Chapter Two

Chapter Two

The music was loud.

Not painfully loud.

Just enough that conversations blended together beneath the steady beat echoing through the crowded Manhattan bar.

Laughter filled the room. Glasses clinked. Bartenders moved quickly between customers.

For the first time in weeks, Daisy Miller wasn't thinking about work.

Which was mostly thanks to Harper.

Her older sister had practically dragged her out of the apartment.

"You need a social life," Harper had announced.

"I have a social life."

"You talk to sick children and exhausted parents."

"Exactly."

"That's not a social life."

And somehow that argument had ended with six women squeezed around a high table in one of Manhattan's busiest bars.

Harper looked happier than anyone there.

Which made sense.

Unlike Daisy, Harper wasn't interested in men tonight.

She was married. Happily married.

With two children waiting at home.

Tonight wasn't about flirting or finding romance.

Tonight was about having fun without anyone asking for snacks, juice, or help finding a missing toy.

Claire sat beside Harper sipping a cocktail while several of their other friends laughed over stories Daisy had only half been listening to.

Because honestly?

Daisy was relaxing.

For once.

No hospital. No emergencies. No responsibility.

Just friends.

It felt nice.

Unexpectedly nice.

"You should do this more often," Claire told her.

Daisy laughed.

"I knew there was a reason I don't come out."

"You've worked three weekends in a row."

"I like my job."

"You love your job."

Daisy smiled slightly.

That part was true.

Being a pediatric doctor wasn't just work.

It was her purpose.

Her passion.

Which was probably why relationships never lasted very long.

Work always came first.

Not intentionally.

It just did.

Daisy had long ago accepted that.

She wasn't lonely.

At least she told herself she wasn't.

Harper suddenly nudged her.

"What?"

"Nothing."

That immediately meant something.

Daisy narrowed her eyes.

"Harper."

Her sister grinned.

"Just looking."

"At what?"

Harper subtly tilted her head toward the bar.

Daisy sighed dramatically before glancing over.

Then immediately wished she hadn't.

Because standing near the bar was quite possibly the most attractive man she'd ever seen.

Tall.

Dark hair.

Broad shoulders.

The kind of confidence that looked effortless rather than arrogant.

He was laughing at something the bartender said.

And then—

as if sensing her attention—

he looked up.

Straight at her.

Daisy's stomach did something deeply unhelpful.

Their eyes met.

For one brief second.

Then he smiled.

A real smile.

Warm.

Easy.

Dangerously charming.

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. ❤️