She hurried up the stairs, Wolf at her heels.
Jessica was at the case that displayed the Egyptian pieces. She turned and offered Danni a broad smile and then saw Wolf.
“Oh!” she said.
“He’s friendly as can be—just big.”
“He looks like a wolf!”
“Only part wolf,” Danni said.
“Nothin’ but a big old cuddly bear,” Billie said, walking over. “Come meet him. Best dog in the world, and knows a friend right away.”
Jessica looked nervously at Danni.
“Honestly, he’s a doll. I promise.”
Jessica went to the dog and patted his head. “Hello, Wolf.”
Wolf wagged his tail.
Looking at Danni, Jessica smiled. “He is gorgeous. And nice. I don’t know why, but I’ve always been afraid of big dogs. Maybe he can cure me.”
“You have to watch out for any dog you don’t know,” Danni said. “Don’t just go petting the next Rottweiler you see. Always ask.”
“I will, I promise. Anyway, I was just really stopping by to say hi, since we met last night and I’ve been here so many times without seeing you,” Jessica said. She lifted the shopping bag she’d been carrying. “I had to run down to the corner store before work. I have a little one, and I have to make sure my mom is set before I leave each night.”
“A toddler? How nice,” Danni said. “Boy or girl?”
“I have a little boy. Cutest little thing you’ve ever seen, if I do say so myself,” Jessica said, blushing.
“Congratulations,” Danni said. She smiled. “I’m surprised none of the band has mentioned him to me. He must be adorable.”
“Oh, the guys have never seen him,” Jessica said. “I don’t want to bring my child to a bar. I keep a low profile, you know. Sad to say, but you make better money when frat boys and businessmen see you as a cute young thing instead of a mom. My son is my real life, and I like to keep it separate, you know?” She smiled. “Anyway, I just wanted to stop by. I’m on Royal, too, but closer to Esplanade. It was just so nice to meet you and Quinn. And of course I already knew Billie. He always makes shopping here a pleasure.”
“I do my best,” he said.
“Well, hope to see you again soon,” Jessica said.
“Actually, you’ll see us very soon. We’re going to come and sit in for a few numbers with the band tonight,” Danni told her.
“Cool,” Jessica said. “That’s really great.”
She seemed genuinely enthused. In fact, she sounded relieved.
Danni didn’t press her for a reason, since Jessica was already heading to the door, suddenly seeming anxious to get going. “I’ll see you there, then,” she called.
And then Jessica was gone.
“That was interesting,” Billie said. “A more transparent setup for a conversation I’ve never seen. That girl certainly wants you and Quinn there tonight—badly, so it seems to me.”
Danni looked at him. “You’re going to be there, too.”
“I am?” He sounded suddenly nervous.
“Suck it up, Billie. You can play, and you know it. So you’ll definitely be in the band. Now if you’ll excuse me, I’ve got to go figure out what I’m going to wear.”
“Now, wait a minute, Danni Cafferty! I just happened to be okay on that instrument last night. Bands practice together, and I haven’t practiced with this group.”
“I’ve heard musicians who’ve never even met before just start jamming together, and it was magic.”
“Not me. I’m a practice man.”
She paused to grin at him. “Stop complaining—you’re going to love it!”
“You’d best be careful,” he told her. “Put me on the spot, will you? Careful, lass, or I’ll be bringing me bagpipes.”
Chapter 6
DANNI, QUINN THOUGHT, was just one of those people graced with natural beauty. She could wear an old raggedy T-shirt, worn jeans and no makeup then smile and seem to be the most sensuous creature on earth. He wondered if there really was such a thing as “inner beauty” and if that was shining through whenever he looked at her.
Dressed to the nines, she was absolutely stunning.
The bands that played the clubs on Bourbon and Frenchman were often very casual in their attire, although some of the jazz trios often wore suits to entertain the diners at The Court of Two Sisters, Muriel’s and some of the other fancier venues.
Danni had hit just the right mix for the evening. She was wearing a strapless dress that lightly hugged her form and fell to just above her knee. It was appropriate for the beach or a candlelit dinner. She wore sandals that added two inches to her five-nine frame, emphasized the muscles of her calves and complemented her already-statuesque posture. Her long auburn hair hung free, creating a wavy frame around her face.
Quinn stood with Billie at the foot of the stairs, waiting for her to appear. She looked at the two of them and flushed. “Too much?”
“Ah...no,” Quinn said.