“Of course not—you’re adrift in a sea of …” Vivian glanced down at her son. “…stuffthat happens when you pay close attention to someonenew.”
Daisy held back a laugh. “Yes, it does.” She could definitely say there were a lot of hormones circling and her head swirled with the memory of being held in Beckett’s arms. However, the idea this was all going to seep away the more theypaid attentionto one another wore like pants that gave her a muffin top. But she couldn’t throw out the idea as a possibilityeither.
Needing a distraction from the uncomfortable tightness around her midsection, she asked, “So, why is it that you claim to be my best friend and you don’t tell me you want topay attentionto mybrother?”
Vivian’s chin lifted. “Because Idon’t.”
“Bull.”
“I don’t,” Vivian said more forcibly. “I just got out of asituationwhere I was responsible for a man’s debt. I don’t want to go anywhere near that again, and Quinton has more debt thanthat other guy.” Bysituationshe meant marriage, and bythat other guyshe meant her ex-husband.
Sibling loyalty brought Daisy to the defensive. Quinton was in debt, but he was living with Daisy so he could throw every penny he made at loans. “Quinton is not likethat other guy. At all. He wouldn’t physically harm a soul and he takes full responsibility for hiscredit.”
“I know, but then there’s the whole friendsthing.”
That wasn’t really a problem as far as Daisy was concerned. In fact, being friends first was a benefit. Her parents had started out as friends and they continued to layer love and respect and years on top of that. “You can still befriends.”
“I meant you andme.”
Daisy dropped her legs to the floor at the same time Jason shot. The bullet hit her and bouncedoff.
“Aunt Daisy!” Jason threw both hands up and then dropped themdramatically.
“Sorry!” Daisy handed him the bullet before turning her attention to Vivian. “What is wrong with being myfriend?”
“Nothing—it just complicates the whole Quintonthing.”
Daisy lifted her hands to protest, but Vivian jumped in with, “I don’t need complicated—in any shape orform.”
“But then …” Daisy searched for the right words—ones she could use in front of Jason. “Beingnotsingle always has complications—always.”
“I know that. Which is why I’m choosing to be single. My life is complicatedenough.”
Jason shot out the remaining corner of the tower and the whole thing tumbled to the ground. He jumped up, ready to retrieve his bullets and startagain.
“Hold on there, Rambo. It’s time for church.” Vivian blocked hisretreat.
“Awww.” Jason kicked a cup across theroom.
Vivian suppressed the flash of annoyance. She smiled and pointed at the cup. “You’re going to want to pick thatup.”
“I know.” Jason moaned and groaned but he did as asked. Soon all the cups were neatly stacked on the counter and the bullets stored in the toybox.
Daisy took advantage of the few minutes that Jason was in his room getting on his shoes to say, “I know it could be messy if things didn’t work out between you two, but you don’t have to worry about me. Okay? I want you both to be happy, and if that means you’re together, that’s great. If it means you’re not, I’m good with that too. Please don’t let me stand in the way of yourhappiness.”
“Do you think Quinton would make mehappy?”
“No.”
Vivianstarted.
Daisy hastened to explain. “You make yourself happy. If you are miserable before you started a relationship, then you’ll be miserable in the relationship. So, no, Quinton won’t make you happy. But I think you two would laugh a lot—and that’shuge.”
Vivian hugged her tight. “I’m sticking to my guns on this one, but it means a lot to me that you think I’m good enough to date your brother—especially since you know so much about mypast.”
“Are you kidding? You’re amazing.” Daisy patted her on the back. “And I’d be totally lost without you—you know that,right?”
Vivian laughed lightly. Jason slid into the room on his knees, pronouncing, “I’mready.”
