Cruz came out of his television coma long enough to call out, “Hey, my turkey carving kicked ass last year. We can’t all be surgeons like you.”
“Really? It looked like rabid dogs chewed on it first. Just to be safe, I hid the electric knife.” She smiled and held out a long, gleaming carving knife and fork to Dominic, who looked uneasily at them and sighed.
“You could save us all the pain of your critique, Ben, if you’d just carve it every year.”
“And miss the fun of showing you two up next year? Not on your life. Besides, you’re always bragging about how good you are with your hands, let’s see what you can do.”
Dominic stared at his sister. “You realize you just made a pass at me.”
The room was quiet for a moment. Then Daisy giggled, followed by Elena, and everyone joined in. And for once in the short time since she’d met her, Kate had the privilege of seeing Benny shut her eyes in mortification, completely speechless.
“No fair! That’s traveling,” Dominic yelled while Daisy cut him off. Their bellies full from dinner, Benny had wrangled everyone outside for a little activity to work off some calories. And to everyone’s surprise and relief, Daisy had not only agreed to participate, but she also had the familiar gleam of competitiveness back in her eyes.
The siblings held nothing back as they scrimmaged around the cement padding in the Sorensens’ backyard. Since Kate had no talent for basketball and a limited understanding of the rules, she’d begged to sit out to watch them and was joined by Dominic’s nieces, Jenna and Natalie.
From what she could tell, Dominic, Benny, and Paul were kicking Cruz and Daisy’s butts. But despite their loss, Daisy was laughing and throwing back the barbs they slung. Kate had never seen Daisy so lighthearted and happy in the short time she’d known her and had a sneaking suspicion it was due in large part to the check that had arrived Wednesday evening, as well as the fact it had actually cleared the bank.
According to Daisy, who’d stole
n Kate away after dinner to share the news, Leo had dropped it off personally and even took the kids to McDonald’s for ice cream. It was something. And despite the crap that Tim had given her about taking the case, the smile on Daisy’s face made it all worth it. Kate would never wish otherwise.
She watched Dominic and Cruz face each other, Cruz almost taunting as he pulled the ball back every time Dominic tried to steal it. But Dominic psyched him out on the next one and stole the ball and passed it to Benny, who threw it high. And scored.
“Point and tied,” Benny shouted and pumped her arm.
For a moment, Dominic looked back at Kate, and she received a rush as he smiled. She was completely under his spell.
“On that high note,” Daisy announced, “I think we should call it a game.”
Paul immediately objected but stopped when Daisy mentioned the fact the empanadas were ready, then raced his sisters for the door.
Dominic was out of breath when he reached Kate and extended his hand to give her a boost up. Unable to resist, she put her hand in his warm callused one, expecting him to lift her, but instead he ran his thumb across her skin, sending a shiver of pleasure shuddering through her. Then he pulled her up so she fell against his chest.
He was really playing up all the little public displays of affection tonight. Not that she was complaining as he stared down into her eyes, his own twinkling with mischief. Before she could blink, he pressed his mouth to hers and another bolt ran through her. Instinctively, her hand shot out to his chest, whether to push him away or bring him closer she couldn’t say, since as soon as the kiss started it was over and he was grabbing her hand and pulling her inside.
An hour later, the kids were in another heated game of Candyland while the adults sprawled out on chairs and couches. Dominic grabbed a blanket from the closet and after tucking a bottle of wine under his arm and grabbing two glasses, motioned her to follow.
The cold air that greeted them was even chillier than during the game and she shivered as she sat on the cold cement step until Dominic wrapped the blanket around them. His body was like a heat lamp, and she leaned toward him despite herself.
The biting air helped to cool the sudden flush of her cheeks at this new intimacy and she floundered for something to say. “They say it’s supposed to snow tomorrow.” Lame, but it filled the silence as he poured the wine. “At least I won’t have to worry about a heavy commute, since everyone will either be chilling at home or heading to the malls.”
“You’re working tomorrow?” He actually sounded disappointed.
She nodded. “I want to get a jump start on drafting the summary judgment motion on the McKenna case.”
Almost tentatively, he asked, “How’d it go, then? Did you get what you needed?”
“Enough to make a pretty good argument why this case should be dismissed.”
“Then we should celebrate.” He handed her a glass and held his up to hers. “Here’s to getting everything you want, Kate.”
Whether he was talking about her case, her promotion, or something more, she didn’t care. She raised her glass. Who wouldn’t want all the luck they could get? “Cheers.”
They each took a drink and stared up at the sky. The moon was hidden behind clouds and the night was impossibly dark, making it difficult to see Dominic’s face.
“So it’s next week?” he asked. “When they decide about your partnership?”
“Friday. I’ll be a bundle of nerves until then.”