Page 108 of Unsuitable

“I’m glad for you, Daisy.”

“Thanks.” I swallow. “How was your weekend?” I ask, looking away.

“It was okay.”

He offers nothing more. I could ask to know more about what he did, but I don’t.

My mind is feeling all jumbled up from being here with him.

I had a great weekend. I spent all of Saturday with Jesse. And I spent Sunday with Cece. We went shopping and caught a film at the cinema.

I didn’t allow myself to think about Kas…or Haley. But, now, sitting here with him, it’s all I can think about.

I’m filled with empathy and compassion for this man sitting beside me. All the anger and resentment I felt last week are now gone.

But I still feel confused and guilty over what I know. I feel like I’ve somehow betrayed him with my curiosity and snooping into his life.

We don’t talk for the rest of the short ride to the estate.

He parks outside the house.

“Thanks for the ride.” I take off my seat belt and let myself out of the car.

I walk toward the front door. Kas is behind me.

Inside the house, I take my shoes off and hang my coat in the closet.

When I turn around, Kas is standing in the middle of the hallway, his hands in his trouser pockets. He looks unsure.

And I hate this animosity between us.

“Do you want me to get you a coffee?” I ask, offering an olive branch.

He seems surprised at that. “Coffee would be great. Thanks.”

I give him a brief smile and then head for the kitchen. I smile again when I hear him following behind me. I thought for sure that he would go straight to his office.

I busy myself with making the coffee. Kas takes a seat on a stool at the kitchen island.

When the coffee is ready, I take his over to him.

“Thanks.” He offers a smile.

Still standing, I lean my hip against the island and take a sip of my coffee.

Kas wraps his hands around the mug and stares down into it. “I’ve thought a lot this weekend.”

“About?” I ask quietly.

“You.” He lifts his eyes to mine, and the look in them makes my heart beat faster.

“I can’t change the way I behaved, and I can’t explain why I walked out on you. It was the truth when I said I didn’t know how to do this kind of thing, how to treat someone I like. Because I do like you, Daisy. A hell of a lot. I think you’re smart and strong and challenging—”

“Challenging?” I lift a brow.

“I mean it in a good way.” His lips tip up. “I like that you don’t take my shit. You’re a fighter, and I fucking love that. And the way you love your brother and have sacrificed so much for him…it’s inspiring. You’re compassionate and loyal and beautiful. So very fucking beautiful.”

He thinks I’m beautiful. And he sees me in this crappy work uniform, stinking of cleaning products.