Jonquil laughed. “You’re not kidding.”
“So what’s this about you and college? You went to college.”
Jonquil froze, feeling her heart sink. “Yeah. I did. For a while.”
Delphi’s brows lifted. “How long is a while?”
Jonquil’s chest constricted and she looked away. “One semester. And a few summer classes. Mostly recreational on the summer classes.”
“You’ve never said that. Did you just love your job so much you decided to ditch school?”
“Something like that.” Nothing like that. More like she flunked her book classes—or very nearly did—so she gave up. She never told people that. It made her feel like a complete dunce. She’d been diagnosed with dyslexia at a young age but knowing her struggle with reading wasn’t her fault didn’t make it any easier to deal with. It was one of the reasons she had pushed against taking this job to begin with. It was hard to hide her trouble with reading if she had to do reports. That was why she had been training Tara to do most of them. Tara was a whiz with a spreadsheet.
Delphi looked at her for a moment, then let it go. “Well you hardly need a college education to do what you love, so why waste the time in classes, I say. When did you start working for a florist?”
Jonquil let out a breath of relief and focused on her answers.
She hadn’t had to explain about school, and Delphi didn’t think Gage was a player. Jonquil wasn’t sure if Delphi was right, but she would worry about that later.
Gage left the restaurant and headed to his mom’s to check on her. He hadn’t heard anything from his sister all day, which was great since he usually only heard from her when things went wrong. He hoped that meant she was doing something about selling her car. He’d have to check on her too. He stopped in front of the house still thinking about his time with Jonquil, and what he thought he was doing getting involved with her, but when he thought of the way they clicked when they spoke, he wondered why he was fighting things so hard. It wasn’t like they had to settle down and make babies just because they were attracted to each other.
He headed up the inside stairs of the house to his mom’s suite of rooms and knocked. “Mom, are you in there?”
“Come in.” His mother’s voice rang out through the door, cheery and bright compared to the past few days.
He pushed into the room and smiled when he saw her decked out in a designer outfit that meant she had probably been to the club to see her friends. “Looks like you’ve had a good day.”
“Oh, yes. We had such a great time at lunch. Elva told us all about her new boyfriend and there is so much new gossip.” Her eyes twinkled. “What have you been up to? You have a smudge on your arm.”
He looked at his left arm and saw a scrape and a smudge of rock dust peeking below the sleeve of his T-shirt. He must have missed it when he cleaned up in the restaurant bathroom. “I went rock climbing. It was a nice break.”
She frowned, clasping her hands in front of her. “I hate it when you go out to do that. It’s so dangerous.”
“Don’t worry, I didn’t climb alone and everything went smoothly.” He decided a change of topic was in order. “So do you have more plans for this evening or are you done for the night?”
“Natalie is taking me out for dinner. I wanted to do dinner theater, but she said the show doesn’t open until tomorrow night.”
“Right.” Angela had said something about that. “It sounds like they have a great show for the summer. I just wanted to check in on you. I ought to get a shower and clear up some business email.” He leaned in and kissed her on the cheek.
“Thanks for stopping by. You’re such a good boy.” She patted his cheek with a wrinkled hand.
There was a knock at the door and Natalie walked in without waiting for an invitation.
“Ah, good, I hoped I’d catch you before you took off again,” she said to him, smiling. “I saw your car out front.”
“I was just about to come find you. Walk me down?” he asked, afraid she would say something to disturb their mother.
“Terrific.” She smiled brightly but it didn’t reach her eyes. As he walked past, she linked her elbow through his. “We don’t get enough time to chat, you know?”
Gage had been wary before, but now his senses screamed that something was wrong—she only acted like this when she wanted something. “Right. So what’s going on? Have you had any luck selling your car?”
She frowned. “I can’t get nearly enough money for it, Gage. Can’t you get the money for me? I really need it. I know they’ll hurt me if I don’t come up with it.”
Frustration warred with worry for her. “You haven’t even tried to sell that car, have you? I know you could get most of the money out of it. It’s a freaking Mercedes.”
Natalie’s lips twisted in a frown. “I can’t. I kind of borrowed some money against it.” She said this slowly with her eyes downcast. “I only have about ten thousand in equity on it.”
He turned away from her in the foyer and stared at the wall while he counted to ten. He wouldn’t ask her what was so important that she needed a loan. It would be pointless and probably only make him angry that she was so irresponsible.
Natalie grabbed onto his arm. “Gage, these men are serious. They’ll hurt me for sure if I don’t get them their money.”
He felt torn; would they really hurt her? His options were limited. “How much time do you have?”
“Two days. They gave me an extension, but only two days. How do I come up with that much money so soon?” Natalie’s voice was nearly a wail. “You have to help me.”
He rubbed a hand through his hair. “I want to help you, but how do you expect me to come up with it?” he asked, “I don’t have it. I’m tapped out.”
Tears brimmed over in her eyes. “They’ll probably break my legs or something. I’ll pay you back. I swear. Just help me.”
He had always been a sucker for tears but didn’t see any other options. He put an arm around her shoulder and pulled her close. “Let’s go to your suite and see what you have that you can sell. We’ll make it work.”
Natalie’s eyes widened. “We can’t let Mom know. She’s expecting to leave in just a few minutes. There’s no time tonight. Can I come to your office in the morning?”
“Coming to my office won’t fix anything. I’ll come back here tomorrow and we’ll see what you have so you can work out a deal with them.” She probably had fifty-grand in designer shoes alone, though he had no idea if she could get that kind of money from them so fast. Didn’t they have second-hand stores that bought back designer clothes?
She bit her bottom lip and nodded. “Okay. I’ll see you in the morning.”
“I’ll be here at eight.” He squeezed her hand and then walked out to his car. His mood went from light to worried far too fast.
He had some retirement savings—not much, but some—but it would take nearly two weeks to get anything from that. And the Camero was in pieces in the garage, and without the needed repairs wouldn’t sell for nearly enough anyway, even if it were together. He might have a few more things he could work out, but he still didn’t think he could come up with ten thousand, never mind the full fifty.
Gage wondered if there was any way to keep her safe instead while they raised the money. Maybe it was time to call on Joel.
Gage headed back at his mom’s after a near-sleepless night. Natalie was not exactly an early riser, but hadn’t complained when he had suggested they meet at eight o’clock. She must really have been getting desperate.
He was halfway there when a text message hit his phone. He stopped at the stop sign and looked at the message. It was from Natalie. I had to run to Denver this morning. May have the problem solved. Going to chat with the bookie. Will check in later.
He sighed and hoped that she was right. He turned left at the next intersection and went to work instead.
The day was busy, but relatively uneventful until Jeremy strolled in shortly before fiv
e.
“Hey, what’s up?” Gage asked. He hadn’t seen as much of Jeremy as usual since he got engaged.
“Just checking to see if you have plans tonight. We thought maybe we’d catch dinner and a show at Framer’s Theater. It’s opening night and Delphi figured Jonquil shouldn’t have to go alone.” He sat on the edge of Gage’s desk and picked up the Newton’s cradle sitting on the desk. He lifted the ball on the end and watched them all start their perpetual motion thing.
Gage ignored it and considered what Jeremy was suggesting. “You want me to go as her date? Because you know we’re not going to end up like you and Delphi.” He’d established that with both of them, right?
Jeremy’s lip twitched slightly, but then his expression returned to the too-casual, bland expression he’d worn when he entered. “I didn’t say anything about a date. There are a bunch of us going. You can join us if you don’t have other plans.”
Gage thought about what Jonquil would read into it. What Angela would think—if he showed up on opening night, would she think it was because of her? And did he want to spend his evening watching people sing and dance on stage?
Then he thought of how much fun he’d had with Jonquil the previous day. “Just a bunch of us. This is a non-date?” he asked carefully.
“Absolutely. Delphi and I will swing by and pick you up in,” he paused to check his watch, “an hour or so. We got tickets for everyone in the group and that includes dinner. I hear they grill a good steak.”
“There’s that. Count me in. But I’ll meet you there instead.” Gage watched Jeremy saunter back out of his office, then reached out and stopped the tapping of the balls on the desk. He’d have a good steak, survive an evening of song and dance and… at least he wouldn’t be alone.
An hour later he pulled in front of the theater. He had changed into a green polo and a pair of chinos, fixed his hair and dabbed on some aftershave—despite not having shaved for a couple of days. He had considered just wearing the jeans and tee he’d sported all day, but figured dinner theater should be slightly nicer, right? It wasn’t like he was trying to make a good impression on Jonquil or anything.
He got out of the car and saw Jeremy’s car sitting under a nearby street light. At least he wouldn’t be the first one in.
The theater was an old log building that had been housing theatrical productions since the early nineteen-forties, though it was rarely used during the spring or fall. The building had been empty most of Gage’s childhood but had been purchased by a couple from New York City six or seven years earlier, refurbished, and turned into a dinner theater. They’d been doing a solid business ever since, from what Gage had heard.
Twinkle lights glittered on the rope that bordered each side of the sidewalk, and the round white lights surrounding the marquee proclaimed the name of the show, dates and times of performances and a number to call the box office.
When he entered, he found Jeremy and Delphi, Blake and Lana and Jonquil. He managed not to frown as she turned to smile at him. Not a date, just a group of friends? He lifted his brows at Jeremy, who met his eye and smirked a little, then said something to Delphi.
Delphi turned. “Great, you’re here. Then we can be seated.”
Jonquil smiled at him as he came to stand beside her—where an opening in their circle magically appeared upon his arrival. “I didn’t think you’d bite. Theater doesn’t seem like your thing.”
“It’s not, normally. But a little culture probably won’t kill me. And your sister deserves some support on opening night, right?” That hadn’t been a motivator at all, but he threw it into the mix since it occurred to him.
She nodded, though she didn’t seem as enthusiastic as a moment ago. “I hear the steaks are great, too.”
“Yeah, that’s the rumor. Always a plus.” He was glad when a young man gestured for them to follow him into the theater. Gage grabbed Jeremy’s arm and held him so the rest of them went first. “Dude, just a group, huh?”
“Six is a group.” Jeremy sighed a little. “You don’t have to sit next to her, even though you apparently had a decent time with her yesterday and can carry on a civilized conversation, but I thought you were past that crap now.”
Gage wondered why he was acting like such a jerk. “Sorry. I like her. I just don’t want to raise anyone’s expectations.”
“Don’t worry about it, just be yourself and try to have fun.”
To Gage’s surprise, he did have fun. Dinner theater was definitely not on his to-do list on a regular basis, but the food was good, he sat next to Jonquil and had a stimulating conversation and the show was reasonably entertaining. Angela was a hoot as Hedy La Rue, the secretary who was secretly dating the company president and completely useless at work. And she filled out the sexy costumes they had made for her very nicely. He’d be surprised if she didn’t come home with guys’ numbers in her pocket every night.
He looked at Jonquil, who was clapping after her sister sashayed off the stage and smiled. She was far more interesting to him than Angela, sexy outfits or not. Though he wouldn’t mind seeing her in one or two. She met his gaze and they held for a long moment. She bit her bottom lip and he had a sudden urge to lean in and kiss it.
He looked away instead, his heart thrumming a little faster than usual.
After the show they waited for a chance to talk to Angela, who brightened when she saw them. “I’m so glad you came!” She threw her arms around Jonquil.
“I couldn’t miss your opening night. You were fantastic. I had no idea you were that good.”
Angela grinned widely, caught sight of Gage and threw her arms around him in a tight hug “Thanks for coming. It means so much to me.” She shifting back a little to look at him, running her hand down his arm intimately. “I really appreciate it.”
Gage patted her shoulder a little, feeling uncomfortable about the attention. “Good job. You really rocked it.”
“Thanks!” She turned to the others, who apparently didn’t rate a hug, and chattered on about how great it was.
By the time they finally extricated themselves, the theater was nearly empty—even the actors had mostly gone to the dressing rooms to change before the opening-night party.
“She’s enthusiastic,” Gage said as he walked out beside Jonquil.
“Yes. I have to give her that. Did you enjoy the show?” she asked.
“It was… interesting. Better than I expected.”
“The steak was good, anyway?” she asked teasingly.
“The steak was primo. I’d sit through a musical for one of those anytime.”
She laughed. “Good to know you’re so easy to bribe.”
“Hey, Gage, you mind giving Jonquil a lift?” Delphi asked. “I need to go back to the hotel for a few minutes to check on some things for the wedding tomorrow. Thanks!” She didn’t wait for him to respond, just pulled Jeremy toward his car.
Blake and Lana had already peeled off, so they weren’t an option, and Jonquil’s place wasn’t that far out of the way. “Sure,” he answered, though he knew they were already too far away to hear him.
“I get the feeling that Delphi has thoughts.” Jonquil shrugged a little. “She’s a little bit of a busybody. She can’t help herself.”
“You know how dangerous Delphi can be when she thinks stuff. We should put an end to all of that.” His lips twitched, belying the dry tone in his voice.
“Definitely not allowed.”
“You want to hitch a ride with me then?” he asked. “It looks like your ride is taking off without you.”
She chuckled a little. “Sounds good. I appreciate the generosity, which wasn’t at all strong-armed out of you.”
“It’s not like taking you home is a hardship.” He opened the passenger-side door for her, standing close enough to smell her perfume. He’d known the soft floral scent was her when he caught it—several times—during the performance. Part of him wanted to lean in and take a deep breath right from her neck.
Gage stepped back instead, waiting for her to sit and then shutting her into the car. His car was going to smell like her afterward. He’d definitely have to roll down the windows, even if it was getting chilly. Having her scent waft through his head would make resisting her that much harder.
“So, about that climbing expedition we talked about,” Jonquil said when he was pulling the car back onto the road. “I checked my schedule. Looks like my best day is like ten days away on a Wednesday. I have an afternoon off next week but probably not until at least two and it sounds like we’d need more than that for the climb you have in mind.”
“Definitely. And I’m a little sore after yesterday. I need to switch my weight routine.”
“Me too. I wasn’t sure if I would make it to the top. Gorgeous climb though.”
“You handled it well enough.” He remembered watching her muscles bunch as she pulled herself up the wall. She was definitely no wimp.
“I stay in shape for it during the winter. There’s a climbing wall in Denver I hit a few times.”
“I’ve been there. Great place when I get in the mood in the winter. It’s not far from my mom’s doctor, so I go over for a while when I take her down.”
Jonquil turned to ask. “You always take your mom to the doctor?”
He wasn’t sure if the question was teasing or doubtful or what, but he shrugged a little. “She doesn’t like driving down the mountain in the winter.”
“I can’t blame her for that. You’re a good son.”
This time he was sure about her tone, and the admiration in it made him a little twitchy. “I’m just doing what has to be done. It’s no big deal.”
“Hmm.”
He changed the subject. “So, yeah, I think Wednesday, week after next will probably work. I’ll let you know when I check my schedule.”
“Good. I look forward to it.” There was a few seconds of silence before she spoke again. “I saw the posters for the mountain biking festival. They’re really eye-catching. You must be pleased.”
The Last Bride (DiCarlo Brides #6) Page 8