“Nathan.” His father took his nephew’s hand for a brief-yet-firm handshake. “Why did I just get a bill for a fourteen-piece jazz band?”
“Ah.” Nathan nodded. “They are the entertainment for the Roaring Twenties party we’re throwing our boy. It’s going to be spectacular. Trust me.”
JJ laughed—full and throaty. “You should have been the one to plan this thing.”
“I certainly would have done better than a barn.”
JJ laughed again.
Caleb’s anxiety rocketed up to the point where pinpricks of sweat gathered along his forehead. His father in a good mood made his actions even more unpredictable. JJ and Nathan spoke about the dreaded birthday party for a few more minutes. When he finally finished with Nathan, JJ moved his attention to his intended target with the efficiency of a predator on the hunt.
“Caleb.” He nodded once.
“Father.” Caleb returned the nod. The air between them crackled with tension. All the lightness Didi had brought with her evaporated. “I thought you were due in court today.”
“The case was dismissed on the grounds of insufficient evidence,” he said smoothly. “Since I had time I thought I would drop by and introduce myself to this girl everyone has been talking about.”
Caleb’s blood ran cold. Shit. Of course news of Didi would have reached JJ. But he never imagined the Devil would actually come to an event just to meet her. He was about to make an excuse when Didi appeared by his side and kissed his cheek before turning her attention to JJ.
“Hello, I’m Diana Alexander.” She reached out her hand and kept it there, waiting. “But they call me Didi.”
“They?” his father asked in bemusement.
“It’s her thing,” Nathan clarified.
Fighting the shock brought on by Didi’s sudden appearance, Caleb caught the smirk on his father’s lips as he took Didi’s hand in his. For a murderous second, he wanted to yank her away. She shouldn’t be touching someone like JJ. She was too pure. Too good.
“It’s nice to finally meet you, Didi,” his father said. “I’m Jordan Parker, Caleb’s father. You may call me JJ.”
In her own innocent way, Didi asked, “What’s the other J for?”
“Joseph.”
“Okay, JJ.” Then she surprised everyone by saying, “I’m still deciding if it’s nice to meet you.”
In a beat of panic where Caleb scrambled to put out a possible fire by saying something, his father interrupted him by laughing. Again. Was the man drunk or something?
Mute, holding on to Didi’s waist, Caleb half-sat on the stool again. He took comfort in the warmth of Didi’s hand over his pounding heart.
“Fair enough.” JJ tapped the bar and ordered a beer. “So, tell me about yourself, Didi.”
And here came the inquisition.
Didi unflinchingly said, “There’s not much to tell. I like painting.”
“So I’ve heard. You’re an Expressionist?”
“More like a free spirit. I paint what inspiration dictates.” She patted Caleb’s chest. “In fact, your son agreed to sit for me.”
He held in his relief when she left out the naked part. Not sure how JJ would have taken that. He didn’t acknowledge the weight in his father’s stare, content to keep his eyes on Didi. The way she easily spoke with the cold bastard enthralled him.
“Is that right?” JJ asked. “And your family? What does your father do?”
Didi’s signature shrug made an appearance. “I don’t know. He left when I was eight.”
“And your mother?”
“She has several jobs.”
“And college? You do know Caleb is attending Yale.”
“Good for Caleb. As for me, I don’t know. Maybe I’ll attend, maybe I won’t. I haven’t really decided yet.”
“You don’t know? You should have made this decision before you graduated. I assume you graduated.”
“Unlike you, some of us don’t have the luxury of thinking about college.”
“Then good luck finding a job without a proper degree.”
“What’s wrong with making an average living? As long as I get by, I’m good.”
“Yes, but besides food, shelter, and basic necessities, you need insurance and money for retirement. Didn’t you consider these things when thinking about your future?”
“Well, good thing I can’t see the future.”
Her unwavering honesty against the disapproving scowl of his father ignited a protectiveness in Caleb he had never experienced before. He was done subjecting Didi to whatever else the lawyer wanted to ask her. She was none of his business. When the music changed to something slower, he interrupted what JJ was about to say by telling Didi, “I believe I still owe you a dance.”
The brilliance of Didi’s smile undid him completely. Taking his hand in hers, she turned toward the dance floor. He let her lead the way.
“We’re not done here, Caleb,” his father said, recovering from the blatant insult.
The crowd parted for them. When they reached the center, he placed one of her hands on his shoulder and held the other against his heart. She moved with him willingly, swaying to the pace he had set.