There's a third guy?
≈ Daisy ≈
It finally clicks. Daisy grins as she presses her phone to her ear, “Oh, Michael, it's been a while.”
“Took you quite sometime before you remembered me," he teases, his deep voice resonating within her ears in a soft soothing manner that makes her troubles seem like a distant memory.
“I'm sorry. Things have just been hectic," she says, rubbing her temples to ease the tense muscles.
“I'm sorry for not calling sooner.”
“It's okay. How have you been?”
“I've been good. Still enjoying my cappuccino. How about you?
She laughs, “Camomile is my eternal companion. So, what made you think of me today, handsome?”
He huffs out a breath and Daisy could tell he's smiling bashfully and rubbing the back of his neck like he always does whenever she compliments him. “Just thought I'd check in. You sounded a bit off earlier. Everything okay?”
She smiles lightly, impressed and touched that he notices. “Long story. Let's just say I've stumbled into a rather complicated situation.”
“Complicated? That doesn't sound like you. You're usually the one who has everything under control.”
A brief surprised chuckle escapes her lips as she switches her phone to the other ear to comfortably lean to the side in the car. "You talk as if you've known me for years." It certainly feels that way too. "Well, destiny has a funny way of messing up plans.”
“Uh oh. Ominous words. Wanna talk about it?”
She hesitates, thinking about it for a split second before, she shrugs. “I might as well spill. Two guys are chasing after me. One claims I'm his and the other mostly just wants to get his hands into my pants but with how...electric it feels with them both, I'm torn on who I should be with. I had a dream about them and…it's all messy now but…yeah, maybe it was a bad idea telling you. Sorry for disturbing you-”
“Hey, it's okay. I don't mind," he reassures her. "Two guys huh? Sounds stressful."
She sighs. “Tell me about it. One of them is arrogant, another is too intense, and the third-”
“Third?" She hears the shock in his voice. "There's a third guy?"
“Yep..”
"Damn," he let out after a moment of silence. "Sounds like quite the predicament. So which one of them is your cup of tea?” he asks, his tone turning playful.
She snorts, glad he is taking it well and making jokes rather than making her feel like a freak show which she definitely feels like right now. “Nice try, Michael. But these guys are not my type."
"Really? I seem to remember someone mentioning the experience with them being, what's the word?" He trails off, pretending to think before snapping his fingers, "electric."
Daisy rolls her eyes, unable to stop a broad smile from lighting up her face. "I like my relationships drama-free.”
“Drama can be exciting, though. Keeps life interesting.”
She smirks, “You're talking like you know something I don't.”
He casually says, “Just speaking from experience. Sometimes what seems complicated has a way of working out.”
Raising an eyebrow, she teases, “who sounds ominous now?"
He grins, “I'm just saying, don't dismiss possibilities too quickly.”
She laughs, “Okay, cappuccino mystic. I'll keep that in mind. Thanks for the cryptic advice.”
“Anytime, Daisy. Enjoy your tea troubles, and remember, coffee has its own kind of magic.”
She laughs, “Let's catch up properly sometime. I'll fill you in on the boy drama then.”
“I'll be looking forward to it. Take care, Daisy.”
“You too.”
As Daisy steps out of the car, she thanks the driver and pays the fare. The cool evening breeze brushes against her face as she walks along the sidewalk. The bustling sounds of the town surround her, but her thoughts linger on Micheal. She is still smiling from their earlier conversation. It's amazing how easily the man could lift her mood-
"Daisy!"
She looks up, her eyes scanning the familiar streets for the voice until she sights her, an old friend waving excitedly at her from the cafe across the street. A warm smile spreads across Daisy's face as she rushes to greet her unexpected acquaintance with a hug.
"Oh my God, Ani! How long has it been? How have you been? How's your sister and the kids?" She asks all in one breath. Last she heard, her elder sister had found her mate and was happily married with kids now.
"Okay, superstar, pace yourself. One question at a time," her friend, Anika, smiles, rubbing her arms to calm her down.
"Sorry. I'm just so happy to see you."
"Same. I'm fine and so is everyone else. Raena mentioned you were going to be in town tonight. You're in luck," she says, linking their arms together as they start walking down the long street, "I'm heading her way now."
Dread fills Daisy's stomach when she hears that. "For the council meeting?"
Anika snickers at the constipated look on her face. "Relax. They finished not too long ago."
"Oh thank God," she let out in pure relief. As much as she misses the pack, this town and the people, she is not prepared to run into any authority figure she once knew. Why? It's certainly not because she challenged them way too often, they absolutely despised her.
The walk to Raena's modest home is quite short. Nostalgia fills Daisy's heart as she inhales the fresh gardenias in the woman's front garden. The woman has always loved flowers. She had even planted daisies behind her house as a joke a week after they met years ago.
Anika chews on her bottom lip as they climb up the stairs, approaching the front door. Before they could enter, she blocks her friend's path.
Daisy blinks, flabbergasted by her abrupt actions. "What's wrong?" From the look on her face, she could tell the girl had something to say.
Anika's mouth constantly opens and closes, a frustrated sigh escaping her lips as though she didn't know how to put her thoughts into words.
Despite the fact that it might be a false alarm, Daisy finds herself becoming worried. "Ani, what is it?"
"It... It's Raena."
Her frown deepens. "What about Raena?"
"She... she's..." Anika trails off, running a stressful hand through her hair as Daisy's eyes widen, her bag slipping from her hands with a loud thud.
"Is she dead?!"
"What? No!" Her friend, exclaims, giving her an incredulous look. "The hell? Why would you think that?"
"You were hesitating too much. If she's not dead, then what's wrong with her?"
"She's sick."
Daisy blinks, sighing in relief. "Thank God."
Anika cocks her head back, shocked. "Why is that a good thing?'
"Have you met that woman? She's stubborn as a mule. No sickness can weigh her down," she chuckles and the girl in front of her winces.
"Yeah, well, you're in for a real surprise then," the girl grumbles, pushing open the door and they step inside.
Daisy smiles. Everything is just as she remembers it. The old record player still sits by the book shelves filled with vinyl records both new and old. Granny Helga's hand knitted rug and blankets are still draped about and the gentle scent of cinnamon and gingerbread lingers in the air. The only thing out of place are the several gift baskets lining the rug in the living room up to the dining area. Her eyes skim over the 'get well soon' cards on them until they land on a form laying on the couch.
Raena, though visibly weakened, greets Daisy with a warm smile. "Well, well, well. Look what the cat dragged in," she quirks, her voice a weak whisper as though simply talking is taking up quite the energy from her.
"Well I'll be damned. Raena Wilson using inside voice? Is the world coming to an end?" Daisy smirks, dragging a chair to sit beside her as she scoffs which quickly turned into a coughing fit.
"Here," Anika places a bottle of water in Daisy's hands. "I'll go get her tea ready."
"Like I'll drink that accursed concussion," Raena whizzes, trying to talk over the cough.
Anika ignores the stubborn wench and takes off her coat, grumbling as she makes her way to the kitchen, leaving them alone.
Daisy gently feeds the woman the water, her concern growing as she notices the frailty in Raena's appearance when she raises her torso from under the blankets to sip the water. The woman is only in her mid forties but she looks far older than her age now. Her eyes are flickering from her natural green to neon blue every five seconds like a flashing neon sign. Whatever sickness this is, it's seriously having an impact on her general well-being.
"I'm convinced that girl is trying to kill me with her concoctions," Raena blurts out as soon as she pulls her mouth from the water bottle, leaning back to lay down once more with a pained sigh. "She lacks the finesse and delicate hands needed to make soothing tea. Her sister was way better at this than she ever will be. I should have her license revoked as pack doctor."
"Fuck you, grandma! I'm the only one who can deal with your ungrateful ass and you know it! You drove Zino away with that harsh tongue of yours!" Anika yells from the kitchen and Raena scoffs.