Wow, she had totally transformed under the glow of Kip’s love for her. It was a little uncomfortable to witness, partly because Dillon had never experienced something like that, and partly because he felt like he shouldn’t be staring at it.
Alec turned his mischievous eyes to Dillon and Lina. “I think Dillon should go next.”
Of course. Because there was no way not to compare whatever Dillon was about to say with that love fest. He couldn’t top Kip’s speech, even if he wanted to.
Dillon lifted his glass. Words like ‘good sport’ and ‘terrific liar’ crossed his mind. Lots of romantic potential there. Lina watched him, her lips pressed together like she was trying not to laugh.
“Words aren’t quite adequate for how I feel about Lina.”
“Try,” Josie called out helpfully.
Lina took his hand and held it against her heart, her eyes egging him on. It was only acting. He could do this.
“You added color to my dull existence, Lina. I look forward to our workout every morning because starting my day without you in it doesn’t feel right. Here’s to more time together. I can’t wait.”
“Aww, kiss her,” Mom so helpfully suggested.
There wasn’t a good reason not to comply. Lina gave him an almost imperceptible nod, and he quickly closed the distance between them with a small peck. Before he could back away, Lina wrapped one hand behind his neck as leverage and pressed her lips to his for just a bit longer—enough for him to know that she was an amazing kisser, and that, all inhibition and audiences aside, he’d want nothing more than to continue it.
His heart beating in double time, he turned to listen to Josie’s speech, hoping he didn’t look as dumbstruck as he felt inside. It would help if his breathing went back to normal. That kiss was part of the ruse. All an act. His peck had been a little too staid, so Lina smoothed things over, making them look like a real couple.
Josie finished her speech, and he clapped with everyone else, having not heard a word of it.
***
Lina wasn’t used to flustering guys with a small kiss. She usually dated men who liked to flirt, who wanted to make out for the heck of it, who saw her as a fun date, but not someone to think of in any serious way. And it took her a few minutes to reconcile the feelings of hurt that sprang up in addition to the feelings of elation. The look of wonder and possibility she’d seen in Dillon’s eyes was hard to blink away. But she had to. She had to forget whatever she thought she’d seen. Because Dillon wasn’t thinking of her in a serious way. He’d brought her to play a part.
She lifted her glass for the beginning of Rick’s speech, but finally lowered it along with everyone else when it went on and on with no end in sight. Alec had only been slightly exaggerating when he’d said the man could go on all night. “…And when I see the world below, so small and fragile-looking; it reminds me how precious this time is with family and friends, how much we need to cherish each moment together and show our gratitude and thanksgiving for all we have.” The last of Lina’s mashed potatoes and gravy were calling to her. She wanted to eat them before they went cold. She glanced around, and reassured that everyone else was sneaking bites while pretending to pay attention, she did it too.
“… So, in closing, I’d like to thank my beautiful wife, Brenda, for all she does for this family. And I’d like to thank all of you for being here.”
He sat down, and Brenda jumped up. “And now, it’s time for dessert.”
Lina went to help her. She uncovered the cake she’d brought, checking the frosting to see if it had hit against the sides of her cake carrier.
“Oh, that looks amazing!” Brenda said it like a pat on the head, and Lina had to remind herself that Brenda thought she was a bad cook. Lying was the worst. If she hadn’t pretended to be a disaster in the kitchen to distract Brenda from overwhelming Kip’s girlfriend, the two of them could have bonded over their love of baking.
Brenda had made two apple pies, and she brought them out, one on each palm, with Lina following, carrying her cake.
Lina served a big piece to Dillon first and smiled in satisfaction when he took a bite and clearly enjoyed it.
“Is that pumpkin?” Trent asked. “I’ll take a slice if it is.”
She cut him a generous slice and watched as he sniffed it and took a tiny exploratory bite before digging in. “Great flavor,” he said, nodding his fork at her.
Except for his dark hair and tan complexion, Trent didn’t look much like Dillon. He was tall and wiry while Dillon was muscular and stocky, and while Dillon’s expressions were serious and understated, Trent had a rubbery face that lent itself to delivering whatever emotion happened to strike him at the moment.
What must it have been like to grow up in a household of strong personalities like this? Lina tried to imagine it—Josie, holding her own as the only girl with all these brothers, Dillon the dutiful middle child, keeping the peace.
She glanced at Alec, wondering where he fit. Class clown? As if to demonstrate, he reached over and stole a bite of Josie’s pie when she wasn’t looking. She didn’t notice so he did it again, more obvious this time, earning him a punch in the arm when Josie caught him.
Lina didn’t have any siblings, at least not any that she knew about. Her mom had rarely talked about Lina’s dad, only saying it was a part of her life she’d set behind her, that she hadn’t known him well, and it was better he didn’t know about Lina at all. Lina had trusted her on that for a long time. Maybe Mom would prove to be right, but Lina desperately wanted to know where her dad was right now and what he would think if he knew she existed. Hopefully one day soon she’d find out.
Dillon touched her arm and slid his warm fingers down to her wrist. “The cake was amazing.”
“Thanks.” The gesture was for show, but his compliment felt genuine.
He picked up their empty plates and stood, running a quick hand across her shoulders before taking the dishes to the kitchen. Every light touch from him was like cotton candy, delicious and gone in a moment.
