Reid's Runaway Bride. Tracy Madison

      “Maybe. But only in the best possible light.”

      “Not quite sure how you can get ‘best possible light’ out of self-absorbed.”

      “Perhaps ‘choosy’ is a better description,” he said, joining her at the sink. She continued to rinse and, as she did, he loaded the dishwasher. “Nothing wrong with that.”

      And there wasn’t. Daisy tended to keep others at a distance until she determined if they could be trusted with her thoughts, dreams...that inner world of hers. Erin was the same. Most folks were to a certain extent, but some were more cautious, more particular, in who they let in.

      “Honestly, I think she took one look at me and decided she doesn’t like me.” Pain and sorrow deepened the blue in Daisy’s eyes. “I should’ve tried harder before.”

      “She hasn’t decided anything as of yet.” Reid didn’t comment on the rest. There wasn’t any reason to rub additional salt into the wound. He’d done a good enough job of that last night. “And you’re here now. It isn’t too late to build a connection.”

      “Maybe, but it seems I have my work cut out for me.” Sidestepping him, she wiped off the table and resituated the chairs. When she finished, she faced him and arched an eyebrow. “And just to avoid any confusion, I want to be absolutely clear that I’m not going to allow you to indulge in some stupid game. I do not owe you a wedding. End of discussion.”

      Well, then. Full bore it was. “I believe I was already clear when I said that you did. And this discussion is far from over.”

      “Stop.” Narrowed eyes met his. With a stubborn lift of her chin, she took one long step toward him. “This wedding talk of yours is nonsense. As I just said, I have my work cut out for me. I do not have time to deal with...with whatever you’re trying to prove.”

      “We both have a lot of work in front of us,” he said. “Planning our last wedding took close to a year, so supposing we settle on May, we still only have a couple of months.” Unable to stop himself, he grinned. “March or April will leave us with even less time.”

      “There is nothing to plan!” Now the green in her eyes took precedence over the blue. From anger, no doubt, but desire had always had the same effect. “You are not due a wedding.”

      “We’ll have to agree to disagree. A contract was made, a promise was implied.” Shrugging, he said, “And, Daisy, you reneged on both.”

      “Is this because you want to talk about what I did? If so, just say that! We can talk. Right now, for however long you’d like. Otherwise, you need to...cease and desist.”

      “Sorry.” He whisked his thumb along the soft curve of her cheek, her skin warming beneath his touch. “That’s the one thing I cannot do.”

      “Assuming we went by your incredibly flawed logic,” she said, flicking his hand off her face, “I still wouldn’t owe you a damn thing. I returned the ring, which then signified the end of the so-called contract and my implied promise. Even if I hadn’t, even if your argument held any weight whatsoever, the statute of limitations would have long since expired.”