Just a Little White Lie(44)
Heat flooded her. “You set me up!”
“You made it easy…and necessary.”
“You smug son of a—”
The bathroom door swung open, and Wanda Sue stepped out, her look of surprise and shock quickly turning to the expression of a four-year-old who’d just spotted Santa. She took in the photographer, Donald with the smear of lipstick, Lucinda with what had to be panic written all over her.
“Well, well. Isn’t this interesting.”
“You don’t understand, Wanda Sue.”
“Oh, really? Does Jake know you two are back here in the hallway kissing?”
“Yes,” an all too familiar voice snapped. “He does.”
“Jake!”
A muscle worked in his jaw. “Grandma Hattie’s hungry. She’s ready to order. I came back to make sure everything was okay.”
Lucinda tugged at her earring. “Everything’s fine. I was on my way back to the table.”
He grasped her arm in a firm grip. “I can see that.”
Another flash. Another picture.
“What the hell?” He rounded on the photographer.
“Don’t.” She grabbed his shirt sleeve. “Don’t make it worse.”
“You should’ve seen—” Wanda Sue started.
Lucinda turned on her, watched her fiery glare douse the woman’s excitement. “Wanda Sue, this really doesn’t concern you. I suggest you take yourself back to the table. We’ll be right there.”
“Yeah.” She smirked. “I’ll just bet.”
She scurried out of sight. Lucinda could only guess what she’d tell them at the table.
“Let’s go,” Jake said. Face muscles taut, he glowered at Donald. “Can’t say it’s been a pleasure. You have a safe trip home now, you hear?”
His Southern drawl dripped venom.
“Oh, no doubt I will,” Donald said smoothly. “In a few days.”
Lucinda and Jake both stared at him.
“Since I happen to have a few free days,” he continued, “I’ve decided I might as well hang around. Do a little sightseeing.”
“There’s nothing here to see,” Jake growled.
“Oh yes, there is. And you happen to have your hands on her. When I leave, I plan to take Lucinda, my fiancée, with me.”
“Donald—” Lucinda started.
He walked away.
The photographer evaporated like smoke.
Beside her, Jake made an animal noise deep in his throat. “The lawyer in me is having one helluva time controllin’ the alley-cat brawler inside that wants to beat that son of a pup to a bloody pulp.”
“You’d be playing into his hands, Jake.”
“Yeah, I know.” His eyes shot fire. “Always did love a good game of poker.”
“Jake—”
“Yeah, yeah. I know. Let’s get out of here, Luce.” Jake tugged at her hand. “This whole night has been the pits, from beginning to end.”
Her heart was in her throat, beating so fast she was sure she’d die from it. And she wanted nothing more than to turn her back on the whole mess and walk away. But she couldn’t. They couldn’t. They had obligations, didn’t they?
“Jake, your family—”
“Forget my family! Dad set up this whole thing! Mom and Gram will understand.”
“Wanda Sue?”
“Son of a…” The air turned blue with his thoughts on that subject.
She lifted a brow while he finished his rant. “So, why don’t you tell me how you really feel?” she asked him.
A snarl was his only answer.
Again, he tugged her hand. “Time to chill, get away from all this. And I know just the place. Come on.”
He pulled her through the restaurant, ignoring his father’s orders to sit back down.
“We still have things to discuss, son.”
“I don’t think so, Dad. We’re done here, believe me. More than done.”
Trudy’s face had gone pale, and Grandma Hattie looked extremely upset, hand over her heart as though in great pain.
“Jake, your grandmother—” Lucinda began.
He cut her off. “She’s fine.” He sent the older woman a knowing look. “Right, Gram? You’re absolutely fine, aren’t you? Even your ticker.”
“Jake!” His mother’s color returned, heightened. “You’re being unbelievably rude. This isn’t like you.”
“Yeah, well, I don’t like being managed. By anybody.” His gaze seared first his father, then his grandmother.
Hattie laid a hand on her daughter-in-law’s arm. “Let him go, Trudy. He’s right. I’m fine.”
“But—”
“Later, Mom. Right now, I need to get out of here. I’ll call tomorrow.” He ran a finger under his tie, tugging it loose, and slid his other arm protectively around Lucy’s waist. He glared at his father. “Lucy’s leaving with me.”