“Man bun? Beckett? Are you kiddingme?”
Daisy pressed her palm to her forehead. “It’s so bad, Mom. I mean, I saw him with his hair loose—it’s got a little wave to it and these natural highlights that look so good.” She saidso goodlike she was talking about a black forest cake fromSweet Home Vermont’s cake extravaganza episode. “But he pulls it back into this elastic and it just kills his bad-boy charm. He’s going to look so hot when I get done with him. It’s a good thing he’s leaving the country, because my subscribers will be all over him.” She adjusted in her seat, warming to the topic. “I can already read the comments section—especially once we take off his beard. He has these blue eyes that just pop. You know, maybe we should just shorten and shape the beard. Facial hair is in right now, and with his eyes, a defined jawbone would be absolutelyamazing.”
“Honey?”
“Yeah?”
“You’regushing.”
“Mom!” Daisy’s eyes darted to the front door, the only thing keeping Beckett from hearing every word she said. She fought to free her hand from the extra-long sleeve and pressed it to her warm face. “I’mnotgushing over BeckettKingsley.”
“You are, and since you’re denying it, I’m all the more worried that you might have feelings for thisman.”
“He’s not aman; he’s Beckett.” He was a man, all right, but there was no way Daisy was going to let her mom think she was looking at himthatway. Her thoughts caught on something her mom said like they’d run under a clothesline and forgot to duck. “What do you mean, you’re worried? Why would you be worried?” Beckett was like the third Covington growing up—her mom lovedhim.
Mom sighed. “He’s a rolling stone, darling. He rolled right away from his parents, from us, the moment he graduated high school, and he’s been rolling ever since. I’m afraid you’d give him your heart and he’d tuck it under his arm and roll away from youtoo.”
“You don’t have to worry about me, Mom.” Her face now burned as if she wore a charcoal face mask. Those things were killer on her sensitive skin. “My heart is safe from the likes of BeckettKingsley.”
“You’ve always had a good head on your shoulders and a beautifulheart.”
Daisy smiled and continued to fan her face. “I learned from thebest.”
“I’ve got to go. Your father made fresh orangejuice.”
“He’s sosweet.”
Mom chuckled. “That’s why I keep himaround.”
“Don’t forget to send the pictures, okay? I want to put together a montage of him for this firstepisode.”
“I’ll take care of it thisafternoon.”
They said I-love-yous and goodbyes and hung up. Daisy tossed her phone on the bench and ripped her arms out of the hoodie, suddenly needing some space between her and anything of Beckett’s. She struggled to get the shirt all the way over her head with her hair in the way. Dancing around the porch, she twisted and turned before finally escaping and throwing the garment to theground.
Cold air assaulted her skin and she threw her arms out to the side, soaking up the chill. She breathed deeply. Daisy loved her mother very much, but sometimes it was hard to have a mom who was always right. Beckett had caught her attention and she may have developed a tiny crush on the guy. There was nothing wrong with a little crush or with flirting with a crush. She could handle that without giving her heart to Beckett,right?
Yes.She nodded to herself.Yes, Ican.
Although, as she picked up his sweatshirt and brought it to her face to smell, she wondered if she really believed that or if she was trying to convince herself. Avoiding Beckett would be easy today, but she wouldn’t be so lucky tomorrow when they filmed the firstepisode.
Chapter Seven
EverDayGlam!BeautyTip
Early mornings, or late nights (wink! wink!), can get the best of any girl. Clear up dark, puffy circles under the eyes with this simpletrick.
Soak two cotton balls in cold whipping cream, squeeze lightly, and place over the eyes for ten minutes. The cream will smooth and soothe skin, brighten the overall tone, and even fight those pesky wrinkles. The cold will help to reduce the swelling andpuffiness.
In just a few short minutes, you’ll look bright-eyed andbeautiful.
* * *
Beckett rubbedthe heels of his hands into his eyes in an attempt to clear the sleep from hisbrain.
“Don’t do that; you’ll cause wrinkles.” Daisy’s light touch pulled his hands away from his eyes. He blinked, working to focus on her flawless face. The whites of her eyes were luminescent. Her skin was creamy and smooth. He knew she had on makeup, probably lots of it, but she looked fresh. Fresh as just-picked strawberries. And her hair? Her hair hung in long waves on either side of her face, brushing over both her shoulders and down her … her …front.
He would not think about Daisy’s … front. Even though she stood less than six inches away and continually ran her hands through his hair. Her gentle touch stirred all sorts of thoughts and feelings inside of him. How long had it been since a woman ran her fingers through his hair? Years? He wasn’t a monk, but developing relationships to the level of intimacy required for any closeness to happen was difficult when he moved every three to fivemonths.
