Page 47 of Picking Daisies on Sundays

The sun was just setting, and the city lights were slowly blinking on, mimicking the color of the sun. New York City was something I had only imagined living in in the romance films. And standing in front of the large venue, watching crowds of luxuriously dressed people walk in with dates, felt like one of those movie moments. Diamonds, silk, velvet, and cashmere swayed in an ocean of formal attire, up the stairs, and into the grand stone building.

I hadn’t realized just how famous of a politician and businessman that Sarah’s soon-to-be father-in-law was. But apparently, he was famous and rich enough to afford this venue and know this many well-dressed people.

There was an ample crowd in the lobby formed around the back wall. Just enough people moved apart for me to see Jeff, Sarah, and an older gentleman that must’ve been Jeff’s dad (they had the same nose and stance) who was responsible for this event. They were faced with journalists and photographers, presumably asking questions about the wedding.

My hand shot in the air to wave at Sarah like she was a celebrity. She looked like one, dressed in what appeared to be a white dress covered in diamonds.How did you make a wedding dress top that?

She spotted my hand, responding with one as equally frantic. It made me laugh.

I ran a bejeweled hand over my hair, making sure there were no pieces astray before heading for the stairs, following everyone else. I told Levi I would meet him here, because I honestly had no idea how long it would take me to get ready. Between Jia picking out my accessories, Gabe straightening my hair, and me trying to dust eyeshadow and lip gloss on—it was a process.

But I started to regret it because as I made it to the entrance, handing a tall man my invitation to be ushered in, I felt lost. The floor in front of me looked like glass and sparkled with the reflection of women’s shoes and champagne. I refrained from accepting any alcohol, knowing how poorly that went senior year of high school.

The more I glanced around, the more I recognized faces: editors, photographers, designers, bloggers, online personalities. They all had something to do with the fashion or wedding industry. I understood now why my mom knew of the event—everyone in her industry that meant something was here.

My dress started to feel too tight and the air in the room began to feel too heavy. Pulling my phone from my purse, I reread Levi’s message:Bring your invitation, hand it to the man at the entrance, and then go up the stairs to the right. I’ll be right there waiting for you.

I made my way to the marble stairs, clutching onto the thick railing in order to keep from falling. Every step I took, the thoughts in my mind multiplied. What if I ran into someone from Lazaro? What if Bella was at the top of the stairs talking to Levi? Would he even notice me when I got there?

Twelve steps left.

I wanted to imagine his jaw dropping, him stopping mid-conversation and walking in long strides towards me, grabbing the sides of my face and kissing me like he had dreamed of it since high school too. But that wasn’t going to happen because that wasn’t my story. I wasn’t the one he fell in love with.

Nine steps.

The groups of people on the stairs became denser; the second floor was crowded. People turned as I tried to get by but followed my figure like there was something to be stared at longer. Did they see something on me that I didn’t catch in the mirror?

Breathe, breathe. Two steps.But then I hit the top step—

“Daisy.” The slip of nostalgia from his voice jolted my head upward, where I found him across the room, wearing a dark black suit that made his hazel eyes sing and his brown hair burn with attraction. His lips parted as if he had more to say but had forgotten. My name wasn’t loud when it left his lips; it was simply all I could hear because his voice was so in tune with my sleepless

mind.

And hesaw me; drank in every ounce of my essence and presence, and it felt like I could breathe again. It felt like the air he was breathing was mine, and him and I were one—the only ones in the room. He was several footsteps away, but there was an understanding in his stance. That despite our distance, he had been waiting for me the entire time, not wanting to miss me. And now that he had caught me, he wouldn’t let his eyes leave me. I didn’t want to get my hopes up, but it seemed as if awe was written in his eyes, with the way his head had this small tilt, and his tan skin held a blush.

I smiled with pure joy, and it seemed to wake him up. A surprised smile lifted on his face, and he waved this little flustered wave with his hand. Mid-wave, he stopped to run it through his thick hair, laughing at himself. It made me laugh with him.Was he nervous?He turned to the people beside him, whispered something short, in which they spared me a long glance, and he began walking over in strides.

I watched as he moved towards—

“Did you come alone?” Surprised, I found a man with a trimmed beard and suede suit in front of me. My disbelief must have been evident, because he laughed. “I’d love to buy you a—”

“She’s with me,” Levi interjected. Suddenly, a hand was on my exposed back, and I was being guided by Levi through the crowd. His breath hovered over my ear as he said, “I’m not with you for one second and men are already throwing themselves at you.”

Goosebumps riddled my spine at the warmth of his breath and tone of his voice. My knees felt weak. Every person that we moved around through the crowd, his hand would grasp firmer onto the muscles of my back. His fingertips seemed to spill across my waist, just above where the curve of my underwear ran.

“You clean up nice,” I said with a wink, making him laugh.

“You’re not too bad yourself,” he replied with a smirk. Though it was in a joking manner, it still warmed my heart.

“You definitely had a glow-up since Junior Prom.”

“You’re never going to let me live that down,” he laughed, shaking his head.

I pinched his arm lightly and said, “Never.” I cleared my throat for a moment, realizing that we were supposed to be a couple tonight and instead I was acting like a teenage friend. “You always look handsome though, especially tonight.”

He looked at me in surprise, caught off guard. It made me wonder if all the compliments I gave him were only in my head.

“Thank you. But it’s not anywhere close to how beautiful you are.” I opened my mouth to argue but closed it at the sight of the ballroom.