Plan B (Best Laid Plans #2)(28)

"Mad detective work. I'm visiting a friend."

"A friend? What friend?"

God, has my sister always been this nosey or is she just deflecting? I stuff a forkful of lasagna into my mouth and mumble something about frenemies, because really, I don't know how to classify Kyle. We haven't known each other long enough to be friends. He's not my boyfriend, but he might be my fiancé. I'm not certain if he's friend or foe, not really.

"A frenemy with benefits?" Violet presses.

I wish. He hasn't touched me since he fucked me over his bathroom counter on Saturday night.

"It's complicated," I mutter. "I'll tell you about it later when it makes more sense."

"So you're hate-fucking some guy all week while I do your job? Is that what's happening here?"

"You're not exactly suffering, Vi," I snap. "Now why don't you tell me about Mr. Tall, Dark and British and stop harassing me?"

"Fine." She sighs into the phone as if I'm really inconveniencing her when she's the one who called me—specifically to talk about the guy. "He's nice," she finally says.

"He's nice?" I repeat. "That's why you're calling me? Because he's nice?" I was hoping she was going to tell me something filthy or ask for sex tips. "Weren't you just bragging to me about how great the sex is?"

"I was not bragging!"

"You so were and honestly, I was proud of you."

"Oh. Well, thank you. I think."

"You're welcome. So what's the problem? Is he boring?" Kyle's not boring. He's a little quiet, but it turns out that I've got a thing for the strong silent type.

"No, he's not boring," she insists. "Not at all. He makes me laugh."

"Are you bipolar or something? Is that hereditary? I can't deal with this right now." I drop the plate onto the countertop so I can focus on Violet's crazy talk. Also, I need my hands free to think. I was sorta hoping my kid would take after her because raising Violet was a piece of cake. I know this because I've overheard our mother say it a time or twelve. But now I'm concerned that she's nuts and has bad taste in men. "So he's hot, he's nice, and he makes you laugh. Is he dumb? Is that the problem? Sometimes the pretty ones aren't the brightest. I know it's not politically correct to say so, but it is what it is. But it's just a week, it's not like you're having his baby, so just let it go and have fun."

Kyle is smart. Really smart. I'm hoping the baby inherits that from him because honestly being smart never hurt anyone. Also it's sorta hot. Last night he had his head buried in his laptop and I asked him what he was working on. He was studying a report on the trade tariffs with China, which is just as boring as it sounds but I made him tell me about it anyway just to hear him talk.

"I like him," Violet blurts. "Okay? The problem is I like him."

"Ohhhh," I say slowly, because why on earth is that a problem? My sister really needs to lighten the fuck up. "Are you worried you're going to fall in love with him and have dumb children?" I suppose that is a real concern. Statistically it's a miracle my baby's daddy isn't an idiot, because I dated a lot of idiots before the dick diet.

"Daisy, he's not dumb. Can you focus, please? He's not dumb and we're not having children."

"You never know. Shit happens." Probably not to Violet though. Good twin, remember?

"Focus," she repeats.

"Okay, okay. So what exactly is the problem? He's hot. Good in bed. Smart. Nice. Makes you laugh and you like him. This is you living your best life, Violet. Embrace it."

"He asked me to have dinner with him."

Holy crap. So did my baby daddy and possible fiancé! We are so twinning right now. I wish I could tell her, because she loves it when we twin, but now is not the time. So instead I say, "Yeah, that sounds like a huge problem. Wear my navy dress. The one with the lace hem. I know I packed it."

"It's just that he was supposed to be a one-night stand, not make me fall for him."

"Take it from me, a lot of things happen that aren't supposed to."

"Was that meant to be reassuring?"

"Violet." I soften my tone because I need her to take me seriously. “None of this is a problem, trust me. This is the fun stuff. Go to dinner. Have fun. Screw his brains out. You'll figure the rest out later. Or he'll annoy the shit out of you before the week is over and the rest won't matter."

"Sage advice."

"It really is. And remember, sometimes the best things in life are unplanned."

"Like twins," she agrees. "I love you, Daisy. You're my cupcake."

"Love you too, sprinkles. Have fun!"

When we hang up I say a silent prayer that this British guy is worthy of Violet. Then I say another that she'll forgive me for keeping this baby a secret.





12





Daisy





Kyle picks me up at six on the dot. When we're in the car he hands me a box. A ring box. No words, just the box. Swear to God, it was just sitting in a cup holder in the console between us when he picked it up and handed it to me like he was passing me a stick of gum.