Except for a light over the stove, the place was dark. Gemma switched on the kitchen wall lamps.
“Imani?”
Her truck was out front as well as Mama’s car. Gemma walked through to the living room where she found Justin sitting in the shadows, the only light coming from a light on in the bedroom hallway. He jumped to his feet, a nervous twitch.
“Miss Gemma.”
“Justin.” She gave him a stern look. “What are you doing here?”
Beyond the walls, the dogs barked to be let in. Gemma reached for the back door. All five scrambled inside over the high wrought iron steps.
“Waiting for Imani. We’re meeting my folks at Ella’s for a burger. She said she was going to text you.”
“She didn’t.” Burgers at Ella’s? Something didn’t add up. This whole scene was suspicious. Very suspicious. “Where’s Mama?”
“Don’t know.” With a shrug, he averted his gaze to his feet. He couldn’t look her in the eye and there was only one of two reasons for that as far as she was concerned.
Gemma invited him to sit then made her way down the short hall to Imani’s room.
“Imani.” She tapped on the girl’s door.
“Gemma?” Her surprised voice was followed by a bump and bang, then the door swung open, a breathless Imani shoving back her hair and yanking her jeans at the waist. “Hey, what are you doing here?” She looked away, pretending to search for something on her dresser.
“I live here. What’s going on?”
“Nothing.” Imani looked at Gemma, her gaze barely holding on.
“Justin’s here.”
“Is he? Really? I didn’t hear him come in.” Imani started past Gemma but she caught her by the arm.
“Why are you in your room, door closed? Why did you open the door breathless and adjusting your clothes?”
“Because I was changing. Geez Gemma. Stop accusing me. We’re going to dinner with Justin’s parents. I texted you.”
“I didn’t get it.”
“Well, I know I texted you.”
“You didn’t know Justin was here? How come his truck is not out front.”
“His truck is in the shop. His friend Cap dropped him off after band practice.”
“Oh not at his own house where he could ride to dinner with his parents?”
“We wanted to ride together. Gemma, what’s with the third degree? Besides, JoJo asked me to help with the Christmas play this year at the Kids Theater,” Imani said. “Justin volunteered too. We’re meeting her at the Kids Theater before we eat. Afterwards we’re helping with the town’s fall decorations. We’ll be at the Gardenia gazebo. Then I’m taking him home.” She made a face. “Do you approve of our plan?”
Gemma folded her arms. “I will when you tell me what you do in your room, making a racket, door locked. Changing your clothes.”
“Am I not allowed to change my clothes?”
Gemma stepped into the room and shut the door behind her. “What’s going on?”
“Nothing.”
“Imani.”
“Gemma, I’m telling you, nothing is going on.”
