From the time I hung up my phone, I began planning the words I would use to tell William I wasn’t going to the prom with him.Hurting William was the last thing I wanted to do. But he had to understand that I asked Victor to go to the prom first. William and I could still have a dance or two at the prom, but Victor had to be my escort.I left my office, said goodnight to the receptionist, and traveled down to the parking garage while rehearsing in my mind what I decided to say to him.I was satisfied that the words I chose were gentle and respectful enough to make him see that I cared about him and make him realize I had to be fair to Victor, too.William’s car was parked near the lower-level elevator doors. I opened the door and slid inside the Mustang before he could get out of the vehicle.William was studying a stack of papers and was startled by my sudden appearance in his car.“Daisy, I didn’t see you get off the elevator.” He wrestled the papers into a big envelope and tucked i
The closer we got to the mansion, the more excited I became. When William pulled the car in front of the house, I struggled to keep myself from leaping out of the Mustang and running inside to find Alex.It was only fair to wait for William. He found this potential miracle, so he should be there to tell Alex.Benson heard us at the front entrance and hurried to ask if William was staying for dinner.“Probably, but don’t worry about that right now,” I said. “Where is Alex?”“He’s in the living room,” Benson replied. “I’m afraid he’s quite tired today.”“We may have something that will make him feel better,” I said with a grin. “You should come with us, Benson. You’ll want to hear what we have to tell Alex.”Benson followed us to the living room, where we found Alex asleep on the recliner. He stirred when the three of us trooped into the room.I knelt by his side. “William and I need to tell you about something he found for you.”Alex gave me a weak smile. “Not a gift? It’s not my birth
Even though I was terrified I would lose Alex this morning, I smiled when he returned from the bathroom.Then, I began to talk about what we would do when he was well again, as Benson made him comfortable on the recliner.“We must do some traveling together,” I said. “I’ve never been farther from the city than Lake Pocono.”“That sounds wonderful, sweetheart,” Alex agreed. “There are several places I would enjoy visiting with you.”Benson tucked another blanket around Alex. “I must wait in the foyer now. The doctor will be here any moment.”Benson left the room, and I pulled a small chair close to my father. I didn’t intend to leave his side until it was over.“Have you made your choice yet between your two suitors?” Alex asked.“Not really,” I replied. “But I’m close to a decision.”Victor and William are both excellent men,” Alex stated. “I approve of either as long as you’re happy.”Our conversation was cut short when Benson returned with Dr. Stedman.“Are you sure you want to do t
“Lana! Victor!” I called as I rounded the back of the other limousine in time to see the man lift Lana into a wheelchair.“Daisy, dear,” Lana said when she saw me approaching her. “It’s good to see you.”“It’s good to be mistaken for my son,” Harry laughed as he closed the limousine’s door and turned around.“Don’t let it go to your head, Harry,” Lana giggled. “Maybe Daisy lost a contact lens.”My disappointment that he wasn’t Victor was crushing me, but I tried not to show it. “It’s good to see you, Harry. I didn’t know you enjoyed shopping with Lana.”“I don’t enjoy shopping at all.” Harry smiled at his wife. “But Lana can’t get around by herself yet, so I was drafted to be her nurse today.”“Nurse?” Lana rolled her eyes. “I just need a little help getting in and out of the car.”“Daisy, will you help me raise my darling wife’s leg?” Harry asked. “It must be elevated until the cast comes off, or it swells.”I adjusted the wheelchair pedal while Harry lifted Lana’s casted leg. When h
“I’m sorry, but I don’t have nail polish in a shade of emerald green,” the manicurist doing my mani-pedi told Amy. “But I’m sure I have another color suitable for Miss Wilson that will compliment her gown.”“That’s okay,” I told her. “Miss Gray was joking.”“I thought you might want your nails to match your dress like mine,” Amy teased.“Yeah, but your dress is pink,” I reminded her. “I’d rather have pearl white nails than any shade of green.”Amy giggled again. She was feeling a little silly after getting massages and facials the day before the prom.I wished I could match Amy’s enthusiasm for the prom, but she had Justin, while the guy I wanted to be my escort had disappeared from my life.Victor hadn’t called or come by my office or the mansion in weeks. After running into Lana and Harry at Gisele’s, I texted him again, asking if he heard Alex was getting well.Victor responded with a thumbs-up emoji, and he called Alex to congratulate him.“I love spa days,” Amy said as her manicu
“I don’t understand either,” I said. “I saw you driving the blue car.” I know I did.“Daisy, I never had a blue car,” William insisted. “The only car I’ve ever owned is my black Mustang.”I was so sure it was William who saved me. It’s what started my crush on him. Yet, there was no reason for him to deny it was him.“William, was it you who found me lying on the side of the road?” I asked.“No, it wasn’t me,” he replied. “I wish I knew who it was. I would like to thank them for helping you.”I put the candy back in my pocket. Everything I believed about that day was falling apart. William was modest, but why would he deny doing such a good deed?“I know I saw you getting into a blue car more than once, and one time, I saw you drive it away from the school.” I know what I saw. I couldn’t be convinced otherwise.“Daisy, I never had a blue car,” William insisted. “I don’t remember ever driving one either. My mom and dad have white and silver cars, so it can’t have been theirs that you s
William and I walked to the front of the mansion together. We were both still stunned by what we had discovered, and we remained silent until we reached the front door.“I’m sure you have a lot to think about,” William said. He kissed my cheek, and his voice took on a strange tone. “You’ve been a good friend to me too, Daisy. See you later.”Watching him climb into the Mustang and leave, I had a strange feeling in my stomach. As I slowly walked into the house, everything began sinking in.I had always been sure that William was the guy who saved me. It was a shock to know it had been Victor instead.Even more shocking was it meant the Goddess wanted me to be with Victor. But it was too late. I was going to the prom with William, and Victor was avoiding me.I went inside and hurried to my room. A few moments later, Diana and I leaped from the balcony and began running toward the field.As we ran, all the special moments I had with Victor played in my mind. I adored spending time with h
“I must be dreaming again,” I mumbled as I walked into Victor's arms.No, he was real! This was really happening! I felt the tingling sensation as his strong arms closed around me. It was heaven to be back in his embrace.“But, what about ….” I didn’t want to say William's name and break the spell.“William called me,” Victor explained. “He said he realized you and I belong together, and he will no longer get in our way. He asked me to escort you to the prom.”“Is he okay?” I pulled away from Victor a few inches. “I didn’t want him to be hurt. He’s a good guy.”“He’s fine,” Victor assured me.“I’m awfully glad you’re here, but I feel terrible that William will miss his senior prom because of me.”“He’s not missing anything.” Victor grinned and put the corsage on my wrist. “He accepted a promposals from a nice little blonde cheerleader.”I was surprised for a moment, and then I hugged Victor tightly. “I’m glad he’s going with her. If it’s the girl I’m thinking of, she adores him.”“Hey