Page 98 of Finding My Charming

“I’ll keep my fingers crossed.”

She carried a vegetable tray out to the patio table, and I turned to follow when the doorbell rang. This was it.

I took a glance back outside and prayed they wouldn’t embarrass me too much. I flung the door open and greeted a very happy-looking Dallin.

“Hi!” I stepped forward to hug him, and he pulled me against his chest before wrapping his arms tight around my shoulders.

“I missed you.”

“It’s been less than twenty-four hours.”

I felt him lean down and place a gentle kiss on the top of my head. “I missed you after one.”

Before I decided to ditch the barbeque and requested to run away with him, I took his hand and led him to the back yard.

Beth and Finn were lying on a chaise looking at something on his phone. Grandma was standing next to the table rearranging the plates of food my mom was setting out. April was sitting cross-legged on a chair wearing sunglasses and typing on her phone. Dad was the only one who seemed to notice we’d arrived. He pushed himself up from the chair and in a few strides, was in front of us.

“Hi, Mr. Benson. I appreciate the invitation to come over. It’s usually me bringing you the food.” Dallin laughed casually and seemed completely comfortable.

I watched my dad’s reaction and could tell he was trying to hold a stern, scary lawyer-face, but it didn’t last long when Dallin greeted him.

“Call me Bryce.” He finally cracked a smile and extended his hand to my soul mate. “This is an ironic change in circumstances, isn’t it?”

Dallin laughed and nodded. I admired him for taking this in stride. This was definitely a good sign.

Dad stepped back and gestured around. “Elle, why don’t you introduce him to everyone while we finish up with the food.”

I smiled at my dad, hoping he knew how much I appreciated him going easy on us, then squeezed Dallin’s hand.

I glanced around. April would probably ignore us, so I wandered first to Beth and Finn. They finally looked up at us when we got next to their chair. Finn jumped to his feet and held out his hand.

“Nice to meet you. I’m Elle’s brother-in-law, Finn.”

I stood back and observed their interaction. Finn had been a part of our lives for a while, and it was rare that I looked at my family from an outsider’s perspective. He was a good-looking guy, almost six feet tall with light brown hair that was always tousled. His family was primarily British, which was obvious in his regal looks. It was funny to see him having to look up to meet Dallin’s eyes.

“Pleasure to meet you, too. I’m Dallin.”

Finn smirked and helped Beth to stand. “I’ve heard a lot about you.”

Dallin smiled but shot me a questioning look.

“That would be my fault.” Beth stepped forward and reached out. “I’m the big sister and can’t keep secrets from him.” She nudged Finn with her elbow while shaking Dallin’s hand.

“I get that.” He winked at me, and butterflies came alive inside, a now-familiar feeling, but seeing him here around my family, laughing and interacting with them, made this all so real.

I was really hoping Dallin and Finn would hit it off so he would have someone to talk to about the secrets we kept. Everything would be easier for him to accept if he had another guy who wasn’t in the bloodline, to use as a resource for the answers to the questions he’d no doubt have.

Finn wrapped an arm around Beth’s waist, and I found myself wanting what they had.

“Elle told us that you took her rock-climbing. That’s quite a feat to get her to do anything outside, but she said she enjoyed it. You’ll have to show us what spot you took her to sometime. Beth and I really like hiking and climbing.”

Dallin nodded enthusiastically and shot me a teasing look. “Anytime. I’m sure Elle can’t wait to go back.”

I gently shoved my elbow into his side. “It might take some convincing now that the adrenaline has worn off.”

“We’ll talk later.” Finn gave Dallin a conspiratorial look before turning and leading Beth toward the food table.

“I heard you already met the rest of my family at the restaurant, but do you still want introductions?”