Page 1 of Quid Pro Beau

chapter one

Daisy

I’ve always lived a rather quiet life. You might even say a boring one. I grew up in a normal family: one older brother, a dad who was a high school math teacher, and a mom who was an assistant librarian. We lived in a pretty standard two-story house on a quiet-ish street in a suburb of Houston.

I’ve never wanted to stand out in a crowd. I don’t particularly like drama. I guess you could say I’m shy. Perfectly content to support my loved ones from the shadows. It’s why my best friend Temple and I work so well together. She’s all gregariousness and sunshine, and I’m just quiet. Contemplative.

But now Temple is married to my brother, Flynn. It happened a couple of years ago and was supposed to be a marriage in name only for her inheritance. The last few weeks though, things have changed dramatically between them. Turns out they’re in love. Like in love, in love.

I’m beyond happy for them. Now Temple is my actual sister, and I couldn’t have asked for a better wife for Flynn. They’re perfect for each other, and I can’t believe I never noticed that before.

Still, I can’t help feeling a bit like they left me behind. Yes, I know how petty that sounds! Please don’t get me wrong. I am so happy for them! I’d never tell either of them, but I’m feeling more alone than I ever have in my life.

My parents retired to Florida a few years ago, and they are loving their life, getting to fish and play on the beach whenever they want. I know my mom would be here in a heartbeat if I called her. But I should be able to handle this situation. I mean I made my bed, so to speak, so now I must lie in it.

Isn’t that the old saying?

So yeah, I’m a drama-free llama, except for the fact that my life lately has been nonstop drama. I’m really ready for things to slow down, but I know they won’t. At least not anytime soon.

I’m getting a little ahead of myself here.

A week ago I showed up on my big brother’s doorstep, here in this small town of Saddle Creek, where he’d moved. I’d taken one look at him and burst into tears.

Flynn pulls me into a tight bearhug. “Hey Angel,” he calls behind him. “Put some clothes on, we have company.”

“Who is it?” Temple yells.

My brother settles me on the couch with a bottle of water.

“It’s Daisy,” he says.

“Daisy!” she squeals.

That makes me smile, even if it is a watery one.

“I have missed you so much,” Temple says as she rushes into the living room. She practically tackles me on the couch.

“I’m so sorry I missed your grandmother’s funeral. I wanted to be here. I tried.” I sniff.

My best friend’s brow furrows. “Hey, do not think another moment about it. You’re here now; that’s what matters.”

I glance between my best friend and my brother. I can see the difference between them. I know they’re married for real now because I’ve texted back and forth with each of them separately, then all three of us together in a video chat. “I can’t believe y’all are all in love and married.”

“We are,” Flynn says. He smiles widely, then reaches over to squeeze Temple’s knee.

“You both deserve to be happy,” I tell them.

I take a sobering breath, then just rip off the proverbial bandage. “I have news,” I say, with another sniff of my nose. “I’m pregnant.”

And those words break the damn of tears. Sobs rattle through me and Flynn jumps up to grab a roll of toilet paper.

“I’m sorry, I don’t have any tissues.”

I gratefully take the roll and blow my nose.

“Sweetie, why is that sad?” Temple asks. “Or is it just hormones? Babies are not always timely, but they’re always a blessing.”

“It’s not the baby. It’s that I have to do it all alone,” I say. Then I exhale slowly. “Turns out my perfect British boyfriend wasn’t so perfect at all. He’d been separated from his wife, divorce papers in hand. At least that’s what he told me.”