26. Sloan

CHAPTER 26

Sloan

L ess than twenty-four hours after leaving Daisy on the sidewalk out front of The Dandelion, and Sloan already feels incomplete. Her chest is hollow, as if she is missing her heart. Her essence. No, her fucking life force.

How in the world did Sloan end up so attached to a woman who infuriates her? Let alone, how did it happen over the course of a weekend? And now she's supposed to continue working with her as if nothing is different between them. As if kissing Daisy wasn't the single most beautiful thing to happen to her. As if their brief connection wasn't enough to completely change her entire being.

Hecate knows Daisy is a challenge. She's got baggage and shit she definitely needs to work through. But she's also soft and warm. She's comfort in the darkness and a beacon for home. A siren that calls to her.

Sloan paces her living room, trying her best to ignore the siren's call. She told Daisy she'd text her to work out details but reaching out now, less than a full day later, feels too soon. Her brain keeps telling her that she needs to wait three days, as if it was some stupid dating rule, but her heart… Her heart is thumping wildly in her chest, excited at the prospect of seeing Daisy again. Of feeling her.

Stopping beside the couch, she picks up her phone, opens the previous chat with Daisy, and types out a message.

Hi Daisy. It's Sloan. How are you doing?

Really? She knows who you are.

Delete.

She tries again.

Hey. What's up?

What are you, twelve?

Delete. Again.

Sloan

Hi.

She pushes send before she has a chance to overthink anymore. She stares at the message, immediately regretting it. Just a single "hi." Goddess, she's an idiot.

Three little dots appear at the bottom. Waiting for the message to come through is agony, and as she's about to start pacing again, it does.

Daisy

New number. Who dis?

Sloan's insides practically bounce with joy, making her feel elated and lightheaded. She moves to the couch and sits, folding her legs underneath her.

Sloan

I was wondering if I could talk to you about your car's extended warranty.

Unfortunately, I drove it into the lake last week.

Do you think that will be covered?

Hmm. Was it by accident or on purpose?

100% by accident

Then, it will indeed be covered.

I'll need all your identifying information and a credit card so I can steal all your money.

Not a problem.

How are you doing?

I'm okay.

Stella stopped by yesterday afternoon and we had a good chat.

It helped.

Sloan fights the rising panic as she thinks about Stella and Daisy together. She doesn't even know what Stella looks like, but thoughts of the two of them together, touching, cuddling, agreeing to try again flood her mind. She swallows and closes her eyes tightly as she breathes out. When she feels a little calmer, she opens her eyes again and responds.

That's good. I'm so happy to hear.

Anyway, would you like to meet up tomorrow for lunch to review plans?

Sure. Where?

Goblin Market? 11:30?

Sounds great

I'll see you tomorrow

I'll see you tomorrow

Sloan re-reads the text. Surely, she misread it, and there's no little heart.

I'll see you tomorrow

Holy shit! But what does it mean? Did she send it to her by accident? Was that little heart meant for Stella?

Sloan stands and begins pacing again, already counting down the hours until she sees Daisy again.

* * *

Sloan checks her watch for the third time in as many minutes, already tapping her toe in frustration.

She's not coming .

She raises her eyes and looks around again, hoping to see the flash of purple hair coming her way. But there's nothing. As she's about to check her watch again and decide how many more minutes she's willing to give Daisy before fully accepting she's been stood up, she feels it. That faint vibrating thread coming from behind her. She spins on her heel and feels the air sucked from her lungs. Her magic sparks excitedly inside her as it senses Daisy's presence.

"Sorry, I couldn't find parking," Daisy apologizes, out of breath.

"You're lucky you arrived when you did. I was about to leave and head directly to the council to report you for negligence," Sloan responds dryly.

"Well, thankfully, you don't need to worry about that anymore." Daisy winks at her before turning back toward the market interior. "So, what's your favorite booth? Are you a noodle fan? A barbecue fan? A salad fan?" she asks, her face practically disgusted with the last suggestion.

"Definitely noodles."

"That's the right choice. I'm not sure we could be friends if you chose salad."

Friends.

Her heart leaps.

"Hey, a good salad can hit the spot," Sloan responds, feigning offense.

Daisy stops, turning to face Sloan as she gently grasps her arm. Her face is stone, and her beautiful blue eyes show a level of seriousness that sends Sloan's stomach into her chest, awaiting some life-altering news. "No. Chocolate hits the spot. Soup hits the spot. Pizza hits the spot. Salad, by definition alone, never hits the spot." She pauses dramatically for extra effect before bursting into laughter. "Oh my goddess. The look on your face."

Her laugh is the song Sloan didn't know she needed. It's different from all the other laughs she's heard. Light and melodic, filling every dark cave within Sloan that longs to come to life. It's like the fresh spring rain, giving budding flowers the drink they need to survive. It's the fuel Sloan needs to survive, and now that she has tasted this joyful sound, she never wants to stop.

They continue to mosey through the market, checking in at different stalls along the way to the food section. Daisy picks up a couple of bracelets and crystals while Sloan finds a new journal. The conversation continues easily, passing jokes back and forth as if they have been doing this for ages rather than two days.

They find the best noodle booth in the market, Slurprise, where Sloan orders her favorite tonkotsu miso ramen, and Daisy opts for a yakisoba bowl. A comfortable silence falls on the table as they take their first bites. Sloan's eyes nearly roll into the back of her head with how good it is. She momentarily forgets she's not alone and in public, letting out a guttural groan of satisfaction. Opening her eyes, she sees Daisy staring back at her. Her eyes are heated, and her cheeks are beautifully pink with blush. Sloan catches Daisy's throat bob.

"Hmm. Is…is that good?" Daisy asks, her voice sounding huskier.

"I'm going to need a moment alone with it, if you don't mind," Sloan replies flatly. Sloan licks her lips, catching some errant broth, noticing how Daisy swallows as her eyes follow the path of her tongue. Maybe that heart she texted Sloan wasn't a mistake after all.