Total pages in book: 77
Estimated words: 72647 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 363(@200wpm)___ 291(@250wpm)___ 242(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 72647 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 363(@200wpm)___ 291(@250wpm)___ 242(@300wpm)
She was sure her da was doing something ruthless. Her father was incredibly smart, and he could handle things when the going got rough. She’d been thinking about this all afternoon. “He’ll probably figure out a way to start a war between cartels so the guy who wants me dead gets killed in prison. It’s what I’d do.”
Nate huffed, but he leaned over and kissed her forehead. “Now I understand what your mum meant. You think a lot like him.”
Daisy pointed to the second cup. “Do you want me to pour you one?”
He shook his head. “Can’t. I’m hopping on a call with my boss. I’m supposed to report in. It shouldn’t take too long. Then I’ll check on Mum and come back and hang out with you. Besides, you have other company.” He nodded as her mother stepped outside. “Avery, you should try the lemonade. The tea is… Well, it’s for my proper Irish girl.”
“Oh, then I’ll definitely have some of that. It’s been a day.” Her mother sank down on the sofa opposite her. “Thanks for this, Nathan.”
Nate tipped his head and strode for the door. “Anything for the O’Donnell ladies. I’ll see you in a little while, love. Listen to your mum.”
So this was going to be a lecture. She took a sip of the “tea” that was really whiskey. And then another. “This is so much better than what Da used to keep.”
Her mother smiled wryly. “Well, your uncle has far more elevated tastes than your father.” She poured herself a cup and took a sip. “I’m afraid in so many ways your father is still the poor Irish kid who had to find a way to put food in his brother’s mouth when his mum was off doing her important work.”
“You mean trying to drive the English out of Belfast?” She knew her family history.
“That’s what I mean.” Her mother took one of the sandwiches. “Your father had a rough life. Unlike me. Or you. I need for you to think about that while he’s gone and think about forgiving him for acting like an ass. He loves you.”
Daisy wasn’t sure. “He loves the idea of me.”
Her mother’s head shook. “No. He loves you. He loves the Daisy O’Donnell who’s always been a walking ball of chaos. And who’s also always been kind and loyal to her friends. Who’s been a good daughter, despite the experiments with teenaged drinking.”
“Aidan always covered for me,” Daisy admitted. “And he would mostly be there. He and Tris would hang out with us, but we knew what they were really doing. Supervising.”
“Yes, and he never said a word to me or your da. So you should think about forgiving him, too.”
“I already did, though it was mean. He came very close to ruining my positive self-image. I thought maybe I was losing my mojo or I wasn’t attractive to Doms, which was sad because I like a top.”
Her mother took a long swig. “See, I think this is what your father has been avoiding.”
“Knowing I like sex?”
“Knowing how much like him you are,” her mother pointed out.
“Well, I would say I would hope I’m like you, too. I know all my friends get the icks when their parents get affectionate, but you should be having great sex. I want to have great sex when I’m your age. You and Da love each other. That love is physical, too.”
“My darling, I am talking about who your father was before he met me,” her mother said.
Daisy suddenly wasn’t sure she was ready for this conversation. “He was Da. Just without you. So I bet he was sad. A little lonely.”
“Oh, loneliness was not his problem, child.” Her mother sighed like she was remembering something.
Daisy was now certain she didn’t want to know. And yet she asked the question. “What do you mean? Like he had friends?”
A wry smile crossed her mother’s face. “My darling, he was friends with every waitress in the hot wings business. I’m not sure why hot wings in particular, but it was his thing. And I mean it. I’m pretty sure it was all of them. Like he was a rite of passage.”
“My daddy was a ho?” Her brain couldn’t grasp the concept. Her father was attractive, of course. But he…he was Da.
Her mother laughed. “I don’t think we’re supposed to use that word.”
Daisy waved her off. “We all have a phase. I mean now we do. I didn’t think like you did.”
Her mom’s head shook. “Oh, I didn’t. I had a teen pregnancy phase and then a mourning phase and then I was in the hospital for a long time. Then I met your dad, who changed everything for me. But he did have a phase. A very long and storied one sweeping across two continents. I know you think you’re a bad girl, Dais, but you got nothing on your da. And guess what—he turned out fine. Well, until today.”