“Fair question. When my sisters and I were little—you do know I have two younger sisters, right?”
“I’d heard. But your dad’s always been tightlipped about you guys. Now that I’ve met you, I can understand why.” Dex’s appreciative gaze raked her face, setting her heart racing.
“When we were small, the whole family moved each time Dad had a permanent change of station. But when my stair-step sisters and I became teenagers, Dad thought it would be better for us to stay in our home in New York and develop relationships like non-military kids.”
Dex tracked her parents’ movements around the dance floor for a few seconds before looking back at her. “Sounds like it was a huge sacrifice for them. You’re lucky to have parents that care so much for you and your sisters.”
Looking at her mom and dad now—lovers first, parents second—the realization of just how huge their sacrifice was brought tears too close to the surface for comfort. “You’re right. I’m very lucky.”
“You look as though you could use a change of subject.” Dex’s voice took on a happier note.
“Sorry, I tend to get a little mushy when talking about my family. We’re very tight.”
“I can see that.” He nodded. “So what’s your favorite movie?”
* * * *
Dex walked to Edward and Audra’s table, pulled out a chair, and sat across from them. “Hey, guys. How’s it going?”
“I was about to ask you the same thing.” Edward sat with his arm draped across the back of Audra’s chair, affectionately running his fingers down her shoulder and upper arm. “Where’s your sidekick?”
“Who? Aria?”
“Who else?” Edward chuckled. “This is the first time I’ve seen you flying solo all night. Did she leave?”
“No, she’s still here. Ladies’ room. Fixing her hair. She said it was falling apart, although it looked just fine to me.” More than fine to him. It looked great. The few fallen curls fit nicely with the overall style.
“Seems you two have really hit it off.” Audra snuggled closer to Edward’s side. “You like her, don’t you?”
“I do. And before you ask”—he shot a smirk at Edward—“yes, I like more about her than the fact that she’s pretty.”
Edward laughed. “You haven’t been slathering her with your usual repertoire of cheesy flattery, have you?”
“Wow, you really know how to slam a guy, don’t you? It may surprise you to know I’m not as shallow as you might think.” So he flirted once in a while. Big deal. Didn’t anybody think he could be serious about a girl?
“Okay then,” Edward said, his cocky smile presenting a challenge. “Name one thing you like about her other than her looks.”
“Piece of cake. She’s smart, talented, easy to talk to, and shares similar tastes in music and movies. And unlike Jasmine, Aria understands the unpredictable life of a military man. That enough for you?” It certainly was a good enough start for him.
A quizzical look twisted Audra’s brows. “Who’s Jasmine?”
“She’s the one who—” It made him mad just to think about her. “She’s a former girlfriend. Lives in Poughkeepsie. I went back and forth between Fort Bragg and New York for almost six months, spending time and money to be with her whenever I could. When I came up at the end of August, she was supposed to pick me up at the airport, but instead called and said she’d hooked up with a local fireman and that it was over between us.”
“That’s right.” Audra nodded. “I remember that day. We were visiting Edward’s parents. You called, and Edward invited you to come stay with us for the weekend. I don’t think you’d ever mentioned her name, though.”
“Jazz said she couldn’t take the long-distance relationship anymore. All the while, I thought we had something.” What did it matter? It was over, and that was that. Nothing he could do about it anyway.
“I’m sorry, Dex,” Audra said, her slight smile on the apologetic side.
“Oh, well. Water under the bridge, as they say. She moved on, and so did I.” He wasn’t about to let the memories ruin his night. “Oh, look. There’s Aria now. Think I’ll mosey on over and see if I can get her on the dance floor again. See ya.”
* * * *
Aria slipped her smartphone into its designated purse pocket and slapped on a plastic smile. Losing a gig wasn’t the end of the world. But this one would have earned her a tidy sum.
“Something wrong?” Dex seemed to have no trouble seeing through her happy mask.
“Libby just called and—sorry, I forgot that you don’t know who she is. Libby is the violinist friend I’d been visiting before coming up to play for the wedding today. She and I pair up and perform at dinner parties, weddings, and other social events together.” Not to mention Libby was practically their business manager and landed most of the engagements they played—one of the perks of living in lower Manhattan and rubbing shoulders with people in the know.
“Bad news? Is she okay?”
“Libby’s fine. Thank you for asking.” How sweet and considerate of him. “She called to tell me we had a cancellation for a swanky Christmas party we were supposed to play next weekend. It was a good paying one too.”
“Maybe something better will come along. You might be surprised how things work out.”
“A nice surprise for next weekend would be great. We were booked solid last Christmas season, but this year’s been lean.” She set her purse on the chair at their table, then fell into step beside Dex and sauntered around the perimeter of the room. “Enough about my tales of woe. Sorry I brought it up.”
“You didn’t. I asked. You looked a little bummed out when you came out of the ladies’ room. Saw you put your phone away. Figured something was up, and—” He breathed a stifled laugh and shook his head.
“What’s so funny?”
“I think your dad just gave me the stink eye.”
Near the small platform where a live band would ordinarily play, her father stood talking with two other men, a stemmed glass of bubbly in his hand. If he’d looked their way at all, she didn’t notice.
“If my dad gave you the stink eye, you would have burst into flames.” She laughed. “Besides, what reason could he possibly have for doing that?”
“He’s just looking out for someone who’s precious to him.”
Every time Dex opened his mouth, he seemed more and more likeable.
* * * *
“Excuse me, miss.”
Aria stepped away from the water cooler and dabbed a drip of water from her chin.
An elderly woman sidled up to her and took hold of her forearm. “Hello, young lady. I’m Mrs. Dobbs, a friend of the groom. I just wanted to tell you how much I enjoyed hearing you play today.”
“Why, thank you. That’s so nice of you to say. I’m glad you enjoyed it.”
“Oh, why, yes indeed. You see, I come from a long line of musicians and singers, so I appreciate good music when I hear it.”
“Oh?”
“My uncle Bernie used to play the violin. Oh, could he play. Lucy, his wife, God rest her soul, used to play the…”
Prattling on, Mrs. Dobb’s went from accolade to accolade, praising one family member after another. Aria was trapped.
On the side of the room, near an arched window, three older teenage girls giggled like debutants around a millionaire as Dex told an animated story. The leggy one wearing a skimpy, skin-hugging dress stroked his arm with every laugh, and touched his sleeve when she wanted to add her two cents.
Aria couldn’t blame the girls. Dex was a choice cut of manhood. Top shelf. Still, it was all she could do not to march over, shoo them all away, and claim him as belonging to her.
“…and my grandson Garrett plays the tuba in a marching band at Perdue.” The old woman’s tales of talented relatives, no doubt exaggerated, were bringing Aria�
��s patience to the tipping point. Latched firmly to Aria’s arm, she spoke at close range, as if every word were top secret. Her high-octane peppermint breath burned Aria’s eyes. Escape seemed unlikely without outside intervention.
Aria covered her mouth with a fisted hand and feigned a coughing spell, her gaze riveted on Dex. She hacked for a good fifteen seconds before he finally looked over. Shielding her lips from Mrs. Dobbs, she mouthed, “Help me.”
Dex laughed, excused himself from his entourage, and came to her. “Pardon me, ladies. Aria, I believe you promised me this next dance?” He offered his hand.
“Why, yes, I believe I did. It was nice talking to you, Mrs. Dobbs. Would you excuse us, please?” She let Dex lead her back on the dance floor and take her in his arms. “You just became my superhero, you know.”
“Yeah? You don’t mind if I skip the tights and cape, do you?”
“No, you don’t strike me as the tights and cape kind of guy.” But then again…
* * * *
Time was passing much too quickly. Already, more than half the guests, including the boss and his wife, had called it a night, and a good many tables sat empty around the room. The little that Dex had learned about Aria Greco wasn’t nearly enough to satisfy his growing desire to get to know her better.
“Sprite and a ginger ale, please.” Dex thanked the bartender and carried two glasses over by the window where Aria stood waiting. “Here you go.”
“Thank you.” She sipped her Sprite then stood with one foot pulled partially out of her shoe. “Would you mind if we sat awhile? My toes are paying a high price for vanity with these cutesy shoes. They felt good in the store, but not so much now.”
“Sure. How about we sit over there with Edward and Audra? You can take off your shoes and relax.”
“That sounds good.” She followed Dex to their table.
Audra smiled as they approached. “Oh, good. Have you two come to join us?”
“We have.” Dex seated Aria and pulled out a chair for himself. “How’s it going?”
“Going good,” Edward said. “What did you think of the wedding, Aria?”
“It was beautiful. My father tells me Audra helped organize the whole thing, reception and all. Good job. Everything turned out great.”
“Thank you, but I can’t take all the credit. I had a lot of help. I have to admit, it was a challenge putting together a wedding and reception in just over a month, but—”
“A month? Wow. The logistics are overwhelming. How’d you do it?”
“Well, first I…”
Dex kicked back and stretched out his legs. May as well get comfortable, because this could take a while. And that was okay by him.
* * * *
“It’s getting late. I’d better get going.” Aria slipped her shoes back on and got up. “Edward, Audra, it was so nice getting to know you. I hope our paths cross again.”
“I’m so glad we met.” Audra came around the table and hugged her. “If you ever come down to North Carolina, please stop in and see us. You’re always welcome.”
“Thank you. I will. I’m going to try to squeeze in more visits to my dad, so I’ll drop in on you then.” Aria turned and shook Edward’s hand. “Good night, Edward.”
“Good night, and take care.”
Dex stood beside her. “I’ll walk you to your car.”
At the door he held her coat while she put it on then waited silently while she buttoned it.
“Thank you.” As soon as she walked outside, cold air stung her cheeks. Aria snugged her scarf around her neck. “Brr. Cold out here.”
She opened the car door and tossed her bag on the passenger seat. “Well, I guess this is it.”
“It doesn’t have to be.” Dex stepped closer and sandwiched her hand between his. “I’m not flying out until Monday afternoon. That leaves tomorrow wide open. How about we spend it together, Aria? We can find something fun to do.”
If she hadn’t danced with him half the night, his taking her hand would have struck her as odd and forward. But now, despite whatever her dad had meant about Dex’s track record with women, he just seemed like a sweet, handsome guy who wanted to get to know her a little more.
Their breath-clouds collided and tumbled together. Decision time.
“Okay, tomorrow then.” She looked forward to it.
Chapter 4
Aria shook the pastor’s hand then walked with her mother to the family SUV in the church parking lot. The sermon had been little more than a blur of words, its message muddled by intruding thoughts of Jason Dexter and worry about what her father would say when she told him of their plans for the day. She slipped into the passenger side and buckled up.
“You seemed distracted during church.” Mom started the engine. “Something on your mind, sweetheart?”
“Yeah, I was going to talk to you about it earlier, but we were running late this morning and I didn’t get the chance.” As it was, she had to put on her makeup in the car using the visor mirror.
“Talk to me about what? If it’s something serious we can go to Dunkin’ Donuts and chat over a cup of coffee.” Mom’s honey-colored bob bounced at her shoulders as she looked at Aria. Amazingly beautiful in her forties, Mom still had what it took to turn a man’s head.
“It’s not serious. We can talk while you drive.”
“Okay then, I’m listening.”
Aria waited until the SUV rumbled over the rough beveled curb at the parking lot exit and turned onto the main drag through town. “Sergeant Dexter asked me out last night.”
“Oh? And you said?” Mom’s brows lifted with piqued curiosity.
“I said yes, which is why I wanted to go to the early service this morning. Dex is picking me up at eleven thirty.”
“Sounds like fun.” A traffic light switched to red, and Mom brought the SUV to a stop. “But there’s more you want to talk about, isn’t there? You have a habit of picking at your fingernails when something’s bothering you, and you’ve been clicking away since you got in the car.”
“You read my idiosyncrasies well.” Folding her hands on her lap put the kibosh on the nail picking. “I’m not sure Dad is going to be too happy about me seeing Dex.”
“Really? Why do you say that?”
“Dad said something about him not having a good track record with women but didn’t elaborate. Do you know anything about that?”
“No, and I’m sure if there was something horribly wrong with the sergeant’s character, your father would have mentioned it to me last night when I pointed out how you two were spending so much time together.”
“I’m sure you’re right. The weird thing is, even though I realize I’m an adult and can go out with whomever I please, I…”
“I understand.” Mom reached over the console and patted Aria’s folded hands. “You love and respect your father and wouldn’t want to displease him. There’s not a thing in the world wrong with that no matter how old you are.”
The light switched to green, and a horn beeped behind them. Mom drove on. “Talk to your dad when we get home. I’m sure you’ll find that a lot of your apprehension is unfounded.”
“All right. I’ll do that.” And hope for a good outcome.
* * * *
The roll-up door hummed behind Aria and her mother as they left the garage and entered the house through the kitchen door. On the refrigerator, a magnet held a handwritten note that flapped slightly as Aria walked by. She stopped, gave it a quick read then turned to her mom. “Uncle Angelo is having trouble with his furnace, and Dad went over to see if he could give him a hand. Said he’ll call later. So much for talking to Dad before going out with Dex.”
“It’s almost eleven. Quit stressing about your father, go upstairs, and get ready. Dex’s probably on his way over.”
“You’re right. I’d better get a
move on.” She kissed her mom’s cheek and hurried upstairs.
Jeans, warm socks, boots, and layers. Dex’s suggestion for taking a casual hike through the trails around his grandfather’s house made picking out an outfit super simple. Now if she could just tame her unruly hair into some semblance of order, she’d have it made.
* * * *
“I’m shoving off to pick up Aria, Pop,” Dex yelled toward the kitchen as he loped down the stairs. He pulled his jacket off a peg by the door and put it on. “Should be back pretty quick unless I have to stay and chitchat with her parents a while. You know how that goes.”
His grandfather came through the kitchen doorway, dishtowel in hand. “Okay, call me when you’re headed back this way and I’ll start heating a pot of water for the pasta.”
Long overdue for a trip to the barber, Pop’s more-salt-than-pepper hair flipped at odd angles around his ears, and the blue flannel shirt that had hugged his shoulders last winter now hung loosely on his frame. Losing grandma last year had definitely taken a toll on Pop’s upkeep.
Dex hid his momentary sadness behind a smile. “Good deal. See you in a bit.”
He left the farmhouse and walked down the concrete walkway, humming the tune Aria had composed. Beautiful and intricate, the melody had floated around his mind in bed last night until sleep overtook him. A pleasant way to fall asleep, especially when paired with reruns of Aria’s laugh and her smile. Oh, who was he kidding? It was her smokin’ hot bod and her ability to look past his arrogance and see his potential that kept him tossing and turning.
He unlocked the rental car with the key fob, got in, and headed toward the Greco homestead. Strange, but he’d started missing Aria as soon as she’d left the reception. Maybe there was something special about this one.
A half hour’s drive brought Dex to the curb outside Aria’s place, a familiar two-story home with an attached double garage. He’d dropped the boss off a few times when Mrs. Greco was under the weather and couldn’t pick him up at the airport. But he’d never been inside.
The front doorbell resounded with happy, inviting chimes, fitting for its musical occupant. Mrs. Greco answered with a broad smile and invited him in. “Hello, Sergeant. Aria will be down in a minute. Would you like to have a seat while you wait?”
A Soldier's Song Page 3
