“Hey, my skills are limited in that regard. ‘Anyone’ is huge. How about we scale it down to ‘any of your kids’?”
“That’s what I mean.”
“I thought so. Can I ask why?”
“Do you have to?”
Brandon laughed. “Excellent, Mom. Ex-cell-ent. It’s about time you busted out of the convent.”
“I haven’t been in a convent, or even living like a nun.”
“Seriously, Mom. The guys you’ve dated haven’t exactly been hot stuff, even if they did want to get into your panties. That’s the hazard of being fixed up by nice neighbors. Nice guys—who probably want a home-cooked meal more than anything else.”
“Well, they were in the wrong place for that.”
“My mom, the survival cook. I know. It was funny sometimes.”
“Glad I could entertain you.”
Brandon laughed easily.
The sound of his amusement made Jacquie smile, just as it always did. “You could have warned me about them.”
“I somehow suspect you would have rejected any advice to go out, get drunk and get laid. It had to be your own idea, and I, for one, am glad you got there.” A woman protested in the background and Jacquie knew it had to be Elizabeth, chiding Brandon. He chuckled and didn’t change one bit.
“Well, I’m not going to get drunk. I wouldn’t want to miss anything.”
Brandon laughed hard, then coughed as if he’d choked on a sip of coffee.
“Just keep Ashley from calling in the National Guard when I don’t answer the phone at home tonight.”
“When not if,” her son mused. “An all-nighter and one planned in advance. Rock on, Mom.”
“There’s a hotel reservation and, no, I won’t tell you where.”
Brandon made a sound of approval. “Nice. Complete privacy. And he’s laying out the cash, too. Who’s the lucky guy?”
“I had a dinner date with him earlier this week...”
“Woho. News alert: the disappearing man is back. Does this mean you forgave him?”
“He came bearing presents.”
“Roses? Candy?”
Jacquie took a breath and glanced down at the box she was carrying. “New boxing gloves.”
Brandon whistled. “Wow. Is that the perfect gift or what?”
“I think so. They’re red.”
“Oh, audacious choice. He knows you better than you know yourself.”
“Maybe. They’re gorgeous!”
“And the big plan is....”
“The masquerade dance at the club, then...” Jacquie let her voice rise.
“I like it. A little bit of mystery. You’ve got to find the right guy on a crowded dance floor when he’s wearing a mask.”
“I think I’ll manage.”
“Seriously, it sounds promising, Mom.”
“I think it is. I’m looking forward to it.” That was an understatement and Jacquie knew it.
“What’s his name anyway? Just, you know, in case we have to call the National Guard tomorrow.”
Jacquie shook her head. “Pierce. Pierce Aston.”
“Promising Christian name.”
“Brandon!”
Her son cleared his throat. “The whole vanishing-act man-with-a-past thing doesn’t bother you?”
“Everyone has a past, Brandon, and not every relationship has a future. This one is pretty much about right now.”
“Tonight.”
“Exactly.”
“So, it’s a fling not a thing. Just for the record, whose choice was that?”
“We’re in perfect agreement.”
“Are you? Because you’ve never been a fling-y kind of chick, Mom.”
“And I’m learning a new trick.” She shook her head when Brandon chortled. “Get your mind out of the gutter.”
“Me? You’re the one who put it there. My mom is having a hook-up and she’s telling me about it!”
“Just so you can manage your siblings. You don’t need to know anything else.”
“Oh, but now I’m dying for details. Maybe my assistance comes at a price.”
Jacquie used her sternest tone. “You owe me your life, Brandon Erik Morgan, and don’t you ever forget it.”
“Yes, Mom. Got it, Mom. Number two son reporting for duty. There will be no phone calls on my watch.”
“Thank you,” she said, letting him hear her relief.
His voice softened. “Hey, Mom. Seriously. Have fun and stay safe. Call me if you need anything, okay? No questions asked.”
Jacquie smiled. “Thank you, Brandon.” She made a kissing sound and he groaned the way he always did at any show of affection, then she ended the call.
She ducked into the subway station, walking quickly. She had to get home and get changed. She wasn’t going to pack a bag, not exactly, but she would tuck a few things into her big purse and leave it in the club’s office.
Being organized wasn’t something she could completely discard, even for a night with Pierce. She smiled to herself, thinking she could plan for spontaneity just as he’d suggested.
She suspected she was going to like it just fine.
And there she was.
Pierce didn’t realize he’d been concerned until he spotted Jacquie at the F5F dance club. With that last detail, his plan was falling into place.
It was after eleven by the time he reached the club and he’d had to tip the bouncer to even get in the door. He’d fallen asleep after delivering the gloves to Jacquie, which was a good thing—he felt himself again—but he’d slept longer than expected. Even the alarm hadn’t registered after three days and nights of working. The club was packed and he had a moment of doubt that he would find her in time. What was it about Jacquie that made him question his own plans and abilities? The music was loud and the building was vibrating with it. There were strobe lights in the dance floor and colored spotlights fanning the crowd.
Pierce wondered who on the marketing team had come up with the brilliant idea of a superhero theme for the party. Tights, Lycra and skimpy costumes were the ideal combination to show off the perfectly-toned and muscled bodies of the club members, and they were obviously loving the chance to strut their stuff. Even with masks, he could recognize many of them—in fact, he was more likely to know their real identities than the names of the superheroes they were impersonating.
There was no mistaking Jacquie once he spotted her. She was dressed as Wonder Woman, but a red-headed one. She wore a very short blue skirt, a red corset and wide gold belt. She wore tall black boots and striped tights, though her arms were bare, except for a
