“I bet you’re the reason he’s sticking around.”
It was Daisy’s turn not to say anything. She didn’t even offer a smile, because some part of her knew this time with Beckett was temporary. They would either have to move forward or move back, and she wanted things to stay just as they were for a while.
Later that night, after the dishes were all in the cupboard, her parents were back at the hotel, Vivian and Jason were home, and Quinton was sound asleep in his bed, Daisy and Beckett leaned into one another as a movie played on the big screen. There was a sense of contentment that came when she was surrounded by the people who loved her most in the world. Even though her dad had blindsided her, she knew it was because he cared.
“That went better than I thought it would.” Beckett adjusted his arm and began tracing slow circles on her shoulder.
“You should try doing dishes with my dad, then.”
His fingers stopped partway through their circle. “He was pretty chill with me.”
Daisy internally cringed. She hadn’t meant to bring up the fact that her parents worried they weren’t a match. Sitting here, in the glow of the big screen with the sense of completeness, Dad’s worries seemed far away from the moment.
Still, they’d been different than any reason she’d anticipated.
“Speaking of dads …” She burrowed into his side. “Have you heard from yours lately?”
Beckett stiffened. “Why?”
“I just wondered how often you talk to your parents. You don’t talk about them much. Are you close?”
“Closer than I’d like to be,” he muttered.
“Is this a touchy subject?” Daisy’s own cautionary words about it being too soon to discuss things like in-laws and wedding plans came back full force.
“I see them at Christmas and that visit is too long. Other than that, I do my thing and they call to tell me what I’m doing wrong with my life.”
Daisy’s heart dropped. “That’s awful.”
“That’s my parents.”
She slid her arm across his middle and hugged him tight. The conversation dropped off, and she was okay with letting go of unpleasant topics. Life was too short to dwell on things that made people sad. Sadness had a way of falling into everyone’s laps now and again—demanding to be noticed. There was no sense in giving it extra attention.
Chapter Twenty-Five
EveryDayGlam!Beauty Tip
Your mental health is just as important as your physical health in determining your beauty. If you feel blue on the inside, it will show. Not every day is glitter eye shadow and rock-hard nail polish. Some days you poke yourself in the eye with a mascara wand or have lipstick on your teeth. It happens. Life happens. But that doesn’t mean you aren’t royally beautiful. Remember your worth and that will carry you through.
The next couple of days flew by as Daisy fielded phone calls from new sponsors and managed the business side of her channel. The conference always brought in new business and new viewers. Beckett’s makeover was still trending, so she bought a few ads on social media networks to help it stay hot.
“Okay, I’ll tell Mark to watch for those contracts. Thanks again.” Daisy hung up the phone and sat next to Vivian at the computer desk. “That was USA Organic Popcorn—we’ve added another sponsor.”
“Yes!” Vivian gave her a fist bump. “That’s three big ones in as many days. You must have hustled your butt off at the conference.”
Daisy ran her finger along the edge of the desk. “I have other big news. At least, I hope you’ll think it’s big.”
“Shoot.” Vivian gave her the go-ahead to lay it out there.
“I’ve decided to turnEveryDayGlam!into a partnership, and I’d like to offer you the other share.” She hadn’t made a 50/50 split because she wanted to keep control of the content. “You’d get seventeen percent and we wouldn’t change a thing about your job description, but you’re a big part of why my channel does so well and you should have profit sharing rights.”
Vivian’s eyes shone with unshed tears. “I don’t know what to say.”
“It’s long overdue. That’s what you should say.”
Vivian choked a laugh and shook her head, all while covering her mouth.
Daisy laid her hand on Vivian’s arm. “I have to say something else. This isn’t the reason I decided to reorganize, but I’m hoping it’s a by-product. I thought maybe, if you felt more financially secure, you wouldn’t be so hesitant to date Quinton.”
