Pushing Up Daisies by Jamise L. Dames Read Free Book Online Page A

hand.
    “Hmm,” Gigi smirked. “I’m his first cousin, and blood is thicker than mud.”
    Ming Li looked from Daisy to Camille. “Wife? What are you doing here? Is there a problem, Daisy?”
    Daisy shook her head.
    Gigi moved within two feet of Camille. “’Cause if there is, we can handle it.”
    “Gigi, stop it. Camille’s pregnant.”
    “Yes, with my husband’s child.”
    Ming Li tapped her mini-cigar on the pearl-pink case as if it were a cigarette. “I guess smoke isn’t healthy for you, hunh?” she asked, lighting the tip. She took a deep pull and blew it toward Camille.
    Camille fanned the smoke away, ignoring Gigi and Ming Li. “As I was saying, Daisy, Jasper didn’t choose you after he married me. I said we’ve been together ten years, not married for ten. Five years,” she went on, holding up her hand and spreading her fingers. “We were married five. Hope that answers your question.” Camille stood and headed toward the door.
    “Mom?” Jay called, emerging from the stairs.
    Camille froze.
    Daisy’s heart pounded. From Camille’s open mouth and wide eyes she could tell that Camille had never seen Jay. “Yes, baby, I’m here. Go back to your room. I’ll be up in a sec, as soon as I put the trash out.”
    “Okay.” Jay kissed Daisy on the cheek. “Can you help me pack? I can’t find my shorts.”
    Daisy nodded. “Sure, I’ll take care of it. Finish resting. There’s a game coming on later that I know you don’t want to miss.”
    Camille stared at Jay. “Mom? You have a son?” She covered her mouth. “He looks just like—”
    Daisy crossed her arms. “Weren’t you leaving?” She brushed past Camille and opened the front door. “Yes, you were. It was a pleasure.”
    “Bye,” Ming Li and Gigi sang in unison.
    Camille turned. “We’ll meet again.”

    “Now what?” Gigi asked.
    “Now Daisy gets an attorney, that’s what,” Ming Li spoke up.
    Gigi laughed. “An attorney? Why? What’s Camille going to do…sue Daisy for screwing her husband?”
    “Maybe not for that, but she can haul me into court for custody of Jay.” The way Camille had stared at Jay had upset Daisy. She hoped that she had rights, since she had raised him. “Do you think they can… will take him?”
    “Mmm-hmm.” Ming Li nodded.
    “Definitely,” Gigi agreed. “If my aunt finds out about Jay. Think about it. Both of her twins passed away, first Jonathan, now Jasper. Wouldn’t you want custody of your grandson too? He’s the only boy she has left.”
    “But they don’t know him—he doesn’t know them! He’s not a part of Jasper’s estate. He’s a boy, not a thing to pass down generational lines…up for grabs to whoever gets him first. I won’t let them take him. I can’t, we belong together. We’re all we have. I promised I wouldn’t leave him, that I’ll always be here for him. Losing Jay is not an option.”
    “Okay.” Gigi paused, thinking. “You have to move. Stay with me until you get on your feet.”
    “I can’t do that, Gigi. No offense, but I don’t want to be near Marcus.”
    “So, maybe you should just go back home for a while. Get some California sunshine.”
    “Hell, no. I’m not going back home. I don’t want to be around my family.”
    “So you and Jay can stay with me,” Ming Li offered.

    With Jay at his friend’s house playing video games, Daisy lay in bed watching videos of her and Jasper’s happier days. She missed him terribly. She felt empty, and her heart ached. Daisy closed her eyes, losing herself in the sound of his voice. She relaxed, allowing her body to be held by the soft fullness of the pillows. Inhaling slowly and deeply, she licked her lips sensuously, as Jasper had many times before.
    Daisy grabbed Jasper’s T-shirt, which she had doused with his cologne, pressed it against her nose, and lost herself in his scent. He’d always smelled so good, felt so warm, tasted so delicious. Daisy’s body tingled. She needed Jasper to fill the