Nell had stopped in front of the old jukebox, and Al, with his enormous belly and grease-spattered apron, came out from the kitchen. He and Nell did an excellent rock-and-roll dance to Elvis’s song. Al hels scame out d her hand as they gyrated around, then he lifted Nell above his head, always being careful that his grease didn’t touch her.
“They’re good dancers,” Jecca said.
“No better than we are together,” he said softly, his lips on her ear. “Other women get scared when I try to dip them. But not you. You’re the best I’ve ever danced with.”
“Really?”
“Very much so. I’m beginning to think you’re the best at everything.”
She couldn’t help smiling at his words. “I’m—”
“I know,” he said. “Leaving.” He nibbled at her earlobe. “My dear niece is going to spend the night at my dad’s house. Want to have a sleepover with me?”
She took a breath before answering. “Yes,” she said at last and felt a shiver of anticipation run through her.
When the song ended, Al and Nell bowed to each other, and she returned to the booth. Jecca moved out of Tristan’s arms but she stayed on his side. Their food was served, and the talk turned to the playhouse.
Jecca answered all Nell’s questions, but it wasn’t easy, as Tris’s hands were on her back, and twice he ran his fingers down her bare arm. By the time they’d finished, Jecca was ready to throw him across the tabletop, but Nell insisted that she had to have dessert. She told Al they wanted three pieces of cherry pie.
While they waited, under the cover of the table Tristan put his hand on Jecca’s knee and moved upward. When he felt the stockings, which left an expanse of her thigh bare, he choked on his drink.
“You drink too fast,” Nell said as Al handed around plates of pie.
Tris looked at Jecca. “I like Miss Livie’s dress.”
“Me too,” she said, smiling. “And this is just the way she wore it.”
“Pole dancing and now this. Just when you think you know someone, you learn something new,” he said. “Nell, you think you could speed it up in eating that pie?”
“No,” she said. “When are we going to leave for Uncle Roan’s cabin?”
“He’s expecting us tomorrow. Is that okay with you, Jecca?”
“Great,” she said, but she was having difficulty concentrating. Tris’s hand was moving slowly up her leg.
“Can you bring the pictures of the playhouse?” Nell asked.
“Uh . . . yes,” Jecca said.
“Uncle Tris got me all the colored pencils and paints and paper you told him to.”
“Good,” Jecca said. “We’ll . . .” She moved away from Tris before his hand drove her crazy.
“More pie?” he asked Jecca. “Or would you like another dessert?”
“I bet Grandpa will still be at the party,” Nell said as she turned a couple of cherries over for the fourth time. “Maybe I should stay with you tonight
.”
“Not tonight,” Tristan said. “I have another engagement. Nell, if you finish that pie in four seconds I’ll buy you a—” He broke off.
“Buy me a what?” Nell asked.
“I can’t think of anything I haven’t already bought you,” he said, making Jecca laugh.
“Okay,” Tris said, “we’re out of here.”
“Can I—?” Nell asked.