Nolan, looked over at her again, as she silently went through her phone.
"You know, I actually went to the bar that night for a private reason too," he said, turning to Daisy.
"I needed to let off some steam.. to get some things off my mind."
Daisy looked at him reluctantly. "Are you okay?”
Nolan took a deep breath.
"I'm actually based in France. I came here because my grandfather wanted me to take care of some family business."
Daisy's eyes widened.
"Family business? That sounds serious."
Nolan nodded. "It is. My grandfather can be...overbearing at times. And now he wants me to settle down with a woman he already picked for me and also take over the family company, but I'm not sure that's what I want."
Daisy listened silently, her eyes softening, she knew how it felt to be placed with such high expectations, with nobody caring about what she actually wanted to do.
"I know how that feels," she said. "Family expectations can be tough to live with.”
Nolan smiled, as he turned to face her fully. "Exactly! It's like they think they know what's best for us, but really, they have no idea."
Daisy laughed. "Tell me about it."
“It’s just so le’ savage” Nolan said.
Daisy laughed loudly as she turned to face him.
"Le’ savage? Really?” She said still laughing.
“I can tell you're not from around here." She added.
Nolan raised an eyebrow. "Oh yeah? Why's that?"
Daisy grinned mischievously. "The way you talk, and your fashion sense. You look like you just stepped out of a paris runway."
Nolan chuckled, feeling a bit self-conscious about his clothes.
“What do you mean?” He asked, his face slightly red.
Daisy laughed.
“I actually like it.” She said.
Nolan blushed, his face cracking into a smile.
“I’ll take that as a compliment.” He said.
Daisy laughed again.
"I'm sure you would. But seriously, you do have a certain unusual feeling. It's refreshing to see someone around here who doesn't wear flannel and ripped jeans every day." She said.
Nolan smiled, enjoying her compliments.
“You don’t look bad yourself..” He said.
Daisy smiled, shaking her head.
“But seriously I’m really impressed with your dressing.” She said, as someone with so much experience in the fashion industry she hardly ever saw a man who knew how to combine colors and brands.
She pointed to his outfit, a sly grin spreading across her face.
"I mean, that Van-louvre shirt you're wearing? That's from their 2021 spring collection. And those pants? They're also Van-louvre, from their 2019 fall line. And don't even get me started on your shoes – those are limited-edition Van-louvre, from their 2018 collaboration with Saint-Lauren, only three pairs were released worldwide." She said.
Nolan's jaw dropped slightly.
"How do you know all this?" He asked.
Daisy shrugged, looking proud of herself.
"I’m involved in the fashion industry... I can spot a designer label from a mile away…oh and I’m sure those shoes are fake.. there’s no way you would have gotten your hands on them."
Nolan laughed, impressed. "Well, I guess so… they’re the fake versions.” he said as he looked down at his shoes.
They were infact original and his grandfather had made three pairs for himself, his mother and Nolan.
Daisy laughed, But hey, at least you're wearing your labels correctly."
Nolan smiled nodding.
"Thanks, I think." He said.
“But I'm impressed. Not many people can spot designer labels like that, let alone know the exact collection and year."
Daisy smiled, her eyes lighting up with enthusiasm. "I know, right? Fashion is my thing. I’ve been in the industry for quite a while, so I know if anything is real or fake at face value.”
Nolan nodded smiling, he was surprised that she hadn’t recognized him, Nolan Van-Louvre, only grandson and heir to the Van-Louvre billion dollar corporation.
"I know what you mean. I've always loved fashion too.” He said, smiling at her.
Daisy's face lit up.
“I have to say… I misjudged you, you seeemd like a show off and an asshole the other day but you’re quite an interesting person.” She said smiling.
Nolan smiled, his face reddish.
Daisy’s smile slowly faded as she looked away.
"To be honest, I went to the bar that night to drown my sorrows with alcohol. I thought I was over my ex, but he showed up out of the blue and... it brought up a lot of old feelings."
Nolan listened intently.
"I'm sorry. That can be tough." He said, his voice gently.
Daisy nodded, her eyes clouding over with tears. "I thought I was fine, but I guess I'm not. Seeing him again made me realize I'm still angry. Really angry. And I don't know why."
"Maybe you're still processing everything. Healing takes time, and it's okay to feel angry." Nolan said, a smile on his lips, he looked down at Luna and she had began to snuggle between the two of them.
He looked to to see her staring at him, her eyes searching his face.
"But why am I still angry? I thought I was over him. I thought I'd moved on."
Nolan shrugged. "Maybe it's not about being over him, but about being angry at yourself for staying angry at him for so long and for giving him so much power over your life. Maybe it's about you feeling angry at the whole situation, not just him."
Daisy's eyes widened.
"Maybe you're right." She said, as she stared at him, he didn’t look it, but he spoke so intelligently, she was actually surprised.
Just then, a young boy with a messy mop of hair and a bright smile walked up to them, running into her lap.
“Mom! A cat? Are we getting one?” The boy asked.
She smiled as she looked down at him.
“No, Daniel it’s not ours.”
“Oh..” the boy said as he smiled at Luna.
"Mom, can I get a cookie?" he asked, looking up at her with big brown eyes.
Nolan's eyes widened in surprise as he watched their discourse.
"Oh, is this your little brother?" he asked her.
Daisy burst out laughing.
"No, this is my son, Daniel!"
Nolan's jaw dropped. "Your son?!" He looked at Daniel again, this time seeing the resemblance to her. "I had no idea! You were so young!" He said.
Daisy chuckled. "Thanks, I get that a lot. I had Daniel when I was pretty young, but he's my world."
Nolan smiled.
"I can see that. He's a great kid."
Daniel looked up at Nolan with curiosity. "Who are you, are you my Mom's friend? She doesn’t have many friends, just aunt Amanda.” The joy said.
Daisy laughed loudly, placing her hands over Daniel’s mouth.
Nolan smiled. "Yes, We met at the bar a few nights ago." He said.
Daniel's eyes lit up. "The bar? My mom doesn't go to bars!"
Daisy laughed. "Well, I do occasionally.” She said.
“Besides he and I were just talking about fashion."
Daniel's face squeezed.
"Fashion? Do you work with my mom? That's so boring!"
Nolan and Daisy laughed, and Nolan ruffled Daniel's hair.
"Hey, watch it, kiddo. Fashion is cool!"
Just then, Victoria walked out of the exam room, a warm smile on her face.
"Ms Daisy! I'm all done with Ella's check-up. She's doing great, but we need to keep her here for about thirty minutes for observation before you can take her home."
Daisy nodded, feeling a little relieved. "That sounds good. Thanks, Victoria!"
Victoria smiled. "No problem, happy to help. And don't worry, Ella will be just fine."
Daniel, who had been quietly listening to their conversation, suddenly grabbed Daisy’s legs.
"Can I go play with Ella now, Mom? Pleeease?"
Daisy smiled. "Of course, sweetie. Go ahead and play with Ella while I finish talking to this nice mister."
Daniel happily ran off towards the exam room, excited to play with Ella.
Victoria chuckled and headed back into the exam room, leaving Daisy and Nolan alone once again.
Nolan turned to Daisy and smiled. "So, it sounds like Ella is doing okay?"
Daisy nodded smiling. "Yeah, thank goodness. I was worried sick about her." She said.
Nolan found himself staring at her as she smiled.
He knew she was beautiful but he couldn’t understand why her eyes were drawing him in, her lips looked so soft, her green eyes drawing him in, her smile was making his heart face fast.
He quickly looked away before she could notice his stare.
What was wrong with him, he was already falling for her without even knowing her name, she even had a kid so she was definitely married.
The man was definitely lucky.
But what if her husband was the ex she was talking about? If he was then maybe he still had a chance.
He slowly looked up at her smiling.
"So, what's your name?" He asked.
Daisy replied, "I'm Daisy."
“After the flower?” Nolan asked smiling.
Daisy nodded.
“Yes after the flower.”
"I'm Nolan." Nolan introduced.
Daisy burst out laughing. "Nolan? You don't even look like a Nolan."
Nolan raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean?"
Daisy teased, "You look like every other name except Nolan, Nolan sounds like a guy who loves sports and drinks beer every day. You know, a total bro."
Nolan chuckled, feeling a little self-conscious about his name.
“Heyy…” He said.
“No need to poke fun at my name flower girl.”
Daisy playfully rolled her eyes as she laughed.
“Flower girl? Oh you really want to try me.. prince Nolan.” She said laughing.
Nolan laughed, enjoying their conversation.
He slowly looked up at her.
"I'm actually free tonight. Would you like to grab dinner with me?"
Daisy stared at him silently doing a mental calculation of her calendar, he was cool and fun to talk to, a good friend since Amanda had decided to spend all her time with Becky, so she would definitely go. "Yes, I'm free too." She said.
Nolan's heart skipped a beat. "Great! I was thinking we could try City Shell Restaurant. I heard it’s one of the nicest places in New York.”
Daisy's smile grew wider. "Okay, that sounds perfect."
Nolan grinned.
“Awesome! Should I pick you up at seven.”
Daisy shook her head.
“No, I’ll be there myself.” She said.
Just then Nolan’s phone rang, he looked towards the phone it was Lance.
He checked his wristwatch, it was already twelve, he was late for the meeting.
“I have to go.” He said smiling at Daisy.
“See you today at seven, flower girl.”
Daisy smiled to herself as she watched Nolan walk away. She couldn't believe she had agreed to go on a date with him, but a part of her was excited. Maybe, just maybe, this was what she needed to take her mind off Ethan and the lingering feelings she still had for him.
She slowly stood up to head to the exam room to check on Ella and Daniel, as she thought to herself, "Why not? Why not try something new and see where it takes me?" She deserved to be happy, and if Nolan could help her forget about Ethan for a little while, then she was definitely going to go for it.