Chloe toed off her flats and wiggled her toes. If she rolled up her chinos, she could walk along the shallow portions of Sugar Creek—which was more like a river. That would certainly cool her off and help to digest the food she’d wolfed down.
She turned to ask Daisy if she’d like to take a walk and noticed she’d fallen asleep. Not surprising considering the heat and how much they’d eaten. Plus Daisy had polished off two plastic tumblers of wine.
Knowing she had to drive them back in the monster Caddy, Chloe had stuck to water. Smiling to herself, she pushed up onto her elbows, absorbing the woodland surroundings and enjoying the silence. Daisy had talked all through lunch, asking Chloe about her life in NYC. She’d been especially keen to learn about Chloe’s social activities.
Have you been to the top of the Empire State Building? Ever danced the night away in one of those famous discos? Taken a hansom cab ride through Central Park? Indulged in a speedboat ride on the Hudson River? At night?
Chloe had done all of those things, except the nocturnal speed demon ride on the Hudson. Given her moderate swimming skills and a terrifying childhood incident, she’d never been fond of water sports. To which Daisy had said, If you live life ruled by your fears, you’re not really living.
Chloe had never considered herself cautious. If she wanted something, she went for it. Mostly. Although, if she was honest, these past two years she’d been so focused on “growing up,” committing to a relationship and domestic tranquility, in addition to studying her butt off at the Culinary Arts Institute, she had, sort of, temporarily (she hoped) forgotten how to have fun.
“So what’d you put in my potato salad?” Daisy asked. “Had more zing than usual.”
Chloe started. “I thought you were napping.”
“Naps are for babies and old people.” She sat up and stretched her arms over her head, yawned. “Thought I tasted dill.”
“Fresh dill.”
“And?”
“Ground cumin and chopped red onions,” Chloe said. “Normally I would’ve added chipotle peppers, but you didn’t have any in the fridge and besides, it might have been too spicy for you.”
“Never know unless you try. Next time add the peppers.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
The older woman slid her sunglasses to the end of her nose and nailed Chloe with narrowed eyes. “If this, us, is going to work, you have to call me Daisy. I only hired you to get my grandchildren off my back. I’d prefer to do my own cooking and driving. I’m not an invalid, but I am…” She looked away as if embarrassed.
“Lonely?” Chloe asked while snagging her water bottle.
Daisy snorted. “With a big family like mine? Someone’s always popping over or inviting me to some or another shindig. I’ve got commitments and engagements coming out of my skinny patooty. What I yearn for is adventure. I want to make the most of what time I’ve got left. I want a fuck buddy.”
Chloe choked on a mouthful of water.
“Someone who’ll say ‘screw you’ to convention. Someone who’s not afraid to take chances and embrace opportunities. After talking to Monica, I just knew you were the one. Passionate. Fearless. Was I wrong?”
Daisy was referring to the old Chloe Madison, pre-Ryan Levine. She felt a stab of regret, nostalgia, something. “I’m not sure I’d call myself fearless, but I’ve taken a lot of chances in my life. Followed my heart. My passions.”
“Exciting.”
“Risky.”
“But exciting.”
Again she felt conflicted between her old life and the life she’d created with Ryan. She hadn’t hated the person she’d become because of him, but she’d definitely felt restless. She’d waited her whole life for something to click, to feel like, This is who I am and what I’m meant to do. This is the life I was meant for.
She was still waiting for that click.
“About your FB reference.” It’s not like Chloe had never said the f word, but she couldn’t
She turned to ask Daisy if she’d like to take a walk and noticed she’d fallen asleep. Not surprising considering the heat and how much they’d eaten. Plus Daisy had polished off two plastic tumblers of wine.
Knowing she had to drive them back in the monster Caddy, Chloe had stuck to water. Smiling to herself, she pushed up onto her elbows, absorbing the woodland surroundings and enjoying the silence. Daisy had talked all through lunch, asking Chloe about her life in NYC. She’d been especially keen to learn about Chloe’s social activities.
Have you been to the top of the Empire State Building? Ever danced the night away in one of those famous discos? Taken a hansom cab ride through Central Park? Indulged in a speedboat ride on the Hudson River? At night?
Chloe had done all of those things, except the nocturnal speed demon ride on the Hudson. Given her moderate swimming skills and a terrifying childhood incident, she’d never been fond of water sports. To which Daisy had said, If you live life ruled by your fears, you’re not really living.
Chloe had never considered herself cautious. If she wanted something, she went for it. Mostly. Although, if she was honest, these past two years she’d been so focused on “growing up,” committing to a relationship and domestic tranquility, in addition to studying her butt off at the Culinary Arts Institute, she had, sort of, temporarily (she hoped) forgotten how to have fun.
“So what’d you put in my potato salad?” Daisy asked. “Had more zing than usual.”
Chloe started. “I thought you were napping.”
“Naps are for babies and old people.” She sat up and stretched her arms over her head, yawned. “Thought I tasted dill.”
“Fresh dill.”
“And?”
“Ground cumin and chopped red onions,” Chloe said. “Normally I would’ve added chipotle peppers, but you didn’t have any in the fridge and besides, it might have been too spicy for you.”
“Never know unless you try. Next time add the peppers.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
The older woman slid her sunglasses to the end of her nose and nailed Chloe with narrowed eyes. “If this, us, is going to work, you have to call me Daisy. I only hired you to get my grandchildren off my back. I’d prefer to do my own cooking and driving. I’m not an invalid, but I am…” She looked away as if embarrassed.
“Lonely?” Chloe asked while snagging her water bottle.
Daisy snorted. “With a big family like mine? Someone’s always popping over or inviting me to some or another shindig. I’ve got commitments and engagements coming out of my skinny patooty. What I yearn for is adventure. I want to make the most of what time I’ve got left. I want a fuck buddy.”
Chloe choked on a mouthful of water.
“Someone who’ll say ‘screw you’ to convention. Someone who’s not afraid to take chances and embrace opportunities. After talking to Monica, I just knew you were the one. Passionate. Fearless. Was I wrong?”
Daisy was referring to the old Chloe Madison, pre-Ryan Levine. She felt a stab of regret, nostalgia, something. “I’m not sure I’d call myself fearless, but I’ve taken a lot of chances in my life. Followed my heart. My passions.”
“Exciting.”
“Risky.”
“But exciting.”
Again she felt conflicted between her old life and the life she’d created with Ryan. She hadn’t hated the person she’d become because of him, but she’d definitely felt restless. She’d waited her whole life for something to click, to feel like, This is who I am and what I’m meant to do. This is the life I was meant for.
She was still waiting for that click.
“About your FB reference.” It’s not like Chloe had never said the f word, but she couldn’t
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