Page 71 of Picking Daisies on Sundays

“The girls are already dragging you over tomorrow. I’m not taking up any more of your time.”

“I want to come. It’s nice being around a big family. I miss it.” I used to tell him that all the time when we were kids. I didn’t have any grandparents or cousins growing up. It was always just me, Dad, Mom, and Mandy. Going to his house felt like I was entering a family sitcom from the 90s. There was so much laughter and yelling and arguing in the best way. And after Dad passed, I craved anything but the silence of my empty house.

A pause. “I just…I don’t want to be a burden.”

“Never. What time is the class?” I asked.

Another pause. “Thirty minutes, I’ll pick you—Levi, is your girlfriend coming? Rhea said she’s coming!” Levi’s grandma cut him off, making me laugh.

“Oh Jesus,” he muttered, “Yes Grandma, she’s coming! I’m going to pick her up now!” he shouted to her. It both warmed and stung my heart to hear Grandma Coldwell refer to me as his girlfriend, and then to hear his response. It was a painful reminder that we’d have to tell them at some point that we’ve “broken up” and then, well, I didn’t know what would come after.

“Wait!” Jia interjected. “You can’t wear that, Dani.” She pointed at my overalls and canvas shoes.

“What, why?”

“One, you’re going to need heels. When my brother got married last year, we did dance classes, and all the women wore the heels they’d wear to the wedding. Two, you also can’t be wearing that,” she waved her finger up and down my outfit. “You’re not going to be able to move in a pair of jeans, let alone overalls.”

I scowled at her; my overalls were not something Jia and I agreed on. It wasn’t that she had an agenda against overalls or anything, but she said I should be styling my clothes to the shape of my body, not using them to hide it.

I disagreed.

“What am I supposed to wear then? I’m not exactly carrying outfits around!” Something said by no fashion major ever.

“Ask him if he can stop by your house,” she explained.

“Can you do me a huge favor?”

“Anything,” he said. “You’re the one doing me a huge favor.”

“I need clothes. I’m currently wearing overalls.”

“I love your overalls,” he said, confused.

Jia must’ve heard because she took the phone from my hand. “Hi lover boy, she can’t dance in sneakers and denim, so I’m going to need you to grab a skirt and a pair of heels from her closet, preferably ones that match.”

She paused, obviously listening to Levi’s response. “Too many questions, just get a skirt that won’t scar your grandmother and a pair of heels that won’t make her look like a hooker.” My face went crimson, and Josh was laughing as result. Gabe’s date was officially on the backburner.

“We’re at our usual restaurant, so bring them here when you’re done.” And she hung up.

33

so I can carry the weight you’re so fearful

of letting go

Fifteen minutes later, the most striking man I ever laid my eyes on walked through the door. Even Gabe’s date stared at Levi as he entered the restaurant with his well-tailored trousers, dress shoes, and short sleeve button down that had just enough buttons unbuttoned to look classic. In his left hand was a folded garment and a pair of heels hanging from his two fingers. Along with—

“Did he buy you flowers?” Josh asked with a surprised look on his face.

Daisies actually. He was carrying a bouquet of daisies.

I couldn’t remember the last time anyone had bought me flowers.

He spotted Gabe and his date before seeing us in the back. And then, just like that, I caught his gaze and his face shifted from this look of quick surprise to wonderous bliss, as if he had found his friend amongst a room of strangers.

He walked towards us with a slight blush and the most beautiful, quiet smile; his brunette curls bouncing above his ears.

When he reached the table, he timidly held the bouquet out like an unaccepted invitation, and immediately began apologizing, “I know it’s not much—”