Snapshot

by Kay Cove

Daisies were ours. For us. For our daughter. I still lay a thick bouquet of white daisies on her grave at least once a week. I know you’re with her now. Can you ask her if she still likes them? Or if I should stop? Do you still like them? Because I picked out a dress for when they finally put me in that casket. It’s handsewn lace in the shape of daisies. I know I missed my chance in this lifetime, but if there’s any hope of a second chance for us… I’ll be there. In a white dress. Waiting for you at the gazebo.

Damn okay gonna make me cry in the prologue

Daisies were ours. For us. For our daughter. I still lay a thick bouquet of white daisies on her grave at least once a week. I know you’re with her now. Can you ask her if she still likes them? Or if I should stop? Do you still like them? Because I picked out a dress for when they finally put me in that casket. It’s handsewn lace in the shape of daisies. I know I missed my chance in this lifetime, but if there’s any hope of a second chance for us… I’ll be there. In a white dress. Waiting for you at the gazebo.

Damn

Every day, he becomes more Hessler and less who he really is. So, I’m sending him to a place where he can feel close to you. If you’re up there watching over us, please take extra good care of our grandson. He’s everything to me. He’s all I have left of Melody. He’s all I have left of you.

Oh damn his grandpa isn’t his grandpa

Alan is nice, but he reminds me of school. Good for me, but goddamn, am I reluctant to go some days.

Damn😂😭

Social security isn’t going to do a damn thing for you by the time you can withdraw.

Fear not, she’s marrying rich

Everyone knows the raspberry cheesecake cookies are where it’s at.”

SO TRUE

“No, I mean I’m impressed with my self-control. I really wanted to throw him off my balcony. You think he’d bounce like a skipping stone?”

“Then I’d tell you to take that off. Your shorts, too. Then get in my shower while I watch.”

OH OKAY DEX

“You knew the old owner? I think my grandma and him were good friends back in the day.” I nod. “Jacob Hayes.”

That’s your grandpa

Grandma kept saying not to make the mistake she did, because if she could just go back, she would’ve chosen daisies.

😭😭

“What about the Hessler Estate?” “What about it?” Denny asks, looking puzzled. “Honestly, you spent more time there than I ever did. It’s basically your childhood home. I want to sell it to you.” Her jaw drops. “Dex…that’s…very generous, but you know I can’t afford⁠—” “For a dollar.

“Sweet boy. It’s hard to believe you’re a Hessler sometimes.”

HES NOT

She clarified upon her arrival that the will was revised under her guidance a couple months ago.

Omg was it after she met Lennox?

Hessler Group, being privately owned, has a policy that the majority shareholder of the company also assumes the role of CEO.”

Damn so he has to marry someone who will become CEO? That’s a big ask

“The night I walked in on you on the bed. When you…you know…you said Dex’s name.”

OH SHIT

“By the way, why are we here? I thought you hated dive bars.” “I do. But you love them.” I tell her how I feel about her the only way I can. I get as close to the line as possible without crossing it.

“Where are you going?” I slide out of my bar stool, eyes locked on Lennox. “To close a deal.”

YEEAAAHHHHH

If I’ve learned one thing…never ever trust people with money.”

Oof

For fuck’s sake. Some random dude stole my girl with a piece of fruit.

The bar is so low

If we’ve been feeling the same way for three years… What the hell, man? And then why is he telling me all of this now? Is it possible he’s been holding back his feelings, too?

He takes the bill back and unfolds it carefully so I can see the purple nail polish mark at the top right corner.

He kept her $10 for 3 years in his wallet😭😭

“No. Sorry. You can have literally any bill in my bank account except that one. It means way too much to me.”

DEX😭

“Do you want this to be meaningful? You want me to tell you how I really feel about you? Because once I do, there’s no going back.”

YES DAMMIT

Do you want us to stay where it’s safe? Or do you really want to cross this line and risk ruining our friendship?” I slump forward, my forehead knocking against his chest. The thin fabric of his shirt is cool against my hot skin. “Ruin it,”

MY ADVICE IS ALWAYS RUIN THE FRIENDSHIP

“Trouble…my heart stops every time you walk into a room. I am fucking obsessed with you. I have been from the very first moment you showed up at my bedroom door and gave me that ten-dollar bill.”

“I was trying to maintain boundaries,” he answers defensively. “I didn’t know what you wanted.” I grab his shirt and tighten my fist, pulling him closer. “You. For three fucking years, Dex. You.”

“Dex, the next exit takes us to Primrose. It’s past midnight, and everything is closed besides a Taco Bell and that 24-Hour Walmart. What are we going to do?” “He”—Dex nods toward Colton, who has gone back to ignoring us—“is going to entertain himself in Walmart for a while. We’re not leaving the car. Private party.

…you’re gonna have your first time together in the backseat of a strangers car?

“I shouldn’t have to say it, Dex. Don’t you know by now? I’ve been yours.”

“The rules were clear. I told him one cart.” That’s one big flat-screen TV. Maybe a Mac desk if they are even in stock. What else would a kid his age really want? It’s not like Walmart sells cars.

I would fill it with gift cards

Two bags have tipped over, revealing a handful of smartphones.

Also smart

“Lennox?” Grandma asks, raising her brows. “I thought you were dating a young woman named Leah?”

She wanted to meet your girlfriend and you invited Lennox

“Choose love over fair. Over duties. Escape, Dex. Do you understand me? Love, love, love. Fight for it. Obsess over it. It’s the only thing that makes sense at the end of your life. How do I get you to understand that? You should have loyalty to absolutely nothing else except love.”

had I not heard Dex gushing over Leah right afterward. She’s changing my mind… Maybe changing my heart.

No dummy he was talking about you

The kind of friend who digs up an old shoebox of memories for his grandmother’s long, lost friend.

You unknowingly brought her pictures of her true love 😭

She’s a flight risk. And I can’t afford to lose her.”

It’s a good thing I didn’t have to read about the last 3 years because you guys would’ve pissed me off

finding the image that’s paperclipped to a folded-up piece of paper. I carefully detach the flimsy half-picture of a woman sitting on a dock.

Stop it 😭

Don’t you see it? Your grandmother and Jacob were obviously lovers.”

Men are so dumb

He drips the warm honey down my center, ensuring it thoroughly coats my clit

That sounds like a UTI

This close, I recognize the scent… Dottie’s fancy French perfume.

So I actually think Denny is insane

I can’t stand having to watch the performance with a slight lag on the jumbotron. Bless Taylor Swift’s soul for putting that performance on TV.

TEA

She bought a micro pig and named it Piggie Smalls, aka The Notorious P.I.G., so basically, we’re soulmates.

Please tell me she’s the FMC for book 3

It's the very same Polaroid I gave Dottie three years ago. Except it’s not just half. It’s been taped together…the missing piece is a twenty-something-looking Jacob staring back at the camera, a big smile on his face.

“I’m Katherine—or preferably Kat—Tearney, journalist for Peak Publications.” As I shake her hand, I glance at the open door. Where the hell is Denny? “Lennox Mitchell. Nice to meet you.”

THAT BITCH

“Not a clue,” I admit. “Denny—or, I guess Mrs. Lockleer as you know her—was supposed to meet me beforehand so I’d be better prepared for you.” Kat sucks in her lips. There’s a loud smack as she releases them. “Clearly a miscommunication because when she purchased the feature, she said you’d requested it.” “I didn’t request this interview.”

Oh I see it now, Dex has to choose between Denny and Len

“Just between friends, right?” She laughs. “Obviously, the word ‘shlong’ has no place on a business editorial.” “Yeah, his dick is magical.”

Why am I worried this will go into the article

HESSLER GROUP: FROM LEGACY TO LAUGHABLE. How one Las Vegas hussy swindled American royalty into handing over his billion-dollar fortune and his huge, magic schlong. Hilarity brought to you by Kat Tearney Fucking Kat.

I knew I didn’t like that bitch

“Sir, we’re here. Right up front.” I look out the window to see the grand entrance to the Hessler Group corporate headquarters. It looks more like a palace made from glass windows than a corporate office. “Thanks, Joe,” Dex says, “Throw the hazards on. We need a minute. Also, I’d recommend you close the partition now.”

OH OKAY

I could picture us raising our children in his beautiful Vegas home. Meager to him, but still much too much for me. I’d love to invite my parents over for Sunday barbeques and open up the gate that separates Dex’s yard from Finn’s. That’s my happily ever after. Me and my family. Everybody safe.

Somehow this is how the book ends

Harrison had an affair. Apparently, it was a few months after our wedding.

DENNY IS HIS DAUGHTER

that’s not all Harrison confessed to this morning. That affair produced a child to a mother who is not fit to be a mother.

I KNEW IT