Page 39 of Ignacio

“Delta J, it’s nice to finally meet you,” he said.

Ignacio’s gaze lowered to where King held Delta’s hand between both of his. Did he have to hold on to her that long?

“Nice to meet you too,” she replied.

“Can I introduce you to my mother?”

“Please. She’s the reason I’m here.”

“Keep in mind, she had no idea you were coming.”

They walked over to Elizabeth Brockwell, a brown-skinned woman with lively eyes. She was tall, almost six feet, which let Ignacio know the Brockwell brothers had inherited their height from both parents. Benjamin Brockwell stood beside his wife.

When she saw them, Elizabeth’s eyes brightened even more, and her mouth fell open. “Delta J? Wh?—”

“Happy birthday, Mother,” King said, looking mighty pleased with himself.

Elizabeth pressed a hand to her chest. “I cannot believe you invited her here for me.”

“He didn’t just invite me. I’m singing, and if you think I’m here to sing happy birthday, think again.”

“Oh my goodness.”

Delta hooked her arm through Elizabeth’s. “How about I sing two of your favorites, ‘Beat of My Heart’ and ‘Love Me’?”

Elizabeth laughed. “This is incredible. I would be honored for you to do that for me.” She looked at her son and then her husband.

Benjamin smiled. “This was all King’s doing. We wanted to make tonight special for you, and this was the best way we knew how.”

“Well, it’s certainly very special, and I can’t wait to hear you sing.” Tears brimmed in Elizabeth’s eyes, and Ignacio couldn’t imagine the strain her diagnosis had placed on her and her family.

“This is Ignacio Santana, Delta’s partner,” King said.

Elizabeth studied his face. “You look familiar. Do I know you?”

“He’s an actor, Mother, and we’re producing one of his films.”

“Oh my goodness, please forgive me. Despite the family business, I don’t watch a lot of movies, but I do recognize your face. A gorgeous face like yours is unforgettable.”

They all had a good laugh. Minutes later, they met King’s younger brothers, Chance and Romeo, and then mingled with the rest of the guests, including the trio of musicians who were going to perform with Delta.

There was plenty of food and a DJ was playing music, but no one was dancing. Eventually, a staff member wheeled out a huge cake, and they all sang “Happy Birthday” to Elizabeth while she stood with her hands clasped together, her expression a mix of emotion and appreciation.

An hour and a half passed while they mingled and ate with the other guests. Then Delta left Ignacio’s side to join her bandmates.

She stepped onto the small, elevated stage where the DJ had previously been performing, and the crowd quieted in anticipation. The lights dimmed, and the mini-concert began. Behind her was a pianist, but he might as well have been invisible because Delta was the star, with the chandelier above casting golden light on her dark brown skin.

As she sang the words to ‘Beat of My Heart,’ crooning into the microphone, she locked eyes with Ignacio. Was this part of her act, or was she sending him a message?

He couldn’t help but feel as if she were singingtohim, as if those words of love and devotion were real and directed specifically at him. Others must have had the same thought because several people turned in his direction with knowing smiles on their faces.

Ignacio sipped his drink. Act or not, emotion burned through him as he watched Delta clutching the mic and singing her heart out. After the first two songs, the applause was thunderous in the small space.

Delta’s gaze swept the audience. “This last song, ‘Love Me,’ is very special to me. I co-wrote it with a very good friend of mine. It’s a song about love and longing. I know it’s one of your favorites.” She smiled at Elizabeth seated in front of the stage. “It’s one of mine too.”

When Delta began to sing, a hushed silence fell over the audience once again. The depth of emotion in her voice filled every corner of the room. Elizabeth swayed in her seat in front of the stage, cradled in her husband’s arms. Her three sons stood behind them.

Ignacio had heard Delta sing plenty of times, but he never grew tired of her voice and the magical way the words vibrated on her vocal cords. This song, in particular, had such a haunting melody that he ended up holding his breath.

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