She released Daniella, and James stepped closer. “You’ve met my mama.” Boy, had he ever. “This is my dad, Phillip, and my younger sister, Margot.” They both shook hands with Daniel. “And of course, this is my older sister, Holly, and her fiancé, Howard.” Holly hugged Daniel much more gently.
“I’m so glad you’re both here,” Holly said with a strained smile. “All the arrangements have been so stressful.” Holly glanced at her mother and then back to James.
“Oh, honey, don’t worry about it,” Daniel told her. “Your day is going to be magical, and we’re all here for you. I’ve been part of many wedding ceremonies, and believe me, the day is going to be a whirlwind preceded by five days of sheer nervous hell. It’s completely normal.”
Holly brightened considerably, and James put his arm around Daniel. “We need to get our luggage, and then I have to pick up the car. Do you want us to meet you at a restaurant for lunch?”
“I thought we’d surprise you. Get your luggage, and Phillip will bring up the van. Then we’ll head back to the house. On the ride, Daniella and I can get to know each other,” his mom pushed. “I’m sure you can wait a little while before you eat.” James’s dad seemed taken aback, and Margot turned away, studying the departures and arrivals boards like she was going to be tested on them.
Thank the stars for Holly. “Mom, I’m hungry too. James and Daniella can get their things, and we’ll go on to Mastriano’s,” she offered. “It’s right on the way back into town, and they can have a few minutes to decompress from the flight.” She stepped forward and hugged James. “I got your back, bro. Just return the favor later, I’m going to need it.” James squeezed Holly a little tighter and then hugged his younger sister and mother.
“We’ll be along in a few minutes.” He swore his heart only began beating once again when his dad led his mother toward the exit and the rest of the family followed. They walked to the baggage claim area, finding the carousel for their flight.
“Holy shit,” Daniel breathed from next to him. “Your mother is a force of nature.”
“Like a hurricane,” James deadpanned. “The luggage seems to be arriving.” They wandered over to the carousel, and James grabbed his bag when it came by. “Which is yours?”
Daniel smiled and pointed to the lavender hard-sided luggage. “All of them are that color.”
James swallowed. “All of them?” He knew he was in trouble when Daniel’s hands returned to his hips. “Let me guess, queens never pack light.”
“Damned straight,” Daniel said as James began pulling bags off the carousel. “Now you’re learning.”
* * *
After a long line at the car rental, where James wished he could have flashed his badge just to make the young man behind the counter move a little faster, and once they’d filled the trunk with lavender luggage, James drove to the restaurant. “Last chance to back out. I could tell them that you got a call and had to go home.”
“Or we could fake a riot in Schaumburg because Ikea ran out of Swedish meatballs and you have to go home and mediate a standoff outside the store between vegans, meatball fanatics, and the board of directors.” Daniel wagged his eyebrows slightly. “I think it’s full speed ahead.”
James made the turn into the restaurant, parked, and walked around to Daniel’s side of the car, opening the door for him. “My family is watching us through the window,” James told him. Daniel got out of the car, and James closed the door.
Daniel took James’s hand, drawing him nearer. “Then let’s give them something to watch.” He slid his hand around the back of James’s neck, pulling him nearer until their lips met. Daniel’s lips were warm and smooth, tasting slightly sweet, with undertones of rich heat that sent a zing racing down James’s back.
“We should go inside,” James whispered, blinking a little to clear his head. Damn, that was unexpected. He extended his arm, letting Daniel take it, heading inside the restaurant while he tried to figure out what the hell was going on. This was a business relationship, nothing more. James had to get his head in the game if he was going to pull this off and go back home to his own life at the end of it all.
As they approached the table, James’s father stood, as did Howard. “Daniella can sit next to me,” Mom said, and James took his place on the other side of the table. “How long have you and James been heating up parking lots?”
James opened his mouth to answer and didn’t know what to say. Daniel answered as cool as a cucumber. “We’ve been dating about three months. He and I met when he came to my little cabaret show in Chicago. I’m a singer, and after the show, he and a friend came to my dressing room. He had the audacity to ask me out for a snack after the show, and I agreed.” Daniel patted his hand. “I love a man in uniform.” James felt a flutter of excitement at his smile.
“You’re a performer?” Mama’s eyes grew as big as saucers, and James reached for his water glass, taking a huge gulp, wishing to all that was holy that it would suddenly turn to vodka. “What sort of music?”
Daniel took Mama’s hand. “One of my best numbers is a rendition of a Doris Day song.”
James nearly snorted water out his nose and put down his glass. Holly patted his back and handed him a napkin while Margot sank further into whatever she was watching on her phone.
“Put that away at the table,” Mama scolded, and Margot lowered the phone, sliding it into her purse. “This is a nice family meal.” She glared at everyone around the table, waiting for them to argue with her. No one did, but the immediate effect was that everyone stopped talking and stared at one another, drinking their water. James only breathed again when the server came to take their orders.
“Where do your people come from?” Mama asked.
“I grew up in Chicago,” Daniel answered, daintily lifting his glass to his lips, and James found himself watching every movement.
“She cares for her grandmother,” James interjected. He could tell Mama was settling in for a third degree that would put the FBI to shame. “Have you decided what you’d like?” James asked Daniel, hoping to change the subject. Daniel nodded, and they shared a brief, strained smile before Mama started her interrogation once again.
Poor Howard. He was exhibiting that “deer in the headlights” look, and James wondered if the poor guy had a clue what he was getting himself into.
“We should go over the schedule,” Holly said, and James was growing more grateful for his sister by the second. “There’s nothing today. Tomorrow evening there’s a couples’ wedding shower. Thursday my dress should be ready, and we meet with the minister. The bridesmaids all have their dresses, so they’re good. James, I was hoping that you and Daniella would go with me to pick it up. Mama has a ladies’ circle meeting at the church.”
“Of course,” Daniel agreed before James could come up with an excuse to get them out of it. “I can’t wait to see your dress.” He was amazing, and some of the tension dissipated, only to return full force as Holly’s eyes darkened.