“I wouldn’t say…shrieking. But when a cockroach big enough to physically carry me out the door nudges my foot, I think my reaction was absolutely reasonable.” But she was laughing along with everyone else.
Benny sneaked a glance at Henry, who was chuckling, looking the picture of relaxation with his natural debonair charm and one of her nieces on each side of him—clearly besotted from the way they both fought to sit next to him. Despite the humiliating moment before dinner when she’d been pinned underneath him, the weight of his body on hers not entirely uncomfortable, Henry had taken everything in stride. Even her brothers’ attempts to drill him on his sports facts, which she’d been surprised to find were remarkably keen, hadn’t broken so much as a sweat on his too-handsome face.
Now he sat back, his entire plate of fish tacos devoured, looking for all purposes like he belonged here among her family. She got the feeling that Henry naturally fit in any place he went, with his easy and teasing smile, his quiet confidence and way of making everyone like him.
Well, almost everyone. Cruz and Dominic had barely thawed, but no surprise there. Always overprotective.
Dominic was studying her now, his face perplexed. “What have you done? You look…different.”
Of course that drew everyone’s gaze to her, and she felt her face flush uncomfortably under the attention. “What do you mean? I haven’t really done anything different.”
Payton was staring at her with more careful scrutiny. “He’s right. You look great, but I can’t quite put my finger on what it is…”
Benny hadn’t wanted to do the whole glamour girl style that she’d been doing at work for family dinner, wanting to avoid this exact scrutiny. But she also enjoyed how she felt and looked when she took twenty extra minutes to brush her hair to a shine before drawing it back to a loose ponytail and slipping in silver hoop earrings, applying a touch of makeup to her eyes and lips so her face felt brighter and more…polished.
She’d never realized before how just taking a few moments could make her feel so much more confident. Not that she’d ever have Payton’s stunning prettiness, Kate’s strong and beautiful features, or her own sister’s natural dark beauty. But Benny was a strong finisher now, and she knew that people noticed her more—men particularly. And she didn’t…hate it.
“I like it,” Kate said firmly.
“Are you wearing…makeup?” Cruz asked incredulous. “What was wrong with how you looked before? Who are you trying to impress? Did someone make you feel like you weren’t good enough as you were?” His gaze, though, was on Henry, and he looked like he wanted to challenge him.
“Enough, everyone. Leave Benny alone,” her mom intervened. “She’s a professional. A doctor lady now, and she can’t stay eighteen forever. She looks like…a pretty doctor.” Her mother smiled and nodded toward her.
“Thanks, Mama.” Benny glanced again at Henry, who was studying her with his own strange glint in his brown eyes. “The tilapia was seasoned perfectly,” she said to distract everyone from her face, and motioned toward the last bite of her fish taco on her plate.
“Lime zest,” her mom said, nodding. “You just need a hint of zest and salt.”
“Hey, don’t I get any credit for grilling the fish?” her dad asked, a faint smile around the edges of his mouth. He winked at her before taking another taco from the platter.
Well, the worst was over. No one was telling her she looked ridiculous. No one said she was trying too hard to be someone she wasn’t. And the thing was, right now, with her family surrounding her, the strange swirl of excitement in her belly growing as Henry continued to watch her, she felt exactly like who she was meant to be.
“Okay,” she said and tossed her napkin on the table. “I think it’s time Henry and I took on the two geriatric brothers in a little game out back. You up for it, Henry?”
“I think I can hold my own.”
“We’ll see,” Cruz and Dominic said at the same time.
Chapter Eleven
“How’s your head?” Benny asked and threw a glance over to Henry.
She was back in the driver’s seat of his car, a few minutes from home. It was a fair question, considering the possible mild concussion she’d caused earlier that day, but far more pertinent now after the “accidental” elbow to his head when he’d attempted a jump shot during their scrimmage earlier. Cruz and Dominic were denying accountability.
“Not too bad.” He opened the visor and lifted the front of his hair to look at the darkening bruise near his hairline.
“You probably should take a couple more Tylenol before bed—just avoid ibuprofen. Sorry about what happened. My brothers tend to turn into complete idiots whenever Daisy or I bring guys home. But I think Kate and Payton have mellowed them a bit—or age. You actually got off easy compared to many who’ve gone before you.”
“Good to know. I feel much better.” But he smiled, not looking particularly concerned. “Believe it or not, I liked them. They kind of grow on you. All of your family, actually. They were all so…kind.”
“I’m afraid you came away with a little fan club tonight,” she said, remembering the way Jenna and Natalie had cheered them—and by them, she meant Henry—on from the sidelines. They were adorable, fawning over him like they had. “Something I’m sure you’re used to.”
But he didn’t seem to notice her teasing. In a quiet voice, he said, “You’re very lucky to have them.”
And she was reminded again of what he’d said earlier about living in his mother’s house, vying for attention but failing. “Tell me about your family. Is it just you and your sister? Is your dad still in the picture?”
“My dad died a long time ago.”
“Oh. I’m sorry.”