Page 17 of Resurrection
Jury squealed, “Only one thing to do. Let’s go shopping!”
Imogen looked over at her sister and couldn’t help but grin. “All right. Where to?”
Three hours and six thousand bags, it seemed like, later, Imogen and Jury walked into the hotel lobby after handing the SUV keys to a valet.
“Whoa. Looks like you girls had some fun,” Dad said as he and Mom paused near the concierge desk.
“And this explains why you didn’t answer when we knocked,” Mom added.
“Glad to see you girls enjoying each other’s company,” Dad said.
“It was so much fun,” Jury replied. “Now we just have to decide what Im is going to wear on her date.”
Imogen onlypartiallywanted to strangle her sister into silence. Not enough to kill her … just enough to quiet her down a bit.
“A date?” Mom and Dad spoke in stereo.
“You don’t date,” Mom said.
“She does now. Apparently, all it took was a super-hot tattoo artist to shake her loose.”
“A tattoo artist?” Dad’s eyebrows shot up.
“Not a criminal. A tattoo artist,” Imogen said.
They all went silent for an awkward beat.
“And he’s taking her to Brennan’s for dinner,” Jury said to cut the tension.
Mom’s eyes sparkled. “I like him already. Good taste.”
“And he’s picking her up.Andhe walked us to the car because he said you can’t be too careful around Canal, even during the day.”
Dad’s expression turned thoughtful. “Okay, I might like him already too. What’s his name?”
“Niquaise St. Clair,” Jury added. “He lives in the French Quarter in a bomb-ass house he inherited.”
“Nic. He goes by Nic,” Imogen said.
“How do you know all this already?” Mom asked. “Although I’m definitely liking what I’m hearing.”
“We met him yesterday,” Jury said. “He’s a super-nice guy. You’ll love him.”
“Whoa, whoa. It’s just one date, okay? We’re not meeting the parents yet.”
“Well, I, for one, would prefer to meet him sooner rather than later if there’s a chance this could be serious,” Dad replied.
Imogen felt his words all the way to her gut. Clearly, he had some regrets about Mount and Keira too.
“Look, it’s one date. If it turns into more, you’ll be the first to know. I bet Jury will tell you faster than I could, even if I wanted to,” she said with a side-eye glance toward her sister.
“We will all be waiting with bated breath, I’m sure,” Dad said. “And, Im, this is great. Thank you. I think we needed something else to focus on right now.”
He held out his arm, and with her hands full of bags, Imogen leaned in for his hug.
“I love you, Dad.” She had to say it. Now that she knew that anytime she saw him could be the last, it felt right to say it early and often.
“I love you too, kiddo.” He squeezed her tight. “Be safe tonight, you hear?”
