EveryDayLove!: A MyHeartChannel Romance

by Lucy McConnell

  “What’s this? Did you hire a helper?” asked Dad.

  Quinton nodded. “He assisted in surgery yesterday.”

  “Surgery, you say?” Dad exaggerated his interest, which got Jason talking.

  “I got to touch a cat’s teeth while it was asleep. And another time Quinton cut open a dog and took stuff out.”

  All eyes swiveled to stare at Quinton.

  He dropped salad on his plate. “We were spaying her.”

  Vivian’s lips pressed in an amused grimace. “I can’t believe you let him see that.”

  “Kids see way worse stuff on the Internet.” Dad turned back to Jason. “Did you learn something?”

  “Yep, I learned that cats need their teeth brushed and they can get cavities, and that we should treat all animals with respect, and that puppies pee when they get excited.”

  Everyone laughed.

  Beckett took that moment to squeeze Daisy’s knee under the table. Their eyes met, and a promise passed between them. A promise that one day they’d have family dinners and listen to the gross but way cool things Uncle Quinton let their kids do. How they could say that all in such a short time was testament to the feelings growing between them. Daisy dropped her gaze, overcome with the vastness of Beckett’s silent conversation.

  Since she’d spent so much time with her mom, Daisy offered to do dishes with Dad while everyone took a walk around the block to help them digest. Really, the walk was for Mom’s digestion and to wear out Jason before bedtime.

  “That Jason sure is taken with Quinton.” Dad ran warm water in the sink. Daisy would have been fine soaking pans, but he insisted on getting all the dishes washed and put away.

  “I think the feeling is mutual.”

  “And his mom?”

  Daisy bit her lip. “We’re working on that.”

  “Good. I like her.”

  “I do too.” They fell into an easy rhythm. He washed, and she dried and put away.

  “Beckett’s not so bad either.”

  Daisy opened the cupboard door to hide behind—and because she needed to stack the plates—but mostly to hide behind. “Yeah, he’s great.”

  “I hear you two are an item.”

  The only thing worse than having to talk to her mom about all this was having to talk to her dad. She and Dad weren’t big talkers. They covered surface information really well but never got into all the feelings and such. “Yep.”

  “You know, I always pitied the girl who married into that family.”

  The comment was from left field coming from her dad. “Why?”

  “Because his parents will make the world’s worst in-laws.” He shook his head as if witnessing a tragedy.

  Daisy didn’t want to hear another reason she shouldn’t be with Beckett. She’d spent the last two days thinking of as many as possible so she’d have an answer for her mom. She narrowed her eyes. The two of them had ganged up on her with this sneak attack from Dad. Well played, Mom. “We’ve been dating for one week, Dad. It’s much too soon to be thinking about these things.” Although she knew just the channel to binge-watch when the time came to plan a wedding. And after the look she and Beckett shared at dinner, she didn’t think it would be long. “Wait, wasn’t Doug one of your golfing buddies back in the day? I thought you like him.”

  “He’s a great golf buddy. But he’s too gruff for a daughter-in-law—especially if she’s my daughter.”

  “Thanks, Dad. That’s really sweet of you to want to protect me.” She leaned her head on his shoulder.

  Dad kissed her hair. “And if you are going to date him, you need to get him off your couch.”

  Daisy’s head popped up. “How did you …?”

  Dad tapped the side of his nose, but he didn’t say a word.

  She laughed. “Just so you know, Quinton invited him to stay here. I had nothing to do with it.”

  “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-Six

  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 turn EveryDayGlam! 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 over
due. 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.”

  “Daisy.” Vivian’s protest was weak at best.

  “Hear me out. If money didn’t exist in the world at all and there was no such thing as debt, would you want him?”

  The tears poured out the corners of Vivian’s eyes, dousing her cheeks. She nodded silently.

  “Don’t let fear win.”

  Vivian nodded again. Daisy couldn’t tell if she nodded because she agreed and would go for it or if she was just saying that fear was a factor.

  Her phone lit up and she saw Teri’s name on the screen. Her fingers tingled with anticipation over taking the call from KPaka. “I have to take this. Here.” She snatched a box of tissues off the nightstand. “You take these and apply liberally.”

  Vivian laughed even as she continued to cry. Daisy made her way into the hallway, where there were less sniffs and nose-blowing to hear over. She answered the phone and they exchanged pleasantries; all the while, Daisy held her free hand in a fist and pressed it to her chest. This was the phone call she’d been waiting for—she could just feel it.

  Teri got straight to the point. “We want to thank you for all the time you’ve put into working with us and for being patient as we considered our options, but we’ve decided to pass on the EveryDayGlam! cosmetics line.”

  Daisy fell back against the wall. “I’m sorry, did you say pass?”

  “Yes. We have decided to pursue another area of the market at this time. But thank you so much for everything.”

  “I—you’re welcome?” Daisy pulled the phone away and stared at it. This felt like the wrong number or a crank call. This wasn’t her life. In her life, she had the deal in the cute little pink bag with a big bow on top. Where was her bow? She didn’t remember saying goodbye or hanging up, but her screen went dark. She stared at it, willing it to ring again and for Teri to say she’d been mistaken, or kidding, or had called the wrong girl.

  A while later, Vivian nearly tripped over her in the hallway. “What happened?” She hooked Daisy under the arm and hauled her to her feet.

  “I didn’t get it?”

  “Didn’t get what?”

  “KPaka. They decided to go another direction?” She couldn’t help but phrase everything in the form of a question—the whole situation was a question mark followed by an exclamation point.

  Vivian’s mouth fell open. “Did she say why?”

  Daisy shook her head. “I didn’t even think to ask.” She couldn’t think about anything right now. This was her dream. She’d envisioned it from the time she was fifteen years old, and now it was gone. Just gone.

  “I’m going to go lie down.” She headed towards the couch, where Beckett’s smell was on the pillow. Hugging it to her stomach, she lay down and stared at the grain on the coffee table. Somehow life would go on. It had to. She just had no idea what to do with it. All she’d ever seen was this goal. Once she achieved that point, she had a goal to hit after that. But she’d never planned to not get there. She needed some time to figure that out.

  Chapter Twenty-Seven

  Beckett put the puppy back in his cage. He’d written a new online ad for the little guy and posted pictures. “That should get you a home.” He rubbed the dog’s ear through the bars before standing up.

  His phone played “Hail to the Chief.” He smiled. “Hey, Kelly. Daisy isn’t here.”

  “Beckett. I know. You’re looking good.”

  He laughed. She said that every time they talked now. “I feel good.”

  “Great. Do you feel ready to get on a plane?”

  No. “Why?”

  “Because we just got the permits for Columbia.”

  “How did that happen so fast?”

  “I’m not gonna lie—we bribed a couple politicians.”

  “O-kay. How soon?” He could spend a couple more days with Daisy, make sure the puppy had a home, play basketball with Jason, and say a proper farewell to Quin.

  “Five hours.”

  Her words hit him like a sucker punch to the face.

  “It’s now or never—well, now or more money. Can you make it?”

  He thought about all the clothing he had in Daisy’s linen closet, the extra shoes—all of which would have to stay behind. That worked out well, because he’d be back and he’d need something to wear.

  This trip would be their first one—hopefully all would go well and they’d move forward in their relationship even though they were miles apart. His chest seized. It was a modern world—they could make this work. He had to believe that. Besides, now he had a beautiful reason to return that had nothing to do with closet space and everything to do with the stunning woman who held his heart. “I can make it.” He dug the keys to Daisy’s car out of his pocket. Kelly filled him in on the details as he drove, and by the time he pulled into the garage, he had everything he needed to begin a new project.

  He was in such a hurry to pack that he didn’t see Daisy on the couch until he almost sat on her. She was sleeping, her lips slightly parted and her hair cascading over his pillow. The sight was almost too much to bear, knowing he’d be gone in less time than it would take to wash and dry the sheets.

  He brushed her cheek with the backs of his fingers, bringing her to consciousness. She smiled when she saw him and then dove into his arms as if she’d been sinking and he was her life preserver.

  “Hey, hey.” He ran his hand down her hair. “What’s this?”

  She sniffed. “I lost it.” She proceeded to tell him about the makeup contract falling through. His leg bounced. He listened as patiently as he could, knowing there was a plane he had to catch. Finally, he couldn’t take sitting any longer and he got up to organize the few things he had on the side table as she spoke. Most of it would stay behind, but he wanted the beard oil and his phone charger.

  “I am sure you can find another sponsor,” he said as he searched for his toiletries bag. Bathroom! He headed that way.

  Daisy followed, talking as they went. “It’s not a regular sponsorship. This was supposed to be my own line of cosmetics. That’s a huge deal in the industry and major brand recognition possibilities.” She twisted her hair behind her head. Her eyes were rimmed with red. He hated that she was crying over this.

  “Daisy, you’re amazing. You’ll find a way.” He threw his toothbrush and toothpaste into the bag and zipped it shut. His bag was in the garage. He headed there next, walking backwards so he could face her as he spoke. His words flowed faster than river rapids. “Your channel has more followers than NASA and you’re smart—oh my gosh, you’re so smart. You can make this work for you—I know you can. I believe in what you’re doing with EveryDayGlam! Heck, I’m a product of your mad skills.” He waved his arm down his body. “This isn’t a hurdle—it’s merely a bump in your road.” He grabbed his bag and headed back to the front room, where he proceeded to roll his clothing and stuff it in the bag.

  “It’s not just that, I feel lo—” Her hands stilled. “Why are you packing?”

  He stopped, taking her by the shoulders. “I have to catch a plane.” Have to—what an interesting choice of words. In all his years with FreeWater, he’d never said he had to fly out—getting on the plane was always the first step in an adventure. This time, he felt like he was leaving the biggest adventure behind.

  “The permits came through. We’re finally going to bring water to the lowlands. This is huge for them. They literally battle alligators for fresh water. I’ve seen women with one arm try to carry their babies—this is so great.” He kissed her forehead, wishing he could pour his excitement into her, though his personal excitement levels were slightly off and he wasn’t sure if he was talking her
into this or talking himself into leaving. There were five pairs of jeans on the shelf; he took one and three pairs of shorts.

  “You’re really leaving, today?”

  “As soon as I can.”

  She hugged herself tight, like she might fall apart at any moment. This makeup thing was really messing with her. Beckett stopped. He had the strangest urge to stay. To just turn the page and start a new chapter in his life. He ran his hand through his short hair. Chapters didn’t start that easily. His phone beeped, interrupting his contemplation. If he didn’t get to his assignment, they’d miss the open window. He’d check the text in the car. Socks. Underwear.

  Daisy dug her fingers into her hair at the roots. “Is this how your life usually is? Last-minute departures, no warning?”

  “Sometimes. Other times I have a set schedule.”

  She tucked her hair behind her ear. “So if you had a kid and he had his first piano recital, would you leave?”

  The clock ticked and the pressure to get out the door mounted. “I don’t know. Can we have a kid before we have this conversation?” he said without looking up. The zipper snagged and he had to pull it back down to stuff the socks deeper before trying again.

  Daisy chewed her lip. “I’m not a needy person, Beck, but I need a partner in life.”

  She was in a strange place right now. Her normal sunny outlook was shadowed with clouds. Beckett dropped his bag and pulled her close. “What do you need from me?” Hopefully it was something he could give in the next thirty seconds.

  “I need some time to figure out what I want in the long-term—space to think. I need to be able to think.” She dug her hands through her hair again.

  A car honked outside.

  “That’s my Uber.” He picked up his bag and threw it over his shoulder. There was something in the air that stuck to him like flour paste. His shoes didn’t want to walk out the door. But he had to go. This was his job—his passion. He kissed Daisy softly. A warm, gentle kiss he hoped explained how he felt better than his words had.