Lane pulled to the curb and stopped. “You’re right, if this is something about Italian families, I don’t understand it. But, I don’t want to insult uncles Sal and Vinnie. They’re sweet old men who obviously can afford this gift; after all, they wear suits that cost thousands of dollars. Okay, I don’t get it, but I’ll keep the car. I’ll tell them when we get back.”
Five minutes later when they pulled into the driveway, the found that Sal and Vinnie had gone.
“Do you have their numbers in your cell? Dial one of them and give me the phone.”
Ben pulled out his phone. “I dialed Vinnie,” He said as he handed the phone to Lane. Uncle Vinnie answered in Italian and she didn’t understand a word.
She waited until he paused. “Uncle Vinnie, it’s Lane. I’d like to invite you for brunch at my home tomorrow to thank you for the lovely gift. You can get the address from Ben. Around eleven o’clock would be wonderful. No, I’ll call Uncle Sal next. Yes, I look forward to seeing you too.” She handed the phone back to Ben. “Okay, now Uncle Sal, please.” She had an almost identical conversation with him before handing the phone back to Ben.
“You know you’re on the hook to be in my kitchen helping prepare whatever appropriate Italian cuisine that would poison or offend them if prepared by my hands. I can take care of the normal American cuisine.”
Ben laughed. “That means shopping on the way home tonight and getting some things simmering before bed. Brunch at eleven o’clock means I need to start sauce tonight. I guess I’ll be staying at the Parker’s tonight.”
“It’s a deal,” she said as she noticed Colin Burke talking with Mick.
She and Ben walked over to talk with him. “Colin, I didn’t see you earlier. It’s so nice of you to come.”
“I got here late. I guess I came when you were out test driving your birthday present.”
Lane smiled. “Yes, well, Ben’s uncles were quite generous.” She motioned Jess over. “Gentlemen, I’d like to present my daughter Jessica Parker. Jess, this is Detective Mick McGuire and Fire Captain Colin Burke. They were a big help this week. Detective McGuire was in charge of the murder investigation and Captain Burke investigated the car fire. They’re friends of Ben’s.”
Jess looked up at each of the faces. Mick was so obviously in love with her mother that she hurt for him. Colin on the other hand was looking down at Jess as though she might be dessert. This was going to be fun. She smiled.
“Detective, it’s a pleasure to meet you,” she said as she shook Mick’s hand.
“Captain,” she said as she shook Colin’s hand.
Jess was five feet four inches tall and usually made up for it by wearing five inch high platform heels but tonight she was wearing shorts so she had on three inch high wedge sandals. Colin was just over six feet tall making him about six inches taller that she was. He was a good-looking guy and it was obvious from his demeanor that he was used to women swooning over his title, his muscles, and his looks. Colin apparently hadn’t taken some things into consideration. The obvious thing was that with Ben Bellini standing next to him Colin was nearly invisible. Not that Jess ever thought of Ben that way, just that she was stating the obvious. Then Colin was unaware that Jess was used to Hollywood types, gorgeous men with HUGE egos. Most importantly was that Jess Parker just didn’t swoon. Ever. Well, maybe if it was written in a script. She turned to walk away.
“Jess, could I buy you a drink?”
She turned and smiled. “Captain, it’s an open bar, but I can show you the way.” As she’d thought earlier, this was going to be fun; after all, she liked a good game of cat and mouse especially since she was always the cat.
“Call me Colin,” he said as he followed her toward the kitchen. Jess held up a tumbler and raised an eyebrow. He opted for a Jack and Coke. She added ice and a generous portion of Jack Daniels before adding a splash of Coke. Let’s see how the man handles his liquor. She filled a rocks glass with ice, added Diet Coke, and a splash of Jack for herself. She handed him his glass and suggested that they go outside.
Meg and Jake had returned to the patio after seeing Lane’s new car and were sitting at the same table they’d occupied earlier. Jess could have sat down with them, but it’s so much easier to play cat and mouse alone and since she was only home for a couple of days, this had to be a quick game anyway.
Inside, the party was winding down, and it seemed that Lane spent much of her time at the door accepting birthday wishes, shaking hands, hugging people, and kissing cheeks. She looked around the house. Ben was such a neat freak, and while the party guests were civilized, there’s always a mess after a party. Jamie was already making the rounds picking up dirty glasses and plates and carrying them into the kitchen. Lane wondered where the rest of the Parker clean-up crew was. She was certain that the kids had promised to do the clean-up if Ben would provide the location. She was also certain that Ben had hired a professional clean-up crew to come in Sunday and that, the kids would only have to do pick up duty.
“A fire captain. That sounds like a really important job.” Jess actually fluttered her eyelashes. It was like bowling in a way, set ‘em up, knock ‘em down. “You must have to be really smart and strong for that.” Yes, she really did touch his bicep. “Oooh, you must work out all of the time.”
Ben looked through the window overlooking the patio. He pulled out his phone and sent Jess a text.
Jess’s phone buzzed and she looked down. “Ease up kitty, shoes if u r nice.” It wasn’t fair, Ben knew her weakness. Okay, she’d play nice. Besides, it was getting late.
“It’s too bad you got here so late. We’re having a little brunch tomorrow. Maybe you could come by our house.” She took Colin’s phone and put her number in it. “You can text me if you want the address.” She tossed her head drawing attention to her thick, carefully highlighted, blonde hair, which fell perfectly around her shoulders. “I have clean-up duty.” She got up, and smiled. The poor guy hadn’t said a word. Dessert my ass, she thought as she sent Ben a text.
Ben looked at his phone. “Loubouton Carlota.” He had no idea what they looked like, but he knew the heel would be over five inches, they’d be Italian, and they’d be expensive. For years, he’d been using her shoe habit to bribe her. In fact as an announcement that he was dating Lane, he’d sent Jess three pairs of custom made Italian shoes because she’d made an off-hand comment that anyone who got next to her mother was going to have to cough up a specific pair of shoes in red, electric blue and black.
Jake saw Jess get up. “I guess it’s time to start with the clean-up. We promised Ben.” He stood up. “This was nice,” he said.
Meg stood up too. “I can help with clean-up.” She smiled. They walked around the patio picking up glasses and plates before heading into the kitchen.
Jamie was loading the dishwasher. “Just put them on the counter. Mom invited Ben’s uncles to brunch tomorrow at home, so Ben and Mom are going to the store. I’ll stay here and do dish duty. I can text when I’m finished so you can come back for me.”
“You could probably drive Ben’s Navigator home. He’ll be with Mom in her new car but he’ll want the SUV tomorrow.”
Jake and Meg made a sweep of the house and ran into Jess.
She looked at Jake and Meg and smiled. “Meg, why don’t you join us tomorrow for brunch?”
Chapter 21
Sunday Brunch
Ben was glad that there was an all-night grocery nearby. He only used fresh ingredients. It wouldn’t be an Italian family Sunday brunch without handmade pasta and Bellini special sauce.
They were at the grocery when Ben’s cell rang. “Bellini. Sure, Bambino, you know where the keys are. I’m going to be up half the night making pasta and sauce anyway.” Ben looked at Lane. “Jamie is staying to do dish duty. He’s going to drive the Navigator home when he’s finished.”