What the hell?
He moved the car forward and switched off the engine. “Let’s get this over with.” He knew his tone was harsh as she gave a little flinch. She didn’t wait for him, just scrambled out of the car and stood, foot tapping nervously on the pavement. After getting out, he handed the keys to the valet, came around, and stood beside her.
She appeared a little distant. “Just girding my loins,” she muttered. “Come on.”
“You’re really nervous about this?” They crossed the reception area. He’d never been to the Ritz before. It wasn’t his sort of place even after he had the money to pay the prices.
“Yes. I don’t want you to think I’m a wimp or anything. Usually I’m pretty tough. But it’s hard to undo the conditioning you receive when you’re young. I grew up disappointing my grandmother at every turn. For years I tried to be the sort of person she wanted me to be—I think we all need to impress the ones we feel we should love, however little they seem to appreciate the effort.”
It occurred to him how that could be applied to his own upbringing as well. He’d done his best to please his mother. She’d never really cared. Lexi halted to speak to the hostess and then followed her across the restaurant. The place screamed elitism with the clink of crystal and the low murmur of polite conversation. The atmosphere put his back up, and his feet slowed. Then Lexi’s warm hand slid into his and pulled him along. She gave him a small smile. “Don’t worry. I’ll look after you.”
He almost stopped as shock side-swiped him. No one had ever offered to look after him before. He knew she was joking, but all the same, the words twisted something deep inside him.
He’d looked after himself from the moment he could walk, and looked after his mother much of the time. Then after Evie had been born, he’d taken care of her as well. It had never occurred to him to ask for help. Now he didn’t ask or expect it.
Lexi squeezed his hand, and he realized they’d arrived at the table. Four people were seated around it with two empty places. Lexi’s grandmother was as perfectly presented as he remembered. Next to her sat a man who appeared considerably younger. With gray eyes and immaculately cut blond hair, he radiated an air of privilege. But his expression was amiable enough. He’d stood up as they approached, and now he came around the table.
“Lexi, sweetheart.” He clasped her in a hug. Josh tried to read their body language, but he guessed these people had perfected the art of hiding any natural feelings. The hug went on way too long. Lexi was smiling politely as she stepped back, but a tenseness in her expression suggested she wasn’t entirely happy with the embrace.
“Daniel.” She gave him a brief nod and took a step toward Josh. “And this is Josh, my husband.”
He stepped forward and held out his hand. Daniel looked at it for a moment and then took it in his own. His palm was soft and warm, and Josh had to resist the urge to wipe his own down his pants leg afterward. Something about the man put him on edge.
“And this is Daniel’s son, Harry, and his daughter, Melissa.”
They didn’t get up, and Josh just nodded in their direction. Both were clones of their father—tall, slender, blond. Melissa was quite beautiful, and the smile she sent him made it clear she thought he was okay as well. The smile faded as she looked at Lexi and gave a brief tip of her head.
From the age of seventeen he’d considered himself to have no family. Now he could see that that perhaps it wasn’t such a bad thing after all. Lexi’s family had all the warmth of a night at the North Pole. He held the chair next to Harry out for her, and she sat down and glanced up at him, biting her lip.
He took the only other free seat between Lexi’s grandmother and Melissa. He immediately caught the attention of a passing waiter and ordered himself a beer and a scotch for Lexi. He had a feeling she was going to need it.
So he was stupid. He decided to go for the strong, silent, stupid type.
Lexi was making small talk with Harry and Daniel, asking about New York. Harry, apparently, had still to decide where his true talents lay—another way of saying out of a job and no doubt sponging off Daddy. Daniel obviously owned some sort of gallery and Melissa worked for him.
The waiter brought their drinks, and he raised his glass to Lexi and took a gulp of icy cold beer.
They ordered, and he sat back and willed the evening to be over.
“So, Joshua, tell us about yourself.” Melissa turned in her seat. “I can’t believe Lexi hasn’t introduced us before now. Keeping you all to herself. How selfish.”
He shrugged. “Not much to tell.”
“How did you meet?”
“Lexi’s godfather introduced us.”
Her grandmother’s gaze sharpened on him. “You know James Frobisher?”
“He was my commanding officer, ma’am.”