Chevron

Chapter 7

The next few days were a bit of a blur for Daisy. Having decided that she wanted to buy Colonel Reed's house, it caused her to run backwards and forwards between the bank and real estate agent. By the time Wednesday rolled by, she was proud to announce that everything had been approved, and she was the new owner of Colonel Reed's abode.

William had stayed in town for the duration of the transfer, helping his grandfather pack or discard his possessions. It wasn't the biggest of jobs, considering the colonel wasn't much of a hoarder, and soon everything was loaded into the back of a moving van and sent down to William's place.

On his last night there, and as a celebration, William invited Daisy out for supper. She was a little hesitant, as she didn't want the man to think that she was interested in him, but she supposed a night out for a change wouldn't be a bad idea. Sandra, Jake's nanny, had been all for her going out with someone her own age for a change, stating that all she ever did was 'work and parent'.

And it was how Daisy found herself on a crisp, autumn evening sitting in the town's restaurant across from a man instead of her son. It has been a long time since she's experienced that. After her husband died, she wasn't interested in dating anyone. That and it was also difficult running a successful business and looking after a small child. She simply didn't have the time for herself anymore.

William was pleasant enough as men went, but Daisy couldn't help but feel that conversation from her end was forced. She was usually a bubbly character and could easily hold conversation, but William made it a little trying with his inability to shut up about his many accomplishments over the years.

He was a successful lawyer, however, since he was so invested in the current story he was telling of a difficult case, he didn't notice Daisy's gaze wander to the outside world beyond the restaurant panes. Her eyes followed a familiar old truck that rumbled past the restaurant, its tinted windows prohibiting people from seeing the man inside.

She hasn't seen Chevron since Saturday. Even though he hardly said a thing, Daisy couldn't help but miss him. He just had this ... aura about him that she missed. Although his one-eyed gaze seemed to see straight through her and make her feel a little exposed, it did make her feel like someone was actually seeing and listening to her entirely, like she wasn't just the friendly deli owner who was only good enough for a 5-minute gossip session.

She would much rather have preferred being in his company tonight.

Daisy's eyebrows pulled into a frown. She didn't know what happened on Saturday though. Why had he left so suddenly? What happened?

"... and I mean, what else can you expect from an airhead blonde?"

William's words drew Daisy back into his story, and she paused drinking her wine mid-sip. Her honey gaze moved over the rim of her glass towards the man across from her, and she quirked an eyebrow at his statement.

But William was either too drunk to notice her condensing look or was too engrossed in his story to realize that he had just insulted his date.

Chevron wouldn't have said something like that.

Daisy pushed the thought aside and glanced down at the watch attached to her wrist. "I'm sorry to cut your ... riveting tale short, but I need to get home," she said as politely as she could while she stood, but her clipped voice revealed her irked state.

She's had enough of this man for one night.

William blinked, his dark eyebrows furrowing together into a frown. "What?"

The look he was giving her almost made her laugh. The man seemed completely baffled that she actually wanted to leave his company.

"Good night, William. It's been a pleasure," she said as she grabbed her coat.