Act natural. Breathe.
Glenda jumped up from her seat and bustled over. “Everyone, this is Kate. I’d tell you all to watch yourself or you’ll answer to me, but since she’s also a highly paid lawyer, I have a feeling she can take care of herself. You’re all forewarned,” she finished to laughter. She turned to Kate and gave her a wink. “Can I get you anything to drink?”
Kate nodded.
“I’ll take care of it. You go take a seat,” Dominic said to his aunt. “You’re the guest of honor.”
“Such a gentleman,” Glenda said. “Come sit down, Kate. You’ll find everyone scattered in here and the next room. But you’re welcome to sit wherever you’d like.” She patted Kate on the arm and returned to her seat.
Kate stood awkwardly for a second until Benny grabbed her arm and dragged her over to a table laid out with food. “Tip number one. In my family, grab any food that may tempt your palate now and decide later if you want it, because things go fast.”
There was an array of dishes to tempt her, but Kate wasn’t feeling hungry. Still, at Benny’s urging, she took some samplings of a few items and, without much choice, found herself settled in a seat between Benny and a tall, dark, brooding guy who, if he smiled, would look like a dead ringer for Dominic. Save for the guy’s dark, velvety-brown eyes. Dominic brought her a glass of white wine as Benny introduced her. “If the gray hair and wrinkles don’t tip you off, this is Cruz. The eldest of us four.”
Kate worked to bite back her own laughter at the annoyed look Cruz—who didn’t have a sign of a gray in his dark, shiny hair—leveled at his sister. “Nice to meet you, Kate. I see you’ve met the brat?”
“Behave yourself, you two. Is this how you act in front of strangers?” A small, petite woman with dark, wavy hair cut in a chin-length bob scolded them as she sidled next to Kate. Her dark eyes were friendly and bright as she surveyed Kate. “I see you’ve met most of my brood.”
This was Dominic’s mother? She didn’t know what she’d expected, but after meeting a number of terrifying mothers—Michael’s and Payton’s, cases in point—she was unused to such unabashed friendliness. Kate could see the obvious similarities between mother and son—particularly in the eyes. Mischievous. That’s all they could be described as.
“I’m Elena. Over there”—she waved her arm to a stern blond giant at the other end with clear blue eyes who didn’t seem likely to miss anything, even if his face didn’t register any emotion—“is my husband, Petter. Don’t mind the grumpy look on his face. Underneath the scowl he’s a big teddy bear, aren’t you, mi corazón?”
Kate watched as the stern-looking man’s face flushed and his mouth crept up a hair in what she guessed was a smile.
“My other daughter, Daisy, is over at the children’s table.” Ah. That was the heartbroken Daisy. Another beauty, with long, jet-black hair and dark brown eyes. This family had definitely hit the gene-pool jackpot.
Elena continued her introductions, pointing at the children surrounding her daughter. “That’s Daisy’s youngest, Paul. Across from them is Jenna, who just turned nine”—the little girl with serious, wide eyes smiled sheepishly—“and Natalie, who will be eight next month.”
This earned a big grin from Natalie. It was hard to miss the two front teeth missing. The kids were adorable, making Kate’s determination to convince Daisy to let her represent her in the divorce even stronger.
Dominic, she noticed, was lingering close by, leaning against the wall and holding a plate in front of him. But he wasn’t eating anything. Only watching. She quickly diverted her gaze back to Elena.
“I understand you and Dominic met because he’s helping you fix up your place, is that right?” Elena asked.
“Fixing? That might be putting it mildly.” Benny interjected. “It’s definitely a beautiful house, Kate, don’t get me wrong, but for myself? I’ll buy new every time. I’ve had enough leftovers my whole life that when I bite the bullet and get a house, ‘new’ and ‘upgrade’ will be the only words in my vocabulary. I’ve never understood the allure for old and antiquey, like Dominic.”
“Is that why your last boyfriend looked like he’d just graduated high school, Benny?” Dominic joked. “I worried a few times that he might need his mom’s permission slip to stay out past curfew.”
“Well, you know the saying, it’s easier to teach a new dog old tricks than an old dog…like you.”
Elena spoke over the laughter and teasing, obviously used to the banter. “Cruz, you’ll have to lend Kate and Dominic a hand. That doesn’t sound like something Kate can or should be tackling on her own. What about your family, Kate? Are they around to help?”
Kate looked up at the faces of Dominic’s family, and her heart ached for a moment. Other than her grandmother, she’d never really known what having a family meant. Until now. Fortunately, before she could respond, Dominic cut in. “Mama, let Kate eat. Let’s not overwhelm her with your inquisition. Give her at least until dessert.”
Dominic’s little nephew looked over as if just realizing his uncle had arrived. He raced over to Dominic, who swung his nephew up into his arms and tickled him while the boy giggled helplessly.
Kate felt a tug in the area of her womb.
Clearly seeing Dominic in such a nurturing role was playing crazy with her mind. It was making her think of impossible things. Impossible dreams. Because she and Dominic weren’t even right for each other. Had no common interests other than convincing people their charade was true.
Finally catching his breath, the little boy looked up at his uncle. “When are you going to let me come to work with you? I want to build things, too.”
Dominic set his nephew down and tousled the little boy’s thick hair. “If your mom says it’s okay, maybe I can bring you to the site next Monday.”
“Yes!” Paul cried and jumped up.
“Not so fast. You have kindergarten until noon.” Paul let out a cry of protest. “But I suppose afterward you could tag along,” Daisy added,
apparently not up for a fight.