Daisy rolled her eyes. “Pah-lease. You’re the world’s sorest winner.”
“Says who?”
“Says me—the Monopoly champion.”
“You’re relentless.” He ticked her sides. “Come to think of it, I should have known you’d turn into a MyHeartChannel mogul.”
“Right?” She laughed until Beckett kissed her. She felt like laughing and singing and bouncing all over the house as pieces from her childhood, teenaged years, and adult life all meshed together. Somehow, laughing with Beckett and kissing him and sharing their lives made her feel like the best parts of herself shone through. She loved that about him. She might even love him.
Chapter Twenty-One
Beckett entered Quinton’s vet clinic through the front door. He’d spent a lot of time in the back lot putting together the barn kit, but he didn’t feel like he could walk in the employee entrance. Not without Quinton’s permission. After what happened in the kitchen … he wasn’t sure Quinton would let him in at all.
Sienna waved hello from behind the receptionist desk. Typing while talking on the phone, she flagged Beckett to go towards the back rooms. He headed for the recovery room, where the last of the puppies lay alone in the kennel. Beckett headed straight for him, squatting in front of the door. “Hey there, little guy. You want to come out?”
The puppy sat up and halfheartedly wagged his tail.
“He’s going through separation depression.”
At Quinton’s words, Beckett lurched to his feet.
“Which is what Daisy will go through when you pack up.”
Beckett turned back to the kennel, taking in the sadness in the puppy’s big brown eyes. His whole body seemed sad, from his droopy ears to his limp tail. “Is there anything we can do for him?”
“We’re doing all we can.” Quinton washed his hands in the sink and dried them with a paper towel out of the dispenser. “Here’s the thing. If you leave, Daisy will hurt—and not just the first time, but every time. And I’m going to start to hate you for making her go through that.”
Beckett reached up to tug at his beard, only to grab air. Instead he unlocked the door and held the puppy close to his body. “What are best friends for?”
Quinton scowled. “Not that.”
“Look.” Beckett stroked the dog’s soft fur. He wouldn’t mind having a pet. Maybe he could get a dog for Daisy. “I know it’s not ideal, but we’re figuring this out. We’re taking it one day at a time, going slow.”
“It didn’t look like you were taking it slow this morning.”
Beckett checked his grin. “You could learn a thing or two from me.”
“Like what?” Quinton scoffed.
“Like my seventeen-step program to woo a woman in fifteen years—give or take three years. Step one: Help her climb tree houses.”
Quinton laughed and his angry shell cracked. “Have you really liked my sister all these years?”
Looking back, there wasn’t at time Beckett could remember knowing Daisy and not liking her. Sure, there were moments when she played the annoying little sister card, but at the end of the day, there wasn’t a girl he’d rather have more than her on his Nerf gun team. That had to mean something. “I think a part of me has been in love with her since the day you all moved in.”
“You had to get all mushy on me.” Quinton smacked him on the back, telling Beckett he was over the whole argument. “You’re so whipped.”
Beckett smiled so hard his cheeks hurt. “Don’t knock it till you try it.” He almost made a comment about the perks, but was able to bite it back at the last second. Quinton was still Daisy’s brother.
And it looked like he was officially Daisy’s boyfriend. He walked taller as he left the office, his new title giving him an extra lift in his step. He hadn’t been this happy to be someone’s boyfriend since sixth grade when Tori Yates kissed him on the playground and told him not to tell anyone or she’d punch him in the face.
Ah, love.
Chapter Twenty-Two
EveryDayGlam!Beauty Tip
Temporary lip tattoos will dissolve in oil. You can use olive or coconut oil to get them off without having to scrub. This makes using lip tattoos on a daily basis so much easier. Of course, it also means Mom can check to see if a tattoo is real or not. Don’t mess with Mom!
