Page 105 of Brides and Brothers
Daisha frowned. “Are you upset?”
Benson sighed, turned, and rested his back against the wooden rail. “You could say that.”
“I won’t be offended if you don’t want to talk about it, but since we’re both outside and all, you know your secrets are safe with me.” She took a deep breath before adding, “How about a secret for a secret?”
“An exchange, huh?” Benson shoved his gloved hands into his coat pockets and toed the snow with his boot. The time he took to respond was always drawn out, like he was composing each word in careful order before he spoke. “I think that would be best.”
Camille pulled back. She didn’t want to be privy to any secrets. Was this really what Daisha wanted?
“I’ve been wanting to talk to you about something, but now I’m not sure I’m ready,” Daisha finally admitted.
Benson turned away from her. “Do you think you’ll date Derek again?”
Daisha blinked. “Derek? No, definitely not.”
“You’re just not ready to date other people?” Benson practically whispered his question, but his gaze locked with Daisha’s again.
“No. I mean, yes. I want to date. But dating and info-dumping are not the same thing.”
Benson’s eyebrows quirked. “You really think so? The way I see it, communication is the key to a good relationship.”
“I figured you felt that way.” She blew out her breath, a line of white visible in the air. “Fine. My secret? My favorite movie isThe Lion King.”
Camille’s face screwed up with confusion.The Lion King? Daisha had once said that someday she’d tell Camille whyThe Lion Kingmessed up her life. She moved forward again, needing to know what Daisha was about to say. This was why Daisha had wanted her to hear her conversation—she was finally ready to share this part of her past with Camille.
“I didn’t just watch it for the music but because I was fascinated about the part where Mufasa dies. I was terrified my dad was going to come home one night from drinking too much and die.”
Benson gaped at her, and Camille’s heart pounded. Why hadn’t Daisha told her before?
“Thanks for telling me,” Benson replied.
“Thanks for telling you my dad is an alcoholic and I’m messed up because of it? I don’t understand.”
Benson reached out and tentatively put his large hand over Daisha’s. “I had a long talk with your dad on Monday,” he said. “Marvin and I are best friends now.”
Marvin? Daisha was not going to like that Benson had talked to her dad. Camille clasped her hands together.Come on, Benson. Fix this!
Then Daisha laughed, completely surprising Camille. “I should be really, really upset that you even talked to him. I was angry when I thought you talked to my mom about this whole kidnapping thing, but my dad is another story. My whole life I’ve kept this a secret. I even dropped out of college with the excuse that I wasn’t interested, but really it was so I could take care of my family. Even Camille didn’t know the truth.” Daisha’s gaze moved from Benson to the window where Camille stood, her expression apologetic. “It wasn’t just that I was ashamed and wanted to keep our family business private but because I didn’t want her to convince me to stay in school and remember my own needs.”
Camille’s throat tightened, and she gave Daisha a nod to show there were no hard feelings.
Daisha nodded once in return and turned back to Benson. “But since you and Marvin are best friends, I can’t be too mad, can I?”
“We’re like this.” Benson crossed his fingers.
His words were out of character and made Daisha laugh again. “I’m always caught off guard when you make a joke.”
Benson frowned. “Why?”
“You’re generally so serious.”
“I hope that’s a good thing.”
“Derek was always pretty serious too.” Benson’s face dimmed at the mention of Derek. “But after that potato joke, I can’t think of you the same way anymore.”
Benson locked eyes with her. “I know lots of jokes like that.”
Daisha raised her brow. “About kissing or potatoes?”
