Dragged to the Wedding(9)
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.
“Mama and I picked it out.” Damn, that was code for Mama picked it out and probably rammed her decision down Holly’s throat.
“I’m sure it will be amazing,” Daniel said, and Holly’s lips curled upward once again.
Holly took a deep breath before continuing. “We’re supposed to meet with the minister at one.” She pulled a face.
“What’s wrong with the minister?” Daniel asked as the server arrived with their drinks, and the conversation halted until she left. Mama shot Holly a stern look.
“He gives me the creeps,” Margot piped up, and Howard nodded his agreement.
“Reverend Peterson is a fine man,” Mama said more loudly than was necessary, to cut off any further dissent in the ranks. “He’s a real defender of the faith and he’s trying to make a difference in the community.”
Margot shivered, and Holly leaned closer. “I don’t like him either, but Mama insisted.” James got the feeling that he was going to hear more about this later. “Thursday night is also the bachelor and bachelorette party. I was able to find a dance instructor to work with Howard and me on Friday morning so we don’t make complete fools of ourselves for the first dance.”
“I have two left feet,” Howard explained.
“Dancing is fun,” James tried to reassure him.
“Not for me,” Howard whispered. “Would you come with us?”
James shifted his gaze to Daniel, who inclined his head slowly. “Of course. Whatever we can do to help make this special.” All James wanted was for Holly’s day to be the best it could possibly be and then to be able to go back to his life afterwards.