yours sincerely, daisy. - taylor swift

27

Weeks passed, and Daisy was invited to a Spotify streaming party hosted by her singer friend, Eva Lawrence. Eva was someone Daisy had known for years—a lively, talented musician with a flair for throwing the best gatherings. When the invite came, Daisy hesitated at first. She wasn't much for social events lately, especially since cutting things off with Lena and avoiding Taylor's messages. But Eva had insisted, and Daisy knew a night out might help clear her head.

When she arrived at the party, the room was buzzing with excitement, the air filled with laughter, chatter, and the soft hum of music playing in the background. Eva greeted her with a warm hug, pulling her into the lively atmosphere. It wasn't long before the focus shifted to the music as people began discussing the next album on the queue.

"Guess what's next?" Eva grinned, a playful gleam in her eyes as she addressed the room. "Reputation by Taylor Swift."

Daisy's heart sank, her smile faltering for a second before she quickly recovered. Of course, it had to be that album. As the first few notes of ...Ready For It? filled the room, Daisy glanced around, her nerves prickling. And then, as if on cue, she spotted Taylor.

Taylor stood across the room, talking to a small group, her presence magnetic as always. She looked effortlessly chic, her blonde hair cascading down her shoulders, and though she seemed engaged in conversation, her eyes flicked toward Daisy, catching her off guard. Their gazes met, brief but intense, like an unspoken connection still lingered between them. Daisy quickly looked away, focusing on Eva, who was talking about the album.

But as the evening wore on, Daisy couldn't ignore the tension. Every time she glanced in Taylor's direction, she found Taylor already looking at her. The songs kept playing, the lyrics swirling around her, each one a reminder of the complicated mess that still tied them together.

Then Dress began to play, the room filling with its sultry melody, and Daisy could feel the weight of the lyrics pressing in on her. She chanced another glance at Taylor, who was now standing closer, the tension between them undeniable. Taylor's expression was unreadable, but Daisy could see the storm in her eyes, and for a brief moment, it felt like the song was their private confession, playing for everyone but meant only for them.

As the night drew to a close and the crowd began to thin, Daisy finally made her way toward the door, ready to escape the weight of the evening. But as she reached the hallway, she turned a corner and bumped right into Taylor.

"Sorry," Taylor muttered, catching her arm instinctively before letting go. They both stood there for a moment, the air between them thick with unsaid words.

Daisy cleared her throat, trying to compose herself. "I've listened to the album," she said, her voice steady, though her heart raced. "Good songs... really good. You must really like Joe."

Taylor's expression shifted, something flickering in her eyes—guilt, or maybe something more complicated. She took a step closer, her voice low when she finally spoke. "They're not all about him."

Daisy blinked, caught off guard by the admission. "What do you mean?"

Taylor looked away for a moment, as if gathering her thoughts, then her gaze locked back onto Daisy's. "Some of those songs... they're not about Joe. You know that." Her voice was soft, vulnerable in a way Daisy hadn't heard in a long time.

Daisy's chest tightened, the weight of Taylor's words sinking in. Of course, she knew. She had felt it in the music, in the way the lyrics had cut into her. But hearing Taylor admit it made everything sharper, more real. "Then who are they about, Taylor?" Daisy asked, her voice barely a whisper, though she already knew the answer.

Taylor hesitated for a moment, her eyes flicking down before meeting Daisy's again, filled with an intensity that made Daisy's breath hitch. "You."

The single word hung between them, heavy with meaning. Daisy's heart raced, her emotions a whirlwind of confusion, anger, and something else—something she wasn't ready to name.

"You don't get to do this, Taylor," Daisy said, her voice cracking slightly. "You don't get to put me in your songs and then—" She stopped, unable to finish the thought.

"I know," Taylor whispered, taking another step closer, her gaze locked on Daisy's. "But I couldn't help it. I couldn't pretend that you weren't a part of me, even if I tried."

Daisy looked away, feeling the walls she'd built around herself start to crumble under the weight of Taylor's words. It wasn't supposed to be this hard, and yet, here they were, standing in the aftermath of everything they had tried to bury. The emotions they had hidden were out in the open now, and there was no turning back.

"I didn't ask to be in your songs, Taylor," Daisy said, her voice barely above a whisper, her emotions raw. "I just wanted... I just wanted us to figure things out."

Taylor's expression softened, a flicker of regret crossing her face. "I know, Daisy. I'm sorry." Her voice was quiet, full of remorse, and for a moment, the vulnerability between them was palpable, like an open wound.

Daisy's breath was shallow, her mind racing as she struggled to process everything that had just been laid bare. Standing so close to Taylor after all these weeks—after everything—felt surreal, like the ground beneath her was shifting, uncertain. She hadn't expected this moment. Not here. Not tonight.

She glanced at Taylor again, searching her face for any sign that this was different from before. That maybe, just maybe, Taylor was ready to be honest—not just in her music, but with herself. With Daisy.

Taylor's eyes were full of regret, her mouth slightly parted as if she wanted to say more, but couldn't quite find the words. That same tension that had haunted their relationship—the fear, the yearning, the constant push and pull—hung heavy in the air between them. And for the first time in a long time, Daisy felt torn, caught between the past and the future.

"You say you're sorry," Daisy finally said, her voice tight, "but what does that even mean? What do you expect me to do with that? You write songs about me, you send me messages, but when it comes to actually choosing me, you—" She cut herself off, her throat tightening. "You don't."

Taylor looked down, her fingers brushing against her arm as if she were trying to hold herself together. "I know I've messed things up," she said quietly. "I've been selfish. I didn't know how to handle any of it—being in the spotlight, being with Joe, and... feeling the way I do about you."

Daisy's heart clenched. "And how do you feel about me, Taylor?"

Taylor's gaze lifted, her eyes locking with Daisy's. "I love you, Daisy. I've always loved you." Her voice cracked, full of vulnerability, and Daisy could see the raw truth in her eyes. "But I've been so scared. Scared of what it would mean if I came out, scared of what the world would say, scared of losing everything I've worked for."

Daisy felt a surge of anger mixed with heartbreak. "And that's the difference between us, Taylor. You're afraid of losing everything. I've already lost you."

The words seemed to hit Taylor hard, her face crumpling slightly. "I never wanted to hurt you."

"Maybe not," Daisy replied, her voice quieter now. "But you did. You've been hurting me for months."

Taylor took a tentative step closer, her eyes pleading. "I don't want to lose you, Daisy. I've been trying to figure out how to fix this, how to be with you without destroying everything else in my life, but I don't know how."

Daisy took a deep breath, her hands trembling slightly. "You can't keep dragging me into your mess, Taylor. I can't be your secret anymore. I deserve more than that. I deserve someone who's not afraid to be with me."

Taylor's face fell, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. "I know you do. And I want to be that person for you... but I'm scared."