“It mentioned no such thing,” Daisy said, biting back her laughter.
“And here we thought Cruz and Payton’s hasty tequila-induced Mexican wedding had actually managed to top the craziness of Dominic and Kate’s fake relationship. Getting fake engaged to the future governor definitely takes the cake.” She laughed uncontrollably again.
“Well, I wouldn’t say that Henry’s Eliza Dolittle-ing of you last year just so you could impress what’s-his-name was any more sane.”
“It was definitely the bes
t insane decision I could have made.” Daisy didn’t have to see her sister’s face to know that it was radiating happiness. “I just want to be sure to have a front-row seat when you explain this all to Mom and Dad when they get back from their cruise this weekend. Anyway, what’s the plan? How long are you guys going to keep this up before the big breakup? Because, you know, if you stretch this long enough, I would love a chance to get the insider’s view of the Governor’s Mansion, not to mention the inner chambers at the Capitol.”
Daisy sat down and stared out the window where the kids had wrestled Jack to the grass and were nearly drowning him with their water guns.
“Hello? You still there?” Benny asked.
“I don’t know. Things have recently become a little more…complicated. We haven’t really talked about that yet.”
Benny was silent for a moment. “Funny thing, when I saw those pictures of you all out sailing and fishing, you seemed like you were really having a good time. And the way you both looked at each other when you were out on the dance floor? I don’t know, Dais,” she said, “it didn’t feel fake to me. Do you like this guy?”
The words were so familiar that Daisy was almost certain she’d used the same on Benny last year when she’d been in denial about her real feelings for Henry. But even if they were real, Henry hadn’t been the future governor of the state. He didn’t have a daughter and three million other people relying on him to make decisions. And Benny didn’t have children whose hearts and hopes needed to be protected if, for whatever reason, the relationship didn’t work out.
“I don’t know. Maybe I do. But whether I like him isn’t relevant to the situation.”
“Isn’t relevant? Whether you like him is everything, you dope.”
“Benny, think about what Leo has put my kids through over the past couple of years. All the broken promises. He always chooses every other priority over his own kids. If I bring someone into their lives, I need to be certain that person is going to stick around. That he won’t leave them disappointed and heartbroken.”
Benny sighed. “I can see why you’d feel that way, and no, I haven’t spent time with you all to see this connection in person—something I hope will be rectified this Sunday at family dinner—but…I think that from what I can see in those photos. You’re already invested. So rather than worrying about what could go wrong, focus on seeing what wonderful things are possible. Look, I have to run, we’re going to a barbecue over at Henry’s sister’s place and, since he’s the grill master—his words, not mine—we probably shouldn’t be late. But, Daisy? If you want any advice from your little sister? Go all in.”
Daisy stared at the now disconnected phone for a moment before setting it down, returning her gaze to Jack outside.
Go all in?
That’s what she was afraid of doing. It was getting out that had her terrified.
Daisy tried to still her nerves as she watched Jack bite into the poblano and cheese-stuffed empanadas she’d made for lunch. Not that she needed his approval, but it was a recipe she’d been tweaking for weeks and she thought she’d finally reached the right balance with the cotija cheese and spices. In fact, she was hoping that this one, along with the dessert empanada next to it, might be her own Big Mac so to speak—her mainstay entrées—for her new bakery.
Paul, her human guinea pig, already was halfway through his and eying his sister’s. But her son wasn’t always the best test subject since spicy for him was inferno to someone like Glenda. Which was why for those with more sensitive buds, Daisy’d made a milder version, like the ones in front of everyone but Paul and Jack. Lily was waiting for her dad’s verdict before she tried hers.
Jack’s empanada was what she’d consider possibly a level three or maybe even a four on a sliding scale of one to five, thanks to the added kick of a small serrano pepper she’d added to the mix. Not that she’d shared that with him.
“Oh my God. That’s…really good,” Jack said, and she studied him closely, trying to see if he was being sincere. He took another even bigger bite and was eating it when she noticed his face starting to look a little flushed. “It gains a little heat as you eat it, doesn’t it?” he asked after swallowing, holding his mouth open a touch as if he was trying to cool it off.
“Oh, you’ll get used to it. Maybe another bite will help?” she asked, trying not to laugh at the tiny beads of sweat appearing on his forehead. “Girls, how are yours?”
Jenna and Natalie, her painfully slow eaters, took another bite and set them down to resume coloring their pictures as they chewed, looking none the worse. Having witnessed the girls enjoying theirs, Lily picked hers up and took a bite. “Hmm. Pretty good,” she said and took another.
Daisy smiled and turned to Jack, who was trying to surreptitiously wipe his forehead with the back of his hand. “You doing okay, Jack?”
He took another bite and tried to smile. “They’re really good.”
“Let me get you another,” she said evilly.
But the last bite might have been too much and Jack suddenly dropped it and went to the fridge to grab the milk, quickly pouring some in a glass then gulping it down.
Daisy burst into laughter, holding her side as she watched him.
He shook his head. “I don’t know how they do it. Lily? It isn’t too hot for you?”
“No, Dad. Not really,” she said, glancing at him with amusement.