“They would never judge you like that.” He had realized over the past few days that her mother’s sky-high expectations had done a number on her, something he hadn’t really seen when they’d first met. “They’re going to be glad to have you here because I’m so freaking glad to have you here. Okay?”
She looked incredibly beautiful in a hot-pink dress she’d shopped for the day before back in Norfolk. Strapless and embroidered with tiny glittery bits, the dress glowed just like she did in the light spilling from the house onto the lawn. She wore a ring in the shape of a kitten on one finger, a nod to her whimsical side. But her dark hair was pulled back in a glittery clip, a picture of sexy elegance. As much as he’d rather pull her back to the gatehouse and take her hair down, he knew this night was as important for her as it was for him. Her chance to get to know his family.
“Okay.” Nodding, she allowed him to lead her down the steps near the rock garden where he used to play hide-and-seek as a kid. “Sorry to be so anxious when this night is a chance for your family to welcome you home.”
“About that.” He’d seen all his family members privately this afternoon at one time or another. “They’re welcoming out-of-town wedding guests who are spending the week here as much as me, so don’t think I’m going to ditch you to hang out with my Aunt Gladys or anything. I’m your date and I’m not going anywhere.”
Not unless she chased him off anyhow. He still couldn’t believe she was here with him, that she’d looked him up after all these years. God, he’d dreamed about her so often. Blown off so many opportunities to date other people—and when he had dated, it had been halfhearted at best. He lifted her hand and kissed the backs of her fingers while the chamber musicians switched to something a little more lively. The tune was a soft counterpoint to the laughter gaining volume as folks gathered around the scattered canopies that sheltered the food and the bars.
“There’s my brother Kyle. We’ll start with him so you know someone before we make a big entrance.”
“We sort of met on the plane, right?” Her blue eyes went to Kyle, the tallest of his brothers except for their foster brother, Axel, who was huge.
“Right.” Danny flagged down Kyle and his girlfriend, Marissa. “Stephanie, this is Kyle, your friendly neighborhood power forward for the Philadelphia Phantoms. Kyle, this is Stephanie.”
Heaven knew she needed no introduction. Kyle especially had reason to recall exactly who she was from that old argument they’d had. His eyes flicked over his brother’s nose and damned if it wasn’t straight again.
“Nice to meet you.” Kyle was Mr. Debonair in his tuxedo and real haircut, an obvious upgrade since he’d met his girlfriend. “This is my girlfriend, Marissa Collins. She’s a matchmaking guru back in Philly, so if you guys want any relationship advice...”
Marissa stepped forward to shake Stephanie’s hand, a pair of cat’s-eye-shaped glasses perched on her nose. “Despite what Kyle says, I’m not here in an official capacity. How lovely to meet you.”
“I love your outfit,” Stephanie said in reference to the silver lace dress the other woman wore. “It looks like something from a red carpet premiere in the fifties.”
Marissa smiled. “I like shopping for vintage pieces. I usually find great things, and it fits the budget.”
“What budget?” Kyle teased.
“Not all of us rake in money for advertising endorsements,” she reminded him drily, although she winked while she did so.
Danny was interested in the dynamic there. Kyle seemed utterly taken with his new girlfriend and he’d heard they’d moved in together shortly after meeting. How had the guy managed it so fast? If Danny didn’t start making progress with Stephanie soon, he would have to ask. He’d waited for her for too long not to make major strides forward in his limited time home.
He was about to introduce Stephanie to Axel when the chamber music suddenly came to a halt. A hiss of microphone feedback filled the air and Danny had the feeling his time to escort Stephanie around was about to get interrupted.
“Ladies and gentlemen, if I may have your attention please?” An unknown speaker took the mic, probably one of the dudes in the orchestra.
“I might have to go shake a few hands,” Danny whispered in Stephanie’s ear, hating to leave her side.
“I’ll be fine,” she assured him, although he knew that she was nervous about being there.
Damn it. He should have brought her to the house earlier to introduce her around and make sure she felt comfortable but he’d hadn’t been able to keep his hands off her.