The Storm

Chapter 6

Daisy

I'm convinced Davis is a day drinker. 

When he surprised me and Archer the other day, I was honestly thinking he came home early from work to fire me. But apparently, he listened to what I told him about Archer. Since that day he's started coming home at reasonable hours and spending time with him. Not every night but at least three nights a week. He started giving Archer a bath on the nights he was home and reading him stories before bed. I sit in my room and listen to him read to Archer. I had a feeling there was a good dad in there somewhere. He just needed a little push. Grief can definitely consume you if you let it. 

The first month I didn't take my weekends off. Now I get to go out on Saturday and Sunday. I run errands for myself, go visit my family and friends. 

I'm sprawled across Lylah's bed trying to decide which one of her nail polishes I'm going to steal before I leave. Lylah is trying to convince me to go to dinner with her and James.  Nothing I like better than being a third wheel. Still, I'm hungry and my only other option is to go home and stare at Davis.

Which isn't a terrible thing; it's a frustrating one. 

I couldn't tell anyone with reasonable certainty why I decided to squirt him with the hose. He was apologizing for being a bit of an asshole the day before but I barely heard a word he said. Davis is gorgeous no matter which way you look at him, but I never thought of him as approachable in a dating kind of way. The death of his wife helped shape my initial impression of him. But that day, he looked different to me somehow. I think it's because he looked genuinely sincere. He didn't look at me as someone he employed to care for his son. He addressed me like I was his equal and someone he had wronged. Apologies come hard to some people and I think Davis is one of them. 

But I wasn't thinking of any of that when he was standing there, sweating his ass off, trying to apologize to me. I thought I'd like to see him wet. I was gambling on the fact that it would probably take him off guard and it would definitely make Archer laugh. I was right. Davis chasing me around the yard, tossing me over his shoulder like I was a doll. 

But when he was over me, staring at my mouth, I felt something wild stir inside me. I wanted him to kiss me. I wanted to feel his mouth open against mine, his tongue sliding in to taste me. Archer saved us both from ourselves.

I think. I'm not sure. 

He didn't acknowledge what passed between us or comment on it in any way. We fell into a different routine and that was that. Perhaps it was just a passing fancy for him. I would bet dollars to donuts he hasn't had sex since his wife died. He is probably just curious about other women and I happen to be in his path. I have no doubt that when he puts his mind to dating again, there will be no shortage of women ready, willing, and able to help him 'get back on the horse.'

I sigh. What a ride that would be. 

"So," Lylah says, snapping me back to reality, "how is Davis?" We had been talking about mundane stuff. But of all my siblings, Lylah is the best at guessing what's going on in my head. 

"He's doing better with Archer. He comes home early most nights. It's fine. He's fine," I explain lamely. 

"And?" she prods, staring at me. 

"And what?" I say evasively then start actively looking for a nail polish to steal.

"You have a crush on him, don't you?" Lylah says accusingly. 

"No, no, I don't," I lie. My sister doesn't fall for any of my bullshit.

"You know I've met him right? I went with Gayle to visit Thomas at work and he introduced us. He's gorgeous," she tells me.