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“Well, I can certainly hear the enthusiasm in your voice. We were just talking to Trent about rewarding jobs. Weren’t we, Trent?”
“What my mother is trying to say, in her obscure and convoluted way, is that she does not approve of me owning a nightclub.”
“Oh, Mrs. Dailey, your son’s nightclub isn’t exactly a dive. It seems to me that it does pretty well.” Crystal wasn’t sure if her opinion counted for much, but she couldn’t stand there and let Mrs. Dailey berate Trent about his club. He was obviously a good businessman.
It wouldn’t do anyone any good to get into an argument with Trent’s mother, however, especially the first time out. The first time? Who said anything about future visits? Oh Lord, she was in so damn deep.
“I’m sure the nightclub is . . . fine. I just think that Trent’s potential lies elsewhere. He belongs back at home and working with his father.”
“Mom, don’t go into that again. I like this town, I like the nightclub, and I’m quite comfortable right where I am.” He looked at Crystal as he finished the rest of his statement, “Anyway, I’m rather addicted to the beautiful people here.”
Mrs. Dailey was staring in thoughtful silence at Trent; tension filled the air all at once. And it was Mr. Dailey who broke it by changing the subject.
“Crystal, I’m delighted to meet you.” He stuck his hand out for her to shake, and she took it with a smile. She found it warm and inviting, not like Mrs. Dailey’s colder, thinner hands.
“It’s good to meet you, too. I see Trent gets his good looks from the both of you.”
To her joy, his face lit up, and his eyes sparkled. The man was tall, probably over six feet, and had Trent’s same broad shoulders. She could also see, even with his now graying hair, the dark raven color woven throughout. It would have been the same color as Trent’s in his younger days. His face seemed chiseled right out of a stone block, but when he’d smiled his appearance altered. He looked more approachable, less like the stern father. Still, Trent’s mom was going to be one tough nut to crack. The woman’s expression had yet to change as she stared over at her son. His arms were crossed over his chest and he stared right back. Trent was definitely a chip off the stubborn block. Mrs. Dailey was clearly determined to have her way, and Trent was every bit as determined to not let her.
Crystal was about to change the subject, to move them onto safer ground, when another voice intruded on the silence.
“I have yet to meet Trent’s friend.”
Crystal noticed Trent stiffen as if readying for battle when the brother stepped up to the plate and gave her his full attention.
“I’m the better-looking brother, by the way.”
“You wish,” Trent growled.
Josh didn’t even blink; he simply stared at her. Like some old world duke he bent and kissed the back of her hand. Crystal couldn’t prevent a smile at the ridiculous gesture.
“It’s nice to meet you, Josh.”
“Trent asked me to come for a drink here last night, but I had a prior engagement. Now I’m sorely disappointed I didn’t cancel.”
“Josh, don’t start. I’m warning you,” Trent bit out.
Crystal could see things quickly deteriorating into a chest-pounding brawl, and as she watched Trent’s parents quietly staring in rebuke, it made her feel a bit sorry for Trent. He’d done so well for himself; clearly he could have had
it all handed to him, if only he’d agreed to work for his father. Instead, he’d set out on his own.
“You know, I have an idea,” Trent said. “How about we all do dinner tonight? The five of us. There’s a great place across town that serves a mean streak.” Just as Crystal was about to protest, Trent bulldozed right over her. “That way you can get to know Crystal better.”
She suddenly felt cornered. “I really don’t want to intrude,” she replied.
Trent touched her cheek and said, “It’s not an intrusion. We can meet at Todd’s Steak House at six o’clock.”
His mother spoke up, her voice as imposing as any queen’s. “That will do fine. Thank you for the invitation. In the meantime, your father and I plan to have Josh drop us off at our condominium. He brought us straight here from the airport, and we are quite exhausted.”
She turned at that and strode toward a back door, apparently expecting the four of them to follow along. The funny thing was, just like good little children, they all did follow silently along. Crystal wanted to laugh at the idea of Trent’s father submissively trailing behind his wife. Crystal had a feeling Mrs. Dailey was the only person on the planet who would have ever expected Mr. Dailey to obey a command.
Trent’s mother turned when she reached the door and kissed Trent’s cheek. “We still have things to discuss, son.” Without giving Trent a chance to respond, Mrs. Dailey looked over at Crystal and said, “It was very nice to meet you, Crystal. I look forward to getting to know you better.”
After they left, Crystal turned toward Trent. “What did you get me into?”
He grinned, totally unrepentant. “Dinner. I’ll take any chance I can get to see you again.”
“Oh,” she said, as her stomach fluttered. “I’d like that very much.”
