Page 108 of Beni

“You got it.”

“Good.”

Her father chuckled, a warm sound, really. It surprised August because she had been so sure that this conversation was going nowhere good. And yet, just like that, it seemed to change entirely without warning.

That was her parents, though.

In a damn nutshell.

Ada passed her daughter a wink, and smile. “See … although, this Chicago business. Your father is going to worry, whether you like it or not. You know he didn’t want you going back there until things calmed down.”

Yeah.

So, her dad hadn’t been too happy about that.

Win some, lose some.

“I’ll be fine,” she said, “and you can keep telling him that. It’s only for the weekend.”

For now, she added silently. She had other plans about when she was going back permanently, and hopefully that would be soon. Until then, she was just going to ease her parents into that idea slowly. Fingers crossed that it worked.

Ada shook her head, nodding her head toward the plated chicken. “Grab a couple plates, and help me serve, please.”

“Sure, Ma.”

Beni’s gaze was already turned on August the second she entered the dining room. He didn’t hesitate to get up from his chair, and help her handle the plates with chicken, either. His hand found the small of her back, helping her into a chair while pressing a quick kiss to the side of her temple and murmuring, “Do they like me, you think?”

She laughed under her breath.

“I think so,” she replied at the same level.

Beni nodded.

All the while, August was acutely aware of her parents watching the two of them, but she did her very best to ignore it. More than anything, she wanted Ada and Cameron to love Beni … sure, there were things about him and his lifestyle that were concerning, but it was underneath all of that which counted the most. That was a lesson she had needed to learn over and over again in her own life, and one her parents repeated to her when people judged them without knowing anything about their family and love.

She expected they would offer the same respect to Beni, and so far, they had done exactly that. She appreciated it.

He was a good man.

He treated her well.

And she loved him.

Beni was quick to take the seat next to hers, his hand snaking over to rest upon her thigh as they all started to grab what they wanted for food. It was only after grace had been said that they started eating, though.

“So,” her father said, pointing a fork at August, “I expect a phone call while you’re in Chicago … just to be safe, and I expect Beni will keep you out of trouble.”

“Absolutely.”

She shot the man next to her a look.

He only shrugged.

“Everything will be fine,” she told her dad.

Cameron sighed. “And yet, I still worry.”

Story of her life …