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She opens her eyes hours later and it is dark, and Johnny is sitting at the foot of the couch holding something.
She doesn't want to move because she doesn't want him to know she's awake, but Hoax repositions himself and the next thing she knows, they're making eye contact.
"Hey J, how was work?"
She realizes he is fiddling with a flyer.
"D'you get my note?"
He runs the edges of the paper along her ankle in a sawing motion. Daisy tucks her feet in and slides up on the couch to sit.
"Yeah this morning, I'm sorry I didn't stop by. I slept longer than I meant to."
He sets the flyer on the cushion separating them. The print is large and bold, reading 'SPRING BASH, FOOD AND DANCING AT WILE'S LOUNGE, 18+"
"Figured you would want to go, I think Caroline and them will be there."
Daisy wondered if Harry would be there, too. He didn't seem like the extroverted type, but she didn't know him well enough to make that judgement.
What she did know, though, was that she was in dire need of a proper shower and change of clothes. She felt guilty for lying on the couch in her better-off jeans and soiled shirt. This didn't bother Johnny, though, because he too was sitting on the couch in dirty work clothes.
"Are you going?"
He laughs at this and reaches for a glass bottle on the coffee table, "you kiddin'? My partying days are over. I'm gonna head to bed early tonight. Can I trust you'll be home before curfew?" He takes a swig of the beer like it's water, the condensed droplets smudging dirt stains onto the neck of the bottle.
"Yes. You won't have to worry about me hopping into sub zero water again. Get some rest and a shower."
If she didn't remind him, he would've simply changed, wiped his face with a rag, and went to bed. Johnny was gross.
"10-4 little lady. Harry left some things on the porch for you, by the way."
Upon saying this, Johnny sets a pair of boots beside her and a small pair of gloves; the same ones she used earlier today. The boots are worn but appear to be her size, with maybe a little extra wiggle room for comfort. She was appreciative yet wary.
"He spoke highly of you, would like for you to help him in the garden a little while longer. This is a pretty self sufficient town, everyone earns their keep somehow and this will be your way of doing that. That okay with you?"
