No Love Allowed(31)

“Of course you wouldn’t.” Nathan leaned back against the bar on his elbows.

“What does that mean?”

“You’re immune to public scrutiny.”

Heat climbed his neck again, this time for an entirely different reason. “I’m tempted to dump the rest of my root beer on your suede boots.”

Nathan flinched. “Don’t you dare! And don’t get pissed at me for stating the obvious. It’s a good thing Amber isn’t here. She’s been asking around about Didi. Seems like our ugly-duckling-turned-swan has made quite an impression on your ex.”

His rising anger cooled significantly at the mention of Amber. He wondered why she would have any interest in Didi. Then the rest of Nathan’s words sank in. “Call Didi ugly one more time and your boots will really get it.”

“Now, that’s just mean, and after I shared information about Amber too. Unlike you, she doesn’t have a father who forces her to attend these things. Whoever decided on a hoe-down for the Summer Swing should be shot.”

As if mention of his father conjured him out of thin air, JJ walked into the barn in almost exactly the same attire as Caleb’s, except he had a jacket over his plaid shirt and a cowboy hat on his head. Ice replaced the blood in Caleb’s veins. Hell had just frozen over.

“What is he doing here?” he blurted out as his father scanned the gathering right about the same time Didi let out a loud whoop on the dance floor.

“I thought he would be in court all day,” Nathan said back, in total bewilderment.

“I thought so too.” Caleb’s stomach sank as his father’s gaze finally landed on him. He shifted his weight away from the stool he leaned on to stand straighter when his father began winding his way toward them. Once in a while a group would call for his attention and he would stop.

Tight fists at his side, Caleb flicked glances at Didi. For a crazy second he wanted to pull her out of the barn and escape. Unfortunately for them, his father had already seen him. Leaving would only bring worse consequences later. But he hadn’t prepared Didi for meeting JJ Parker. He’d actually hoped they wouldn’t have to meet—insane as the thought may have been. Maybe he could make up some excuse. . . .

“Incoming,” Nathan whispered before plastering a wide grin on his face. “Uncle JJ, you made it.”

“Nathan.” His father took his nephew’s hand for a brief-yet-firm handshake. “Why did I just get a bill for a fourteen-piece jazz band?”

“Ah.” Nathan nodded. “They are the entertainment for the Roaring Twenties party we’re throwing our boy. It’s going to be spectacular. Trust me.”

JJ laughed—full and throaty. “You should have been the one to plan this thing.”

“I certainly would have done better than a barn.”

JJ laughed again.

Caleb’s anxiety rocketed up to the point where pinpricks of sweat gathered along his forehead. His father in a good mood made his actions even more unpredictable. JJ and Nathan spoke about the dreaded birthday party for a few more minutes. When he finally finished with Nathan, JJ moved his attention to his intended target with the efficiency of a predator on the hunt.

“Caleb.” He nodded once.

“Father.” Caleb returned the nod. The air between them crackled with tension. All the lightness Didi had brought with her evaporated. “I thought you were due in court today.”

“The case was dismissed on the grounds of insufficient evidence,” he said smoothly. “Since I had time I thought I would drop by and introduce myself to this girl everyone has been talking about.”

Caleb’s blood ran cold. Shit. Of course news of Didi would have reached JJ. But he never imagined the Devil would actually come to an event just to meet her. He was about to make an excuse when Didi appeared by his side and kissed his cheek before turning her attention to JJ.

“Hello, I’m Diana Alexander.” She reached out her hand and kept it there, waiting. “But they call me Didi.”

“They?” his father asked in bemusement.

“It’s her thing,” Nathan clarified.

Fighting the shock brought on by Didi’s sudden appearance, Caleb caught the smirk on his father’s lips as he took Didi’s hand in his. For a murderous second, he wanted to yank her away. She shouldn’t be touching someone like JJ. She was too pure. Too good.

“It’s nice to finally meet you, Didi,” his father said. “I’m Jordan Parker, Caleb’s father. You may call me JJ.”

In her own innocent way, Didi asked, “What’s the other J for?”

“Joseph.”

“Okay, JJ.” Then she surprised everyone by saying, “I’m still deciding if it’s nice to meet you.”

In a beat of panic where Caleb scrambled to put out a possible fire by saying something, his father interrupted him by laughing. Again. Was the man drunk or something?

Mute, holding on to Didi’s waist, Caleb half-sat on the stool again. He took comfort in the warmth of Didi’s hand over his pounding heart.

“Fair enough.” JJ tapped the bar and ordered a beer. “So, tell me about yourself, Didi.”

And here came the inquisition.

Didi unflinchingly said, “There’s not much to tell. I like painting.”