Chapter Three

Chapter Three

Daisy immediately looked away.

Heat rushed to her cheeks.

"Oh my God," Claire whispered.

"What?"

"He smiled at you."

"No he didn't."

"He absolutely did."

Harper looked delighted.

Daisy suddenly became very interested in her drink.

Because unlike her sister, unlike some of their friends, Daisy wasn't looking for anyone.

She wasn't looking for romance.

Wasn't looking for complications.

And she definitely wasn't looking for the gorgeous stranger currently standing at the bar.

Still...

A few moments later she found herself glancing back.

Just once.

The stranger was still there.

And somehow...

He was still looking at her.

"Oh no," Harper said suddenly.

Daisy frowned.

"What?"

"He's coming over."

Immediately, every woman at the table turned to look.

Except Daisy.

Because absolutely not.

"No he's not."

"He definitely is."

Claire was already grinning.

"Harper, stop encouraging this."

"I'm not encouraging anything."

"You literally look excited."

"I am excited."

Daisy groaned.

The stranger got closer.

Closer.

And then stopped beside their table.

Up close he was somehow even more attractive.

Which felt deeply unfair.

He smiled politely at the group.

"Hi."

Six women stared back at him.

The poor man didn't even flinch.

Impressive.

"Hi," Harper answered immediately.

Of course she did.

The stranger's eyes briefly found Daisy's before returning to the group.

"I was wondering if I could buy you three ladies a drink."

Before Daisy could disappear through the floor, Harper smiled brightly.

"Only three?"

The man blinked.

Harper pointed around the table.

"There's six of us altogether."

For a second Daisy thought surely that would scare him off.

Instead he laughed.

A genuine laugh.

"Then six drinks it is."

Harper grinned triumphantly.

"See? That's the correct answer."

The stranger shook his head slightly, amused.

"It'll be my pleasure."

Daisy looked at her sister like she'd completely lost her mind.

Actually lost it.

Harper ignored her entirely.

Traitor.

Before the stranger could ask what everyone wanted, Claire suddenly stood.

"I'm going to the bathroom."

"Oh," Harper said dramatically. "Me too."

Daisy's eyes widened immediately.

"No."

Both women were already walking away.

"Have fun!" Claire called over her shoulder.

"Harper!"

Too late.

They disappeared into the crowd.

Leaving Daisy completely alone at the table with the stranger.

For a moment neither spoke.

Then he looked toward the retreating women.

"I feel like I've been set up."

Daisy laughed despite herself.

"A little."

"A lot?"

"Definitely a lot."

His smile widened.

And just like that, some of Daisy's nervousness eased.

He held out his hand.

"I'm Roman."

Daisy looked down at it for a second before shaking it.

His grip was warm.

Steady.

"Daisy."

Roman repeated her name quietly.

"Daisy."

The way he said it sent an unexpected flutter through her chest.

Dangerous.

Very dangerous.

"So Daisy," Roman said, leaning casually against the table, "what are we drinking?"

For the first time all evening, Daisy found herself smiling without even realizing it.

And across the bar, hidden behind a corner near the bathrooms, Harper and Claire watched.

"Oh, they're talking."

"Stop spying."

"I'm not spying."

"You absolutely are."

Harper grinned.

"Look at her smile."

Claire peeked around the corner.

"Oh wow."

"See?"

"She's actually smiling."

Neither woman had seen Daisy look that relaxed around a man in years.

Back at the table, Daisy and Roman were already deep in conversation.

One drink became two.

Two became stories.

And before either of them realised it, they had completely forgotten about the crowded bar around them.

For the first time in a very long time, Daisy wasn't thinking about work.

She wasn't thinking about tomorrow.

She wasn't thinking about anything except the man standing in front of her.

And Roman?

Roman couldn't seem to stop smiling every time she laughed. ❤️