyebrows and I want to reach over and smooth it out with my thumb. Partly to feel the smooth silk of her skin and partly because I don’t like seeing her frown for any reason.
“It’s okay, it was a long time ago. They were killed by a drunk driver, which isn’t uncommon in the area I grew up in.”
She bites her lower lip and I wonder if she’s remembering her own mum’s passing. I learned over the Christmas holiday that she’d been a wee girl when her mum passed from cancer and at the time, it made me grateful that I had my parents for as long as I did.
“So, you ready for tomorrow?” I change the subject, growing uncomfortable with the serious turn of our conversation.
Daisy grins, her eyes brightening once more. “I think so. I mean, I’m really excited. I feel like I’ve been waiting to start working since I graduated in May.”
She graduated in May. With Sierra. Just eight months ago, Daisy was a college student. I swallow back the abhorrence that swells in my throat at the realization that I’ve been hung up on, dreaming about, a girl that in many ways, is still just a kid.
“It’s all starting to come together for you.” I manage to choke out. Give her advice, Anderson. You’re supposed to be a mentor, not a creeper. “Anderson PR and Marketing is a great company to kickstart your career in the marketing industry, regardless of if you stay in the UK or head back to the States.”
“Yeah. I think even if I go back home in the future, having the international experience will be a benefit.”
I swallow again, disappointment I want to deny clogging my throat at the thought of her returning home to Georgia. “It will be.” I agree, my voice tighter than I intend.
“Do you ever think of practicing law somewhere else?”
I weigh her question carefully before shaking my head. “No, not really. I love working with my family, which I’m sure sounds crazy since most people hate being in family businesses.”
“Not with a family like yours. Y’all are pretty awesome.”
“Yeah. You and your brothers are really close too.”
She nods, her brow furrowing, wistfulness rippling over her facial features.
“Homesick?” I guess, leaning forward and placing my fingers against the inside of her wrist. Her pulse beats under my fingertips, the rate accelerating slightly as her eyes flick to where my skin touches hers.
Looking up, her eyes shimmer with emotion, with a vulnerability that stirs my protective instincts. “It’s strange, right? I mean, it’s barely been a weekend.”
“It’s always hardest in the beginning. When I went away to boarding school, the first few weeks were the toughest. Once you make friends, the moments of loneliness won’t feel so stabby.”
She wrinkles her nose, a grin working its way across her mouth once more. “Stabby?”
“You know what I mean.” I squeeze her wrist lightly before removing my hand. “It will get easier. And if you ever need to talk, or have a moan, or a cry, you know I’m here, right?” I dip my head, catching her gaze so she can read the honesty in my eyes. She’s Sierra’s best friend, of course I’m going to look out for her.
“Thanks, Finn.” Her voice is quiet
, her tone sweet.
“Of course,” Checking the time on my watch, I realize it’s nearing dinnertime. Daisy fiddles with the handle of her mug and something in my chest squeezes, wanting to take away the pain she’s feeling. “What are you doing for dinner tonight?”
She smirks, her expression turning playful once more. “Finn, if you want to date me, just say so.” She jokes.
I snort, relieved that we’re back to joking, the seriousness fading into the background. “You’re going to be trouble, Kane.”
She grins, her eyes straying to her watch. “I didn’t even realize how late it is. I don’t know. I’ll probably heat up a can of soup or eat a loaf of sourdough or something.”
I wince, flagging down our server. “Yer bum’s oot the windae, Dais. Come with me. I’ll fix you up with some tidy scran.” I say, piling on a proper Scottish brogue.
Daisy rolls her eyes, her laughter wrapping around me like a spell. “I have no idea what you just said but that accent of yours just convinced me. I’m in.”
“Good.” I settle the bill quickly. We both stand and my fingers stray once more, settling in the small of her back as I guide her toward the exit.
“You’ve seriously never been skiing?” I ask Daisy over dessert, a shared plate of sticky toffee pudding.
“No, is that weird?” She digs her spoon in for a bite and groans. “This is seriously amazing.” Her eyes close as she savors the dessert and I stifle a chuckle.
I love that she eats proper meals and opts for dessert. Too many girls only order salads and water. Not Daisy, she has a healthy appetite and is turning out to be much more of a foodie than I pegged her for.
“I’m just surprised. I figured you would have had a college trip or something where you and your friends went skiing.”
She shakes her head, licking her spoon clean. “Nope, I’m much more of a beach girl. We always did trips to Tybee Island near Savannah instead. Do you ski?”
“Yes. And snowboard. We usually go to –”
“Switzerland.” She throws out, a smile forming on her full lips. “Yes, I remember now.” She jabs her spoon at me, laughter bubbling over. “When Sierra and I first lived together she asked me what my least favorite family activity was, and I said bowling. Hers was skiing in Switzerland.” Daisy rolls her eyes and I snort.
“I bet you thought Sisi was stuck-up.”
“I didn’t know what to make of her. She was unlike anyone I’d ever known before.”
“How did you guys get so close anyway? Most students don’t spend all four years of uni living with the person they were paired with as a first year.”
“That’s true.” Daisy picks up her mug of cappuccino and holds it between her dainty hands, her expression turning thoughtful. “It was around Halloween. Halloween at college in the US is a big deal, you know? The girls go all out, blending something super slutty with whatever is trending at the moment, and guys try to be all creative. It’s a lot of fun. Anyway, this girl living on the same floor as Sierra and me convinced us all that this bar was holding a costume party for Halloween the weekend before. So Sierra and I got all dressed up – we were slutty girl scouts – we even managed to snag a couple of cookie boxes and everything, and went to this bar and –” she pauses, laughter erupting from her parted lips, her eyes crinkling. She shakes her head, covering her mouth with her hand as she laughs harder.
“What happened?” I ask, curious. Leaning forward in my chair, I dip my head, catching her eyes but she shakes her head again, holding up a hand as her laughter rings out, garnering the attention of nearby tables.
“Oh God, it was so embarrassing.”
“What was?” I try again, laughing with her now, her enthusiasm contagious.
“We were the only two dressed up.”
“Oh no.”
“Apparently the girl got the dates mixed up and sent out an email, which of course, Sierra and I never checked.”
“Naturally.”
“So we were the only two people dressed in costumes at this bar. It was awful.”
“What’d you do?”
“Ah, took some shots and made a night of it. But I feel like that night really solidified our friendship and that was it. She’s been my bestie since.”
“You two were always getting into trouble together. Sierra used to drive Lachlan and Callum crazy with all her wild tales and night’s out and dates gone awry.”
“Oh yeah. I mean, she used to drive Carter crazy too. He was always worrying.”
“About her? What about you?”
Daisy takes a sip of her cappuccino. “Me too, of course. But I think more because I was always with Sierra. I didn’t do all the wild night’s out and random dating like she did. I was much more serious, too scared to get in trouble, or mess up my GPA.”
“I did notice you were at the top of your class.”
She blushes, waving a hand absently as she picks up her spoon and scoops up more pudding.
“So, you didn’t date a lot?” I ask, the question burning with curiosity. My heart thuds heavily in my chest as I wait for her reply, knowing that I’m blurring the lines between us once more.
She glances up, a soft smile playing across her lips. “I dated. I mean, I wasn’t a hermit or anything. I just wasn’t huge on the hook-up scene.”
I knew it. Daisy is too sweet and innocent to engage in casual sex. My chest feels strange, tight, as I process her words. Part of me is happy to hear her mutter them and the other part is…disappointed. Which is ridiculous because I shouldn’t feel anything, one way or the other.
“What about you?” she asks.
“What about me?”
“Do you date a lot?”
I chuckle, shaking my head. “I don’t really do the dating scene.”
Her mouth drops open. “At all?”
“The casual hook-up scene works better for me.”
“Figures.” She snorts, but a shadow flickers through her eyes. She blinks and it’s gone. Did I imagine it? Do I want it to be there?
“What’s that supposed to mean?” I lean forward again, lowering my voice.
Daisy bites her lower lip and my eyes zero in. “All the guys I find hot are always emotionally unavailable.” She says boldly, licking the back of her spoon.
“So, what you’re really saying is you think I’m hot?”
She laughs, placing her spoon back on the tablecloth. “Come on, Finn. No need to fish for compliments, you and I both know you’re hot.”
“But emotionally unavailable?” I press.
“We’ll see.”
I shake my head, taking a gulp of my own coffee before I keep this line of questioning, of flirting up. She has no idea how close to the truth she pegged me. I am emotionally unavailable. To all women. And especially to her.
Which is why once we wrap up dinner, I drop her off at her flat and refuse her invitation to come up. Instead, I press a chaste kiss to her cheek and say good-night.
Except I think of her for hours afterwards, wondering exactly what’s so good about a night that doesn’t end with Daisy underneath me.
5
Daisy
The first day of my new job comes fast and with it, a hint of snow. Pulling back my bedroom shades, I let the morning light flood my room as I twirl to my closet where my neatly pressed navy pencil skirt and white blouse hang. Choosing an upbeat playlist from Spotify, I dance between my bedroom and bathroom, getting ready for my first day of real life.
After spending last night joking with Finn, eating dinner and sharing a dish of sticky toffee pudding, my homesickness has subsided. I’m giddy with anticipation and excitement for today. In fact, I don’t even mind the frigid temperature and patches of thinly veiled black ice on my walk to the bus stop.
When I arrive at Anderson, I steel my spine and release a giant exhale. Remembering my new year’s resolution, I enter the edgy office building, an old, converted warehouse that holds Anderson Marketing and Public Relations in addition to two
other companies. The delicious aroma of freshly ground coffee beans from the coffee bar sitting in the corner surrounds me and I relax slightly, smiling my good morning to a woman who walks past me.
Walking briskly to the elevator before I allow myself to stop for a giant coffee and pastry, I step inside, and press the button for the third floor. The doors are nearly closed when an arm juts through, forcing them to open again. A friendly face with a slightly crooked nose, amused eyebrows, and a genuine grin greets me.
“Sorry, don’t want to be late on day one. Are ye new here, too?” The guy steps into the elevator, dressed in a hipster-meets-European style that includes tighter than necessary hunter green corduroys, a fitted V-neck T-shirt, and a tailored blazer complete with a pocket square. His shoes are shiny and polished with double buckles. A pea coat is slung over his arm and a thick scarf still wound tightly around his neck. I have no idea who he is, but already I like him.
“Yes. I’m here for Anderson’s orientation. I’m Daisy Kane.” I stick a hand out and he shakes it, leaning against the elevator wall for our quick ride up three floors.
“Me too. Cameron Davis. Glad to meet ye.” He smiles at me warmly. “Where in the States are ye from?”
“Is it that obvious?” I laugh, knowing my slight southern drawl is a dead giveaway.
He shrugs.
“Georgia.”
“Nice. I’ve been to Florida a time or two. This must be some climate shock for yer system.” The elevator dings and the doors slide open, offering a peak of Anderson’s creative space and the hustle of the advertising world.
The floors are sleek and shiny, the reception desk elevated and uncluttered, the cubicles stretching behind to the glass corner offices and conference rooms filled with moving bodies, chattering voices, and general bustle. It seems the entire staff is ready to dive back into work now that it’s the New Year.
“Here we are,” Cameron comments under his breath.
“Good morning and welcome to Anderson.” A middle-aged woman, I’d guess in her forties, with a stylish bob and red glasses perched on the edge of her nose, steps forward from behind the receptionist’s desk and clasps her hands. “Are you here for orientation?”
