Beth hurried home after leaving Andrea and Daryl by the pond. She hadn't said a word to the others, just waved at them and gave her best smile as she hurried to her car. She'd even left her heels in the makeup trailer.
He almost kissed her. Daryl had almost kissed her.
She's sure of it. Well almost sure. He was really close and he even closed his eyes. Didn't he? It had been a good day up until the end and if she's being honest with herself, a lot of it had to do with the fact that Daryl was there and he was feeling nervous and wanting it to be over, just like her. And he'd been nice to her and seemed to enjoy talking to her. What she really needs right now is a heart to heart with her sister.
Maggie's home, but still recovering and is probably already asleep. She'll wait until tomorrow before she does anything. She does send Glenn a text letting him know that the first day is done and it went well. Then she showers and falls into bed thinking about Daryl's smile and how rarely he shared it, but when he had it had been with her.
Her phone is ringing early the next morning and she's already up because she couldn't sleep; nerves and a certain blue eyed man kept her up most of the night. Who is calling this early? Thinking it's something with Maggie she answers the call without checking the caller id.
"Hello?"
"Hi, Beth. It's Michonne. I'm sorry I woke you, I know it's early." Michonne sounds a little tense.
"I've been up for awhile. I didn't sleep all that well," Beth says stifling a yawn. When she did sleep she had weird dreams involving houses and zombies delivering pizzas.
"Well, you have some time to get a few cups of coffee in your system. Andrea called and the seller had to delay filming because of a guest who is still on site and obviously didn't pay attention to early checkout. So we don't need to be there until around ten."
"Oh, okay. That might be a good thing." Beth feels a little bit let down, she hoped maybe seeing Daryl would put things in perspective. Then realizes that gives her time to actually stop by Maggie's and check on her. And depending on how her sister feels she may or may not tell her about Daryl.
"Is everything okay Beth? You left filming without saying much after you disappeared with Daryl." Beth feels herself blush and she hears the question in Michonne's comment but she plays dumb.
"Oh yeah, I was just really tired."
"Ok, if you say so. Well, I'll see you in a bit then."
She gets the feeling that Michonne doesn't quite believe her. She just tells herself that everything is okay and she'll be fine. She will.
To be honest she barely believes herself.
Daryl has a headache. So Rick's text that filming is delayed until ten that morning is a good thing. His head was such a mess when he left filming the day before that he'd come home, pulled out his emergency bottle of whiskey and drank until all the voices in his head had shut up. Drinking on an empty stomach coupled with the fact that when he does drink he keeps it minimal has given him a hell of a hangover. He managed to shower and get dressed and now he's doing his best to choke down a plate of scrambled eggs and some toast.
He's also trying really hard not to think about Beth. He drank enough last night to quiet the voices, but it didn't stop her pretty face from haunting his dreams.
He isn't sure what happened out by the pond. One minute she was in his arms and he was sure he was going to get to kiss her and then Andrea and her whining ruined it all. He doesn't even know if Beth really wanted to kiss him. It sure felt like it. But he's shit at feelings and women in general so he's probably got it all wrong. But he'd like to know for sure and he's hoping that seeing her will clear things up or complicate them more.
Regardless he does want to see her. She had that sad look on her face when she left and Rick said she just waved on the way to her car; Didn't even stop to say goodbye. He doesn't know her all that well, but for some reason that doesn't sit well with him and he plans on making sure she's okay. Even if she has no plans on ever kissing him.
Maggie is always the tough one, not that Beth isn't strong and capable. But Maggie is her big sister and seeing her lying in bed, face pale and in obvious pain hurts Beth's heart. She still has her fire though. After Beth told her about the first day of filming, smiling and enthusiastic during the entire telling, Maggie wrote on her white board,
'And?' Beth kept the fake smile plastered on her face and shrugged. She had decided when she first saw Maggie that her silly qualms about Daryl Dixon could wait. Maggie wasn't feeling good and Beth wasn't going to lay this on her now. But Beth always underestimates her sister's uncanny ability to read her like a book, even when she's recovering from a major surgery.
"It's nothing Mags. We can talk about it in a few days. When you're up to it." Beth folds her hands in her lap and looks down, trying to hide the fact that she's biting her lip to hold back the tears that are right there, threatening to give her away. Maggie pushes the little white board onto Beth's lap, there's one word written on it. SPILL.
Then the tears come and she explains everything, realizing how ridiculous it sounds in hindsight. Maggie listens, making all the appropriate facial expressions and even reaching out to hug her little sister. She uncaps her pen and writes,
'He is pretty hot!' The sister's laugh together and Beth feels the heat on her cheeks. Maggie takes a hold or her hand and writes out a little bit of sisterly advice.
'I don't know DD all that well, but it sure sounds like he likes you. I know he's quiet and keeps to himself, but Rick and Michonne are good people and they like him so that has to mean something, give it time Bethy. And if he does end up being interested in Andrea you're better off without the likes of him!'
As much as she doesn't like to, she'd had to agree. There isn't much else she can do. Hugging Maggie and promising to give her an update on everything later that evening, she hurries back home to change into a cream colored blouse and black capris. She's sticking to flats today, not that it matters. She wasn't wearing heels yesterday when she fell and Daryl caught her and almost kissed her. Shaking her head she gives her hair one last look and grabs her bag. She didn't bother with makeup because they'll just redo it once she gets to the property. Even though a lot of makeup isn't really her thing, this semi star treatment is fun and she's going to make the most of this just in case things go south.
Daryl makes sure he's on time. In fact, he's early. The property is right here on the outskirts of Senoia and that's a bonus. He likes that. Driving up to the place he likes the looks of it too. Of course, he won't be living anywhere near all the hubbub. He's hoping that, like the first property, he's able to build out and away from the B&B and maybe get lucky and have a pond or stream too.
If he really was lucky he'd get the girl. He snorts out a laugh at his idiocy and grabs his travel mug. He needed more that one cup of black coffee this morning along with a handful of aspirin. He didn't spend too much time in front of the mirror, but he figured he looked pretty good for a guy who drank most of the night. Now the sun is only causing a dull ache in the back of his skull and he's proud of the fact that even drunk he managed to wash his new jeans in preparation for filming today. He went with a gray t-shirt he only half hopes will meet Michonne's approval and his biker boots. Heading over to the lot where the trailers are parked he takes another quick drink of his coffee, relishing the burn.
Everyone is gathered around the craft services table. Everyone but Beth. He doesn't see her blonde head anywhere. The only other blonde head is brassy and poofy and he can feel the glare settling on his face as he approaches and sees her turn to smile at him.
"Look who made it on time! Good morning Daryl." He gives her a little nod and heads around the other end of the little group of tables to where Rick is standing.
"Morning Daryl," Rick says holding out a cinnamon roll. "Try these things! They're amazing." The sight of it makes Daryl's stomach roll. Sugar is the worst thing he can do when he has a hangover. Holding his hand out he just shakes his head.
"No? What you hungover?" Rick takes a closer look. "You are! What'd you do hit the bar with our producer over there? She's been eyeballing your ass since we started this thing. I have no idea why?" Rick is snickering behind his hand and Daryl leans in real close.
"Fuck you!"
"Well, at least I can't smell the whiskey on your breath! And I'm just messing with you man. 'Sides I think you like our pretty little realtor, don't you?"
"Can ya just shut up?" Daryl grabs a plain bagel. It should be safe to eat.
"Yeah okay. I'll shut up." Rick is still smiling but he's quiet.
"Where she at?" Daryl asks, trying to sound nonchalant.
"Who? Oh, you mean Beth?" Daryl just glares at him because he's smiling again. "You're early. I'm sure she'll be- oh there she is now."
Daryl turns, like everyone else and watches as Beth pulls in.
"Great! Looks like everyone is here. Let's get started!" Andrea claps her hands and if she's expecting them all to jump, she's gonna be let down. Michonne follows her to the trailers and Rick heads towards the house with Carol. Daryl just stands there, hands in his pockets, waiting. He wants to see Beth, tell her good morning. Mainly he just wants to see her.
"Daryl!" It's Carol and she's waving him in her direction. Daryl glances over at Beth, but she's still sitting in her car. Maybe she doesn't want to see him and she's waiting until he leaves. Well, that's too bad. He isn't waiting anymore. Giving Carol a wave he calls,
"Hang on, be right there." And then he heads towards Beth's car.
Beth looks up and sees Daryl headed in her direction. And he looks so good in his t-shirt and jeans. She fumbles with her door and starts to step out. She hears laughter and when she looks back towards Daryl, Andrea is there sliding her arm in his and leading him away. She's jabbering on about something and Daryl cranes his neck to look over at her, but no; she just keeps standing stupidly by her car.
"This is so…" she mumbles to herself. Feeling tears prick at the back of her eyes she grabs her bag and heads toward the makeup trailer, avoiding looking over at Daryl and Andrea. Just as she's walking up to the trailer, Amy one of the makeup artists walks out.
"Hi, Beth!" Amy is her age. She's also Andrea's sister. "I was just looking for you. You're with me this morning." The young woman glances over at Andrea and Daryl who have stopped at the end of the walkway up to the house. "Every time we work with a semi attractive man my sister has to practically throw herself at them. It's so embarrassing! The last guy was married even! Oh! I probably shouldn't be saying all this to you. Please don't say anything okay? I'll get fired and I need this job."
"Fired? By your own sister?" Amy rolls her eyes.
"Andrea is determined to be successful no matter what. In my opinion, she tries too hard and isn't ever happy! Come on let's get you ready to go!"
A few minutes later, makeup in order, Beth and Michonne head towards the house. On the way over Michonne confided in Beth that she thinks Andrea is 'losing it' and Beth has to agree as they walk over to the area in the front yard where filming is taking place and hear her yelling at one of the camera men.
"Really Eugene?" She's standing over the man as he kneels over a camera he's apparently dropped.
"I specifically requested new straps for this camera, Andrea. I told-" he's trying to explain and Beth can see the frustration in the set of his features. Why her gaze is drawn to Daryl's she isn't sure but she's surprised to see the grimace on his face. He looks up and catches her eye. He gives her a small smile and goes and kneels by Eugene.
"Ya need some help?" Beth hears the concern in his voice. And the kindness.
"Bob can you please take over here! Bring in the backup camera. Eugene just get that one out of here. Let's go people." Andrea is shaking her head and looking at all of them like they're children she needs to reprimand. Beth watches as Daryl helps Eugene lift the heavy camera and carry it off.
"Daryl we need you here," Andrea says.
"Gonna help him first." Of course, he is. Beth feels a smile upturn her lips and catches Daryl's eye again as he walks off. Daryl may think Eugene is weird, but he isn't going to let Andrea just bully him without stepping in. He did that with her yesterday too. He's a good guy. That makes her happy and sad at the same time.
"Andrea, we can get a shot of the yard. Bob's ready." Carol steps up and takes over. And filming begins.
"So today, we're home in Senoia, Georgia. This is the Veranda Bed and Breakfast that was built in 1906. It features nine guest rooms, with attached ensuite and sitting room. The guests have about seven thousand square feet of space to move around in, and the owner's quarters have about a thousand square feet of living space in an attached building." Beth stated proudly. She was so happy that she studied before because last night was such a wash to get anything accomplished.
"Is this all original?" asks Michonne, touching the pillars on the front porch.
"Yes, actually. Georgia heart pine floors, tin ceilings, elegant light fixtures and chandeliers, and eleven fireplaces," said Beth. "That's what makes this place so attractive but that's what adds to the price. This building is on the National Register of Historic Places so there are conditions that need to be fulfilled when purchasing this property, including keeping everything original."
"Could mean extra cost," says Rick, looking to his wife. Beth nods.
"It's a possibility but they have updated electrical and plumbing to fit in with the times so it's really all cosmetic details that you would really have to worry about."
"How much land is around here?" asks Daryl from the back of the group.
"We're on about three acres here, with the house and gardens taking up the majority of that. For building your cabin on, there is already a bridal cabin towards the far east, but it's right next to the garden sectioned off for weddings."
"And that's something we had discussed, possibly renting out a space for parties or weddings," Michonne adds.
"It would definitely be another source of revenue and this property tends to book out this place for weddings quite easily. Last year they had twenty weddings and fourteen formal parties so it's something to consider."
"So we might have to build his cabin somewhere else," Rick added.
"Probably. Unfortunately, that means digging new water and electricity lines, but there is lots of space on the outer portions of the property for Daryl to do that." Beth explains.
"Any water or fishing holes?" Daryl interjects.
"Not at the moment, but like I said, plenty of opportunity on the edge of the property."
"Let's get a look inside now," Carol whispers. Beth opened the front door and gestured everyone inside.
They made their way into the front entrance, which also served as the reception area and got the camera's setup in there. Carol was moving them all around and she got Daryl to stand closest to Beth this time. Although he wasn't in her complete eye-line, she could see him from the corner of her eye and she would probably have to look right at them as they filmed this segment.
They did share a smile before, but it still felt uncomfortable as she couldn't quite figure out what was going on between them. Was it one sided? Was it a mutual attraction? It was hard for her to figure it out with other people around her and a camera in their faces. She could feel the pull towards him, without looking she knew his eyes were upon her. This had to have meant something.
She briefed a glance up at him and could see him looking from behind his long hair. He looked away quickly but she caught him. She smiled and felt her cheeks heat up. Maybe she wasn't crazy and he did feel something for her.
"Okay, let's shoot this next scene," Andrea yelled out, backing away from the group. She saw both Michonne and Rick whispering to each other and giggling like school girls. It was so cute to see those two together and it was clear as day they loved each other so much. She wished for a love like that and once again, Daryl popped into her mind and she couldn't help blush again.
If only….
Not even an hour later, a sudden cloud cover rolls in forcing them to stop filming and make some changes to the lighting. Beth steps away from the group and peeks out the window in the living room. Rainstorms are her favorite and right now she wishes she was curled up at home with a hot cup of coffee and a good book. She finds herself wondering if Daryl likes the rain. And books. He definitely likes coffee, that she knows for sure. But there's so much she doesn't know. And she needs to stop thinking about him and focus.
Laughter from the group brings her back and she turns to head over to where the others are standing in the now brighter lights. Sighing she realizes brighter lights mean it's going to get warm and she's glad that Amy suggested they go light on the makeup.
Suddenly there's a little pop and the lights go out. It's dark, but not completely. As much as she loves rain, power outages give her anxiety and she hurries the rest of the way back over to the group.
Seconds after the lights cut out, the sky outside the big windows in the living room light up as lightning streaks across the sky. He sees Beth in the flash and there's a yelp from beside him, really close beside him and he feels a hand on his lower back that hurriedly moves over his ass and gives a quick squeeze.
"What the hell!" he grunts.
"Come on Daryl. No one can see…" Andrea drawls rubbing her other hand up his arm.
But someone can see. Beth is watching from where she's standing in the middle of the living room in front of those big windows. Lightning flashes again and he can see her eyes and what he sees isn't so different from the sad look she wore on her face yesterday. Except this time he put it there.
"Woman! Back off now." Daryl steps out of Andrea's grasp and looks around unsure of which direction to go. He feels like he's trapped. He can't go into the living room, can't face Beth right now and the other rooms are cast in shadows and they're foreign, he doesn't know his way around and he'll end up falling on his ass. So he heads for the only other available door. The front door.
"Daryl where you going?" Rick calls out to him.
"Going out for a smoke." It's raining now. Coming down in buckets. One of those freak summer storms that lasts all of five minutes. Long enough to ease his nerves with a cigarette he promised Michonne he wouldn't smoke and try and get Beth's face with those sad eyes out of his head.
He was right about the storm not lasting long. The rain's stopped but the clouds don't seem to be going anywhere. He hears voices and commotion from the inside and Michonne pops her head out and gives him a look. Michonne is an expert at looks, the only trouble is he has no idea what those 'looks' mean.
"Carol and Andrea are having a talk," she puts air quotes around the word talk, "so I suggest you get your ass upstairs and find Beth." Pushing the door completely open she folds her arms across her chest.
"What the hell ya talking about?" he grumbles.
"It may not be obvious to anyone else, but I can see it plain as the nose on your face. You two have been doing this dance since you first saw one another. I'm not saying you did anything wrong, but you need to at least set her straight." Then a little smile graces her face. "Or I can just hook you up with our producer. She's a peach!" Michonne snickers. Daryl pushes past her and heads for the stairs, the further away from Andrea and her grabby claws the better.
He finds her in the second room he looks in. She's running her finger over a blanket that's hanging over the footboard of a big brass bed. She jumps a little when he walks in.
"Sorry didn't mean to scare ya." Daryl says. She doesn't say anything and he wishes she'd say something. Anything. Her hand is so delicate and small. He could cover it completely with one of his. He watches as she runs it over the pattern on the blanket. "Guess people really like this kinda sh-, stuff huh?" Her silence is suffocating. "Look, Beth, what happened... It wasn't..."
"You don't have to explain Daryl. It's none of my business." She clasps her hands together in front of her.
"That woman, I ain't even-" he tries again to explain but she's turning away from him.
"I'm gonna go see what's going on." She doesn't even look back. Just leaves him standing there and he reaches out and runs a finger over the blanket Beth was looking at.
"Fuck."
Everyone is watching her as she comes down the stairs. She does her best to fake a smile. She's sure it's not working though.
"I was just checking out the guest rooms. They're beautiful-" Now all the eyes that were on her are on something, no someone behind her. Gritting her teeth, Beth tries to avoid looking in Andrea's direction, but she isn't successful. The other woman's face is tight and she looks anything but happy. The lights flicker and come back on and for a minute Beth is blinded by a light above the camera Bob is holding. She feels a hand on her elbow and he's behind her.
"Ya okay?" She steps away from him and mumbles something along the lines of 'I'm fine'. After a few seconds of awkward silence, Carol steps up.
"Oh for goodness sake, let's get moving here. It was just a little power outage. We're all Georgia natives and should be used to it by now! Okay, Andrea what was it you wanted to get accomplished before lunch?" Carol smiles at her partner brightly, but the enthusiasm isn't shared. Andrea holds up her clipboard and eyes everyone over the top of it.
"Let's get the shot in the entryway and then head into the kitchen. The audience loves kitchens!" Everyone breathes a collective sigh as Andrea reverts back to her perky self. Beth notices Rick and Daryl involved in a very heated discussion; well Daryl is heated, Rick just looks like he's trying not to laugh.
"Ya fuckin' owe me man, this shit, that woman." He's rubbing his face and Beth can't help but find it endearing even though her heart is heavy.
"I know, I'm sorry man, I swear. And I'm not laughing." But he is and Daryl punches him.
"Beth?! Hello?!" Beth bites her tongue and turns to face Andrea. "If you could just focus please." She takes Beth's arm and pulls her over next to Michonne.
"Wait I had Daryl there, Daryl!" Carol calls for him and Beth feels her throat constrict. Daryl stands next to Carol and she whispers something to him and he nods and stays there next to her, hands in his pockets, eyes anywhere but on her.
"No I think it should be Michonne and Rick in this shot, they're the buyers after all. Somebody get those other lights over here!"
Beth's nerves are frazzled. It's been one thing after another ever since the lights came back on. She keeps glancing over at Daryl and every time she does it hurts. And it's ridiculous because it's not like he was ever anything, but a friend. A new friend. It seems like she can't get anything right because her head is somewhere else.
Filming moved into the kitchen and Beth is supposed to be telling Michonne about the newly installed double ovens that will definitely be beneficial for breakfast time.
"So this stove-" Beth begins again.
"Oven," Andrea states tapping her clipboard. Beth looks at her and takes a deep breath.
"Oven, yeah. Um, this oven will be helpful, it has, um two-"
"You can't keep stumbling over your words Beth," Andrea says through gritted teeth.
"You're making her nervous Andrea," Carol whispers harshly. "Just let her speak and we will make it work." Andrea huffs in annoyance and leaves the room. Carol gives Beth a thin smile and nods her head. "Go ahead, Beth."
Now that Andrea's out of the room, Beth can feel her confidence come back and she focuses on the job at hand. She pushes all her insecurities away and speaks clearly.
"So the double ovens will make your meal planning go much faster, as well as the brand new grill and gas stove top. The pantry has its own separate room which you can fill up, its floor to ceiling shelving."
The rest of the explanations went okay, with Andrea keeping her distance from the group. She sticks to the back of the room which Beth appreciates. She could keep her focus on Michonne and Rick, and talk about the house and what it offers.
They break for lunch after finishing up in the kitchen and dining room. Daryl kept an eye on Beth and it didn't escape his notice that Andrea seemed to be coming down on her pretty hard. When she finally stepped back Beth did much better and seemed to find the confidence he'd admired from the first day of filming. And she's just so damn pretty.
Lunch is catered again. Sandwiches and cookies this time. Daryl didn't see Beth at the tables that had been set up near the trailers so he joined Michonne and Rick.
"Where's Beth?" Rick's looking at him, but Michonne answers.
"She had some phone calls to make. Said she wasn't hungry."
"Andrea's been pretty hard on her. I don't get it. Beth's doing fine. In fact, I think she's doing a great job." Rick wipes his mouth on his napkin and reaches for Michonne's cookie. She's staring at him and then settles her gaze on Daryl.
"Y'all really have no clue do you?" But Daryl does. A little anyway. He won't pretend to understand women. They are a mystery he never wanted to unravel. Until now.
"Me?"
"Daryl, Daryl, Daryl.." Michonne rests her head in the palm of her hand and suddenly he isn't very hungry anymore either. Standing he wraps his uneaten sandwich up and tosses his cookie in Rick's direction. He walks away from the trailers and scans the yard. Beth's out by the area that he assumes is the garden. She's pacing around with her phone held up to her ear. Girl has to be hungry though. She put away enough pizza for two people yesterday. Well, he's gonna try and fix this, fix it all. Michonne may think he's clueless, but he thinks he knows what's going on, but he honestly doesn't understand it. Could Andrea's flirting really be what's bothering Beth? That would mean she likes him, wouldn't it? Taking out his phone he taps in a number. A gruff voice not unlike his own barks out a 'Yeah'.
"Hey Merle, I need a favor."
After lunch they're back in the house in the guest room he'd found her in earlier. Andrea is also back with that fucking clipboard.
"So Beth do you think you can get through a simple description of the guest room? Or should we just depend on the voice over?"
Beth isn't even looking at Andrea. Her eyes are fixed on the wall in front of her. He notices the way she's got her bottom lip between her teeth, biting down on it hard enough that she's probably gonna draw blood.
"Well go ahead, let's see what you can do. We're pressed for time here." Twirling her pen Andrea waits. Everyone else shuffles around uncomfortably.
"We're okay on time Andrea," Carol states through gritted teeth.
"I…" She's shaking her head and he can see the tears even though she's trying to conceal them with her hand. That's it, he's done. Closing the space between them, he takes her hand.
"Com'on." He leads her out of the room and they're on the stairs when he hears Carol.
"We're done here. We didn't need this part. I'm taking Michonne and Rick out back to finish up. Go home Andrea." She sounds pretty pissed off and that makes Daryl happy.
Once they're outside Daryl isn't sure where to go, but Beth seems to know. She heads back towards the garden still holding his hand. Stopping beside a bench, she doesn't sit and she doesn't let go of his hand.
"She isn't very nice to me. I don't know why."
" 'S me. She, uh…" Daryl can't even say it.
"She likes you." Daryl grunts and runs his thumb along the side of Beth's hand.
"She ain't my type." Beth is watching him now. Curious.
"What is your type, Daryl?" He looks at her, but he can't say it. His mouth, like the rest of him, is stubborn and refuses to work. He shrugs.
"I'unno."
"What do you mean, l'unno? You have to have a type, Daryl."
He just looks into her beautiful blue eyes and hopes maybe she can see it there, everything he can't say. A little spark of recognition flashes on her face.
"Oh." It's small and quiet and the spell's broken by the familiar, tinkling music of an ice cream truck.
The world has suddenly tilted on its axis. Beth is standing here in a garden holding Daryl Dixon's hand and she thinks, no she's sure he just told her he likes her. Of course, he didn't say the words. But he didn't have to and now there's an ice cream truck coming up the road. It pulls over and honks and it has one of those old fashioned horns that sound more like a sick duck than an actual horn. Glancing over at Daryl she sees a tiny smile on his face and he squeezes her hand.
"Said ya liked ice cream and I know ya didn't eat lunch, so... wanna get an ice cream with me?" She can't decide if she's going to laugh or cry. Nodding her head the walk towards the truck. And it's like the ultimate ice cream truck. It's bright yellow and there's a giant banana split on top. 'Axel's Ice Cream Shoppe- on wheels!' is painted in a shiny silver paint and the little serving window even has purple checked curtains. A blonde man with a handlebar mustache and a baseball cap on poke his head out the window.
"Heard you were in the neighborhood Dixon, thought I'd stop by!" He's got a kind face and Beth feels like a little girl standing in front of this crazy truck.
"Hey, Axel. How's business?" Daryl asks.
"It's good. Better than being locked up." Beth raises her eyebrows at that, but Daryl's smiling and pulling her up to the window.
"Get Beth here whatever she wants." Beth's cheeks hurt from smiling and she peeks inside the truck. It's immaculate and there's even a soft serve machine.
"Lemme guess, vanilla soft serve?" Axel teases.
"Nah. Give'er chocolate. With some a them sprinkles." He looks at her but Beth doesn't see a question in his eyes, he's pretty certain he got it right. And he did.
"Daryl how did you know I love chocolate." Now she's laughing because everything that's happened today has been horrible. Except for this. He got her ice cream. He simply shrugs his shoulders and says nothing.
Once they receive their ice cream, he got the same as her, Axel left with his truck and left the two of them alone in the gardens. They sit on a stone bench and start to spoon their ice creams but Beth stops and looks over at Daryl.
"Are you even real?" Beth asks without a thought. It's the weirdest thing to say and Daryl seems to be just as confused as she is cause he kinda side eyes her. "Like, you brought an ice cream truck here. That's almost the equivalent of raising a juke box over your head and blaring a love song."
He chuckles at her joke.
"Like today has been a nightmare but you just made my day with this," she points to their surroundings.
"Didn't like seeing you sad," he replies back solemnly, looking at her through his long hair. Beth's heart feels like it's going to escape from her body, it's pounding so hard against her chest. She puts her ice cream cup down beside her and turns back towards Daryl. Placing a hand on his cheek she gives him a warm smile.
Then without a second thought, she leans forward and places her lips on his.