“No, ma’am. I know your son, well, know of. My in-laws have spoken about him.”
I hold in a snort. They probably don’t speak well of me, that’s for certain. “Are the Elliotts here today?”
All I care about is hearing Val’s voice, but I don’t want to be obvious.
“Oh yeah, we come every Sunday. In fact, my sister-in-law is waving me down now.”
I instinctively turn, hoping it’s Val. A floral scent envelops me, and my heart sinks. Val doesn’t wear that perfume.
Since when do you know what Val smells like?
“Ms. Hall, this is my sister-in-law, Fran. Fran, this is Paula Hall, and I’m assuming you know Jabari.”
The way he says that makes me wonder if he’s silently cursing my name and wishing lightning would strike.
“Yes. Nice to see you again.”
There’s amusement in her voice, and I’m starting to think she knows about me in terms of more recent events. I blink. If she knows, does that mean everyone in the family does or just Fran? How much has Val said?
“Great seeing you again.” The choice of greeting is horribly ironic. I don’t see a hand in my peripheral view so hopefully she doesn’t think I’m rude if she’s actually holding one out.
“You just missed Val. She went to the bathroom with Jackie to help Ollie.”
“Thanks for the heads-up,” Isaac says. “Do they need help?”
“Nope.” Fran pauses. “Ms. Hall, Jabari, what are y’all doing after church?”
“Oh, I don’t know if we have any plans.” Mom hooks her arm through mine. “Did you have any suggestions for us, Fran? Any place I need to sightsee while I’m here visiting?”
“You’re visiting?” Fran practically coos. “Why don’t y’all have lunch with us?”
“Fran,” Isaac snaps.
“What?” Fran asks innocently.
I clear my throat, trying to fight the laughter welling up. Fran is still a firecracker.
“What’s going on over here?” a deep voice asks.
I stiffen. The commanding voice that just ruined my laughter belongs to Val’s father. There isnomistaking that boom.
“Daddy, I just invited Jabari and his mother to lunch with us.”
“Is that so?” Controlled fury rolls in his voice.
If what Val says is true, Fran will get away with this faux pas. Val paints a picture of her sisters always getting away with murder. The way Don Elliott sounds, I’m definitely facing a grave crime.
“I appreciate the invite,” I interject. I’m not sure if they’ll actually argue in front of me and my mom, but I don’t want to chance it. “But we already have reservations.” It’s a bold-faced lie, but one I’ll tell again to save Fran’s skin and make it less awkward for Val.
“Where at? We have standing reservations after church at Le Diplomate. It shouldn’t be a problem to add two more people.”
Come again? Don Elliottwantsus to join him? Or is he trying to see me squirm?
I straighten my shoulders. “Thank you, sir. We appreciate the offer.” I look down at Mom. “How does that sound to you?”
“If that’s what you want to do,” she whispers.
It may not be the best decision, but I’m known for going after what I want. After Raimo and Javier helped me brainstorm last night, winning over Val’s family was put on our strategy list.
