“She will be at the signing desk later this afternoon.” Felicity took Daisy’s hand. Someone grabbed Daisy’s other hand, and she turned to find Mom toting the laptop bag and grinning with pride. Daisy squeezed her fingers, thankful for her support. She really was the world’s greatestmother.
With Felicity leading the way like an Amazon warrior princess, it didn’t take long before Daisy was at the bottom of three steps that led to a platform. There were five chairs set up, four of them full. On the far end sat Brittany. She looked tiny compared to Ledger Price, who did videos about surviving in the forest with just a pocket knife and a few pine cones. Daisy’s stomach sank. Thankfully Brittany hadn’t seen heryet.
Felicity cupped her hand around her earpiece and stepped to the side. “I’ve got her here. Yeah, give us a fewminutes.”
Daisy smoothed her sticky palms down her hips. She could ignore Brittany’s online comments and the way she bashed Daisy’s station time and again—for the most part. It was easy to let water roll off your back if you weren’t standing in the rain. But being face-to-face with Brittany always left Daisy sick to her stomach. Brittany wasn’t any less mean or confrontational in person, and her abrasive personality created awkward silences. Since Daisy worked to not engage with the toxic woman, she often left looking like she’d been run over—even though she chose to stay on the side of the road and let Brittany run herself into theground.
Mom nudged her up thesteps.
“I can’t,” Daisy hissed. “Brittany’s upthere.”
Mom moved so she could see around Daisy. She squinted. “That’s her, allright.”
Daisy placed herself in Mom’s line of vision for fear that she’d melt Brittany right there with her death stare and throw the firststone.
“This is a good opportunity for you to practice what you preach. Show your viewers what it means to let your beauty shine through. They’ll notice the difference between you two and they’ll see the light you spread into theworld.”
Daisy cringed. “Why do you have to go all ‘Mommy is right on me’ rightnow?”
Mom laughed. She had a good laugh, deep and throaty. When she was little, Daisy tried to imitate the sound when she laughed, but Quinton told her she sounded like Santa Claus, so she gave itup.
Mom hugged her tight. “You can dothis.”
Daisy nodded, her chin bouncing against Mom’s shoulder. “Okay. I’mgoing.”
The first step was the easiest. Each additional one that took her closer to the empty chair on the end, and therefore closer to Brittany, grew in difficulty. She tucked her hair behind her ear. She’d worn it down in big curls today, and after seeing Brittany’s tumbled braid, she wasglad.
A stagehand gave them each a mic and had them say “test” into it once. Right behind him came the moderator, who introduced himself and shook their hands. He faced the crowd and called the room to attention, explaining that anyone with a question should line up behind one of the mics. They’d go for an hour and then he’d calltime.
People scrambled for a line, making Daisysmile.
“Hi. My question is for Daisy. How did you and Beck meet?” The girl flipped her hair over shoulder. She couldn’t have been more thanfifteen.
Daisy lifted her mic, careful to keep her voice low enough not to cause feedback. “Beck is my brother’s best friend. I’ve known him since we werechildren.”
“Next question,” prompted themoderator.
“Hi, I’m Kierra, and my question is also for Daisy. Now that Beck’s makeover is done—” The rest of her question was drown out by catcalls, whistles, andapplause.
Daisy grinned. “I’m glad you’re all happy with theresults.”
The moderator motioned for them to simmer down and for the woman to repeat herquestion.
“Are you planning to make him a permanent part of yourchannel?”
Daisy tipped her head, considering. “I’m not opposed to having him on there more, but he has a job and will probably leave the country soon.” Boos and groans filled the room. “I know. I wish he would staytoo.”
Her gaze darted to her mom, standing at the bottom of the stairs. Her eyebrows lowered. Daisy hoped the next question was about restoring an antique flamethrower—heck, she’d take a question for Brittany to get the spotlight off thistopic.
“Daisy,” the woman at the far right mic addressed her. “It looks like there’s something going on between you and Beck off camera. Can you confirm this for yourfans?”
The whole room took in a breath, hovering on the edge of the question, waiting to fall into joy or misery based on her answer. This wasn’t exactly how she wanted her parents to find out about her new boyfriend, but she couldn’t lie to a room full of people. She hated lying to one person. This simply had to be done. She faced her mom and lifted the mic. “Yes, Beck and I have been seeing eachother.”
The crowd screamed and cheered. Her mom? Not so much. She folded her arms and gave Daisy awe’ll talk about this laterlook.
Okay, so not telling her mom was a bad thing. Telling her in front of a room full of people was worse. But dating Beckett was not a bad thing. He was good and gentle and happy and being with him was as natural as breathing. Mom would just have to understand allthat.
“Hi, my question is for all of you. What would you say is the key to yoursuccess?”
