“Did you molest that girl, Daniel?”
“God, of course I didn’t,” he said, his eyes flashing with anger.
“I’m sorry.” I squeezed his hand comfortingly. “Don’t be mad. I had to ask. I thought you might like to see what it feels like to be asked the question by someone who’d believe your answer unequivocally.”
“Thank you,” he said, closing his eyes and leaning forward, resting his forehead against mine. “You have no idea how it feels to hear you say that.”
“I’m glad you told me.”
“You deserve to know the truth. Even if you want to run screaming in the opposite direction, at least you understand why I’ve been so hot and cold. This has been such a confusing month for me. Last week, when Brad said I had a ton of baggage, he wasn’t joking. None of the craziness that happened this week is your fault, Aubrey. It’s not you. It’s all me. I’m so sorry.”
I launched myself at him, wrapping my arms around him tightly and rubbing my cheek against his. Daniel hummed against my hair, his arms circling my body, keeping me close. “Does this mean you’re not going to run screaming?” he asked.
I pulled away and glanced down at my feet. “I’m not running anywhere, especially in these shoes.”
Chapter 29
O’er Green my Bad
Your love and pity doth the impression fill
Which vulgar scandal stamp’d upon my brow;
For what care I who calls me well or ill,
So you o’er-green my bad, my good allow?
(Sonnet 112)
HE SMILED AT ME, his eyes darting from my eyes to my lips and back again. “So that’s it?” he said. “You’re honestly okay with all this? We’ll keep the status quo?”
“I can’t fathom walking away from you now. If you’re okay with what we’ve decided, then so am I. Absolutely status quo.”
Albeit a much better informed status quo. I still wanted to shake a bookshelf or two with him, but there was no way I’d be forcing the issue. We’d crossed a line and broken so many rules, but if things were to continue with us, the last thing I wanted was to be responsible for ruining Daniel’s second chance. From here on in, I was even more determined to follow his lead.
“Telling you everything went so much better than I thought it would,” he said, his face showing a slightly puzzled expression.
“You thought I’d cut and run?”
“I wasn’t sure what to think. I called Penny and Brad earlier this evening to tell them I was considering telling you about Nicola. Penny said she was sure you’d stick by me. She really likes you.”
“I like her, too. I like your whole family.”
“That makes me really happy. You have no idea.”
His eyes roamed across my face for a few seconds, and then he slipped his sleeve up, sighing as he checked his watch. “I don’t mean to rush things, but we should probably head out soon. Did you want to take a peek inside before we go? The ballroom is just on the other side of those French doors.”
“Do you think that’s a good idea?”
“You can’t be here and not check out the band. They’re really something. Come on.”
He led me across the room and opened the door a crack. I poked my head through.
“There’s one of those Japanese folding screens in the way. I can’t see a thing. Can I go in?” I asked.
“Of course.”
He urged me forward, and I stepped through the door and popped my head around the decorative screen. The ballroom featured a hardwood dance floor with tables around the perimeter. A glittering ball cast flecks of sparkly light across the floor and walls. While the room was beautiful, it was nothing you wouldn’t see at an upscale wedding reception. What took my breath away was the orchestra—like something from another era—a group of men in tuxedoes sitting on tiered levels on the stage, the back row currently standing with their instruments raised high.
On the floor, at least fifty couples twirled in spectacular unison with the music. I felt Daniel’s presence behind me. Safely hidden behind the screen, he stepped close to me and wrapped his hands around my waist, leaning down.
“Well, what do you think? Impressive, right?” he whispered.
“It’s amazing.”
I placed my hands over top of Daniel’s and watched the orchestra as the bandleader brought the song to a close. The dancing couples turned to applaud the band, and the conductor put down his baton and leaned forward to speak into a microphone.
“Ladies and gentlemen, we’ll be taking a ten minute break before we get to our final few songs of the night,” he announced.
He left the stage, and several of the musicians followed suit. Piped in music began to play from the speakers, and many of the couples on the dance floor resumed dancing.
“Hey, I think I know this song,” I said. “Isn’t it called ‘At Last’?”
“That’s right. Etta James. Very romantic.” He pulled me back against him and rested his chin on my head. Mesmerized, I gaped at the dancing couples. I wished I could dance like that. And as I watched, it occurred to me that there was no one on the dance floor our age, or even our parents’ age.
“Daniel, is it my imagination, or is everyone here kind of old?”
“Apparently the second Friday of every month is seniors’ night. So, tell me—do you like to dance?”
“I do, but I could certainly never pull that off,” I said, gesturing to the dance floor.
“I could teach you—I mean, if you want. It’s not as hard as it looks.”
“What, you can dance like that? You’ve got to be kidding me.”
Jesus, was there anything he couldn’t do?
“My mother forced us all to take lessons in high school.”
“Even Brad?”
“Yep, even Brad. He’s brutal. Awesome football player. Terrible ballroom dancer.”
“I can imagine.” I was getting a clear visual. I laughed, and Daniel nuzzled my hair, embracing me tightly.
“I’d give anything to take you over there and dance with you right now,” he said.
“Daniel, there’s no way I’m going out onto that dance floor with you.”
“I know. I’m not saying we can. I’m just saying I wish we could.”
He kissed the top of my head, and I smiled to myself as I watched the dancing couples. The Etta James song came to an end, and a new song started. I recognized it as Michael Bublé’s rendition of “The Way You Look Tonight.”
Daniel slowly turned me around in his arms. “I love this song. Listen to that saxophone. Now that is one sexy instrument. This is actually a perfect song for tonight.”
He sang softly in my ear, his breath tickling my neck and making me shiver. I looked up at him. “What are you trying to do to me?”
He smiled. “I believe I’m renewing my efforts to woo you, Miss Price. Am I having any luck?”
Luck? Good Lord! Luck had nothing to do with it!
“Maybe.” I batted my eyelashes. He laughed and took my hands again, leading me back into the other room but leaving the door open.
“Come on, dance with me. I can’t think of a more appropriate song for our first dance.”
He took my hand and held it over his heart, placing his other hand on my back and pulling me close. Frigging hell, he could write a book. I figured it would be called The TA’s Guide to Making Up with the Girl You’re Not Really Allowed to Be with but Refuse to Give Up On. He never ceased to overwhelm me. As usual, I retreated into the safety of humor.
“You know, I’m only well-versed in one particular dance.”
“And what’s that?” he said, coaxing me into moving to the music.
“I believe it’s most frequently referred to as the Grade Nine Grope.”
He smiled down at me. “I’m not sure I’m familiar with that one, but it sounds intriguing. Tell me about it.”
“Well, you’re supposed to start with both of your hands here.”
“How’s that?” he aske
d, his hands encircling my waist.
“Perfect. Then, I put my hands here.” I placed my hands on his shoulders. “And my face here.” I snuggled into his neck. “And then you pretend you’re in grade nine. You know, follow your instincts,” I murmured against his Adam’s apple, watching it bob as he swallowed.
“Now, let me clarify a point or two,” he said. “Is it appropriate during this dance to attempt to steal a kiss from your partner?”
My heart skidded to a halt. Steal a kiss? I tried to remain calm.
“That depends,” I said coyly.
“On…?”
“Well, you need to make sure the principal’s not paying attention.”
“Right. That seems to be a running theme, doesn’t it?” He made a show of looking around the room. “I’d say we’re alone. Does that give me the green light?”
I shrugged and smiled softly.
“You know what? This one time, I think I’m going to take my chances,” he said.
I realized we’d stopped dancing. He moved his hand from my waist to gently cradle my cheek. I held my breath as he slowly leaned down to brush the gentlest whisper of a kiss on my lips. And then, because we’d obviously done something to offend the god of fucktastic first kisses, someone knocked on the door. My eyes flew open, and I stumbled backward guiltily.
“You’ve got to be kidding me,” Daniel said, closing his eyes as his jaw jumped with frustration. “Wait here. And hold that thought.”
He crossed to open the door. The coat-check girl was standing outside holding two champagne glasses. She handed over the glasses and then listened to Daniel whisper something. After a few more quiet words, Daniel nodded and thanked her as he pushed the door closed with his foot. He made his way back over to me, holding out one of the glasses.
“Compliments of the manager,” he said. “Obviously a man who knows a thing or two about being in the dog house.”
“And a man who has appalling timing,” I pointed out.
Seriously. The worst timing ever. The song had ended. The wonderful moment had passed, and with it my chance of a hot first kiss with the man of my dreams.
“You’re right about that,” Daniel said. “But it seems a shame to waste perfectly good champagne. Mind if I make a toast?”
“Be my guest.”
“To our anniversary,” he said, eyes sparkling.
“Our anniversary?” I raised an eyebrow.
“One month ago today we had our first date.”
“We did?”
“Hamlet? February the thirteenth?” he said.
“You consider that our first date?” I laughed.
“Don’t you?”
“Seriously? Vomiting in the washroom while the hot guy you’re trying to impress paces outside waiting for you? Not my idea of a great first date. Plus, you were still Miss Price-ing me that night. It wasn’t a date.”
“Funny how different things stand out for different people,” he said.
“Why? What do you remember?”
“Well, for starters, I remember you swearing. I think that was the first time I heard you say ‘fuck.’”
“Ah, yes, that’s terribly romantic.”
He smiled. “Then you elbowed me in the ribs.”
“Again, just a little something I do to turn guys on,” I added.
He took a step closer to me. “Then once the play started, I remember whispering something to you, and you had the most delicious expression on your face. I came close to kissing you right there and then.”
I racked my brain for a witty comeback, but I couldn’t pull anything together. He had that lidded-eyes-dropped-chin thing going on. He ruined me with that every time.
“So, yes, I’m going with that as our anniversary,” he said, tipping his hand forward and clinking my glass with his. We both took a sip of champagne.
“Okay, you win. Happy anniversary, sailor.”
“Happy anniversary, poppet,” he said, stroking my cheek. Then he sighed and shook his head. “Now, this sucks, but unfortunately we have to go. Tiffany gave me fair warning that the parking lot is about to get crazy. She said everyone tends to pour out at quarter to ten. I’m not concerned about the rush, but I would like to make an inconspicuous exit. We should probably leave.”
Of course. Right when things were getting good. But our actions were being guided by the need for discretion, and I couldn’t complain. At least not out loud.
“Okay.” I took another swig of my champagne.
We left our glasses on the coffee table, and Daniel led me out to the lobby, helping me with my coat and gathering my hair up to gently pull it free of my collar. I remembered him doing something similar the week before at the Four Seasons. Was this a trademark move? I sincerely hoped so.
Then we were out the doors and into the cold night air. Daniel took a cursory glance around the parking lot as we walked. I found myself doing the same, on high alert now, even more paranoid than I’d been the week before, though the odds of running into anyone we knew at the Palais Royale certainly seemed slim. Daniel was steering me toward his car when a blue sedan came to a quick halt beside us. The passenger window rolled down, and a voice echoed through the night air.
“Daniel? Is that you?”
Chapter 30
Compromise
And now the matter grows to compromise…
(King Henry vi, Part 1, Act V, Scene 4)
DANIEL TOOK A STEP TOWARD THE CAR while I tried to stay out of sight behind him, deciding if I should make a run for it.
“Patty?”
Patty? Not Daniel’s grandmother? Holy crap—we were screwed.
“What are you doing here?” he asked. It sounded like he was trying to keep his voice light and conversational.
“Having a night on the town, of course,” she said. “I could ask you the same question—this is seniors’ night. They aren’t supposed to let in the riffraff.” Daniel laughed. “Open my door, Daniel.”
He opened the door and helped her climb out. I hung back, hoping she had bad eyesight, but was unable to resist checking out this woman who’d been described as a “corker” by Penny. So this was Granny Wright. She was wiry and silver-haired with sparkling eyes and coral lip-sticked lips. She was wearing a knee-length fur coat. I had no clue whether the fur was real or faux, but if it was real, it had to have been hellishly expensive.
“Now give me a hug,” she ordered him. He did as he was told.
“So, you’ve been here all night?” Daniel asked her.
“Yes, of course. Gerald and I come here every month.”
“Gerald?”
“Yes, Gerald. And if you tell your parents about this I’ll disinherit you.” Patty was scowling and wagging her finger at her grandson. “The last thing I need is them prying into my personal life.”
Daniel leaned into the passenger side window. “Hello, Gerald,” he said, reaching in to shake the hand of his grandmother’s beau.
“Gerald, this is my grandson, Daniel,” his grandmother said, poking her head in the window.
Gerald’s jovial voice rang out clearly, “Well, it’s about time I met one of the boys. I’ve been doubting your existence. Nice to meet you, Daniel. Henny speaks highly of you.”
“Well, thank you, sir.” Daniel stood up and turned to me, pulling me forward.
“There’s actually someone I’d like you to meet as well, Patty. Aubrey Price, this is my grandmother, Henrietta Wright. Patty, this is Aubrey, a very good friend of mine.”
What in the living hell was he doing? Had he lost his frigging mind?
“Well, Aubrey, what a delight to meet you.” She shook my hand, her inquisitive eyes piercing my soul. Very unnerving. I stood there, smiling stupidly. “How lovely. Daniel, you’ve been holding out on me,” she chided him.
“Sorry, Patty. We’re not quite ready to go public. Mom and Dad don’t know. Not up to dealing with the Spanish Inquisition yet. You understand, right? I’ll keep your secret if you keep mine?”
“Oh, I don’t know. I’m sure you’ll give it your best shot. If only to piss a few people off.”
Daniel’s grandmother chuckled. “You’re right. That’s my strongest motivation to stay healthy—to drive your father mad.”
“Well, name the time and I’ll be there,” Daniel said. “Apparently we’ve got lots to get caught up on.”
“I’m an old lady, dear boy. Long range plans are inadvisable. How’s this Sunday?”
“This Sunday’s perfect,” Daniel said. “Will you be inviting Mom and Dad?”
“Oh, heavens no. I’d actually like to have a nice time.” She scowled at him while she winked at me. Amusement nudged at the corner of Daniel’s mouth. “I’ll expect you at five o’clock,” his grandmother said, a tone of finality in her voice.
“Sounds wonderful. What can I bring?”
“A bottle of red wine. Not one of those skinny little things either. Don’t be a cheapskate like your father.”
Daniel laughed. “Deal.”
“And bring your young lady, too. I’d say she needs some feeding.”
Daniel looked at me and smiled. I felt like I’d stumbled into an episode of The Twilight Zone.
“Open my door, Daniel.”
Patty was finished. Her word, it seemed, was law.
Daniel did as he was told, holding her hand while she backed herself into the car and swung her legs in. “Gerald, it was nice meeting you,” Daniel said, closing the door carefully.
The Weight of Words (The WORDS Series) Page 33
