Page 36 of Forever My Soldier

She moaned, easing into my touch. “Maybe we have a few minutes to spare.”

Biting back a laugh, I shook my head and stepped back. “Nope. Let’s go.” It wasn’t easy and I hated myself for saying it, but I wasn’t about to rock the boat by showing up late, not when seconds ago Jenna made the same decision.

On our way to her parents’ house, we did an admirable job of pretending we weren’t going to see her family and talked about everything but them. However, once we pulled up in front of their house, it wasn’t so easy to ignore the inevitable. It was time to face the music and, judging by the look on Jenna’s face, it seemed like the only thing she was going to be facing was the inside of a toilet.

I walked around to the passenger side of the car and opened the door for her. I watched as she gracefully slid out, her legs looking even better in the tall heels she was wearing. Honestly, the heels looked more like skinny tree branches, and the fact that she could even walk in them was a wonder, but still, she looked sexy as hell.

Jenna wiped her hands down the sides of her dress, and although she tried to act calm, I knew she was anything but, so I took her hands in mine and looked her in the eyes. “It’s going to be fine. It’s just a dinner party. How bad can it be?”

She kicked her heel against the ground. “I guess you’re right.”

Just as I was about to suggest we go in, the front door swung open and her loud, nasally sister stepped out, all but shouting, “Are you two kids going to come in already?”

I observed the rise and fall of Jenna’s chest as she took a deep breath before responding, “Oh, Fran, it’s been way too long!” She broke away from me and walked elegantly, yet quickly, to greet her sister with a hug and kiss on the cheek.

There went Jenna, playing her part.

In no particular rush to join them, I walked at a steady pace.

“You remember Deke, don’t you?” She hooked her arm in mine and just stared at her sister, waiting for her response.

When Francesca politely nodded and said, “Come in, come in,” Jenna eyed me suspiciously and we walked in together.

An older lady on staff at the house immediately approached us and took Jenna’s purse from her. She was clearly new because her hands were shaking and she looked nervous. I wasn’t sure if she was a drinker, but if she wasn’t, I suspected she would be after spending any significant amount of time in this house.

“Thank you,” Jenna graciously said.

“Excuse me, but you need to let my parents know that Jenna and Deacon have arrived,” Francesca pointed out to the help, attempting to over enunciate every word. Then she turned to us again. “This is quite the event, isn’t it? I heard you helped plan it, Jenna-Jam,” she said, using the awful nickname she came up with for her sister. I never did understand it, but then again, I never really understood Francesca.

“I did,” Jenna answered.

Francesca’s eyes were dancing with mischief and I didn’t like it one bit.What did she have up her sleeve?“Well, we mustn’t wait. Let’s go outside, shall we?” She spun on her heel, expecting us to follow.

When her back was to us, I looked at Jenna and raised an eyebrow, wondering what the hell was going on here.

She merely shrugged.

As we walked among Miami’s old money, I looked around and noticed everyone had a glass in their hand, deeply engrossed in conversation.Shit, this night was going to be awful.

Jenna and I were still arm-in-arm as we followed behind Francesca who was leading us to their mother. I felt like I was walking the plank or something.

“Well, I’m going to get a drink,” Francesca said, all smiles. “You two want anything? A beer, Deke?”

I narrowed my eyes. “No, thank you.”

She nodded and left.One down.

“Jenna,” her mother greeted as she walked up to us. “Deacon. How lovely to see you again, and in one piece,” she said, each word dripping in disdain. I knew at this point anything that came out of that woman’s mouth was a load of horse manure and took it all with a grain of salt.

We shared a smile and I nodded my acknowledgment. “It’s nice to see you again, Ms. McAllister.”

She murmured her acknowledgment, but shifted her gaze from me to Jenna again. “You look nice.”

“Thank you. Is Dad around here?”

“Somewhere,” she gestured widely. “I’m sure he’s just talking with one of his friends from work. I’ll go find him.”Two down.Would it be possible to avoid her for the rest of the evening, I wondered.

Once she was out of sight, I blew out a breath I didn’t know I was holding. “Damn,” I whispered, “is it possible that she hates me even more than before?”

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