No Love Allowed(46)

Natasha blinked in surprise. “For what?”

“For being so nice to me.” Needing something to do with her fidgety fingers, she played with the belt of the silk robe she had borrowed. “You, Nathan, even Preston. You have all been so nice to me.” A pinch of sadness entered her heart. “I’m going to miss all of you when this is over.”

“Hey.” Natasha placed her hands on Didi’s shoulders and bent down so their reflections were at face level with each other. Her full lips stretched into a gentle smile. “Who says we can’t be friends after this summer ends?”

Didi’s eyebrows came up. “Really?”

“Really.” She placed a quick kiss on Didi’s cheek. “Caleb’s lucky to have someone like you in his life. We all are.”

At the mention of his name, Didi blushed for a whole different reason. She hadn’t seen him in a couple of days. Not because he hadn’t been around. Quite the opposite. He had visited her house every day leading up to his birthday party, but she kept turning him away, citing being busy, when all she really wanted to do was take him to her room and make out for the next few hours. Caleb had been gracious enough to leave her alone after checking in on her. He had nothing to worry about, she had told him. Then, after he had left, all she had wanted to do was call him back.

Nathan had made good on his promise of a Roaring Twenties party, Caleb thought as he walked the floor of the opulent ballroom that redefined decadence and excess. Everything was a touch over the top.

The fourteen-piece band delivered jaunty jazz that floated in the air among the strains of conversation. Trumpets blared. Saxophones wailed. All accompanied by the stunning beats of drums. Snare drums. Bass drums. Drums of every kind. The band members even had choreography depending on the song they were playing.

Gold and silver streamers hung from the ceiling, catching the light from the massive chandelier. Thank goodness it was crystal and had gone with the theme. Otherwise he was sure Nathan would have had it removed and replaced.

Over the dance floor dangled clear balloons filled with gold and silver confetti, like upside-down orbs waiting to pop. No one was dancing yet. Guests were still arriving. But he expected that to change soon with the amount of alcohol being served.

A twelve-foot black-and-white cake with edible pearls sat in a corner. His name was spelled out in gold letters, while unlit sparklers stuck out of the top three layers. Several bathtubs filled with ice overflowed with top-shelf gin. Bartenders dressed as gangsters mixed signature drinks: mint juleps for the men, and champagne punch for the women, since Caleb hadn’t been able to decide on just one when asked for his input. Beautiful cigarette girls with their box hats mingled, trays of drinks and hors d’oeuvres hanging from their necks. Table centerpieces boasted more crystals and feathers and glitter.

All that sparkled, all that shone could be found inside the Parker Estate that night.

The guests had gone all out with their attire too. Flapper dresses and tuxedoes indeed. Many of them seemed straight out of grandma’s and grandpa’s closet. Vintage took on a different name. The women were gorgeous and the men dapper. Cigars were passed around. Cigarettes with long filters too.

One massive table was filled to the edges with gift bags for when the guests left. Knowing his cousin, their contents would follow the night’s theme. No matter how much he disliked the mention of his birthday because of all the fuss, Caleb had to admit that Nathan had done a mighty fine job. In his heart, he knew his mother would have enjoyed something like this. He looked up and smiled. Ever since that afternoon with Didi in her painting room, thinking about his mother hadn’t hurt as much.

“What do you think?” Nathan asked, grabbing Caleb by the shoulders.

“Baz Luhrmann has nothing on you.” He picked up two mint juleps from a passing cigarette girl and handed one to his cousin. “I don’t think anyone would mind one drink.”

Nathan accepted his and grinned. “A toast,” he yelled, and the people nearest them quieted. “To my cousin, for having the good sense to leave the planning to me. Happy birthday, Caleb!” He raised his glass.

A chorus of “Happy Birthdays” came from the crowd as they raised their glasses. Caleb tapped glasses with Nathan, and they both took a sip at the same time. Smiles all around. A great and wonderful energy floated in the air.

“You like it?” Nathan asked, choked up by emotion.

“I know I’ve been a massive buzzkill while you were planning this, and I’m sorry. You are a genius.” He pulled his cousin into a hug and patted his back.

“Oh, good.” Nathan discreetly swiped at tears. “Because I didn’t get you anything else.”

He laughed. “You did good. Proud of you.”

A twinkle entered Nathan’s eyes. “Wait till you see the fireworks.”

“Fireworks?”

Instead of responding, Nathan’s gaze moved toward the top of the stairs. As if his body could sense Didi’s arrival, Caleb’s heart pumped faster. He turned to face the steps to the ballroom fully to find Didi scanning the crowd.

Caleb’s heart skipped a beat. She took his breath away in a beaded dress in a color similar to the blushes she got when he teased her. The fringe at the hem moved when she did. The beads scattered down the front caught the chandelier light and sparkled. Drop earrings dangled from her ears while a headband brought attention to the soft waves of her hair. Seeing her all dressed up was stunning.