Page 92 of Show Off

The audience laughs and Shirleen’s eyes narrow. “Well,” she huffs, directing a halfhearted smile at Jamila. “My children certainly have spirited taste in partners.”

“I’ll say.” Jamila lifts a hand and starts ticking off fingers. “Let’s see, we’ve got a wildlife biology professor—that’s Gabe’s wife, right?”

“Gretchen’s the sweetest.” Lana relaxes, squeezing my hand. “They’re such a great couple.”

Jamila keeps going as Shirleen gives me a look I can’t read. “Cooper married a police chief,” Jamila says. “Dean married the accounting gal at Juniper Ridge, Mari married the brewer, and Lauren got hitched to Nick Armbrust of Armbrust Resorts. Come to think of it, Lana, you’re the only unmarried one in the family. Do I hear wedding bells in the future?”

The audienceooohsas Lana demurs and I can almost taste freedom. Just a minute to go and we’re safe.

“Let’s not be hasty.” Shirleen Judson shoots me a skeptical smile. “Based on that temper you showed at the end of last season, I hope Lana’s safe with you.”

Is she kidding me right now? I open my mouth to fire a retort, but Lana steps in. “Dal’s the most kindhearted human I know.” She squeezes my hand, and my shoulders relax. “And very passionate.”

“Hmm.” Shirleen regards me with a calculating look. “A mother’s protective of her babies. It’s hard seeing them get into new relationships.”

Such bullshit. So what if she’s working the motherhood theme of the show? She’s doing it atmyexpense. At Lana’s.

“You’ve got nothing to worry about, Mom.” Lana flashes her sweetest smile. “I’m in good hands with Dal.”

“I hope you’re right, Lemon Drop.” Shirleen pats Lana’s hand, playing the doting mother. “I just want you to be safe, sweetheart.”

Like a goddamn grownup, Lana does not roll her eyes. “I’m perfectly safe, Mother.” She squeezes my hand and I squeeze hers right back. “And very happy.”

“Good. That’s good.” Shirleen’s eyes get misty, and I wonder where she’s going with this. Why she doesn’t just shut the fuck up. “As I talk about inLemon Light, I escaped an emotionally abusive relationship.”

“That’s right,” Jamila says, picking up her book. “Chapter four, right?”

“That’s right.” Shirleen sniffles and looks at her daughter. “I was only nineteen,” she continues. “And I thought he was just passionate, too. But he was only using me to help his career. That’s why women in my position…” she pauses to shoot a meaningful look at Lana, “in mydaughter’sposition, we need to be careful about the men we choose to tie ourselves to in case their intentions aren’t?—”

“What the hell, lady?” Yeah, I said it.

But it’s true, so I don’t take it back. All eyes swing to me and I soften my tone. “I’m glad you escaped that relationship,” I say to Shirleen. “No one deserves to be treated like that.”

The blaze in her eyes says I’ve just declared war. This won’t end well.

“I have to say, Dal, I hope my daughter knows what she’s doing.” Shirleen pets Lana’s hand like she’s soothing a child. “Our baby angel hasn’t always had the best taste in men. We’ve tried to protect her, Laurence and I. To have her best interests at heart. Her siblings, too.” There’s a little more patting, and with every touch, Lana sinks low in her chair. “Such a sweet, trusting soul, our little Lana. Maybe a bit naïve sometimes.”

Fuck this.

Howdareshe talk about Lana like some idiot child. Like someone who can’t think for herself.

“Lady, I don’t know what you’re getting at.” Thunderclouds churn in my chest as Lana gasps. “This woman beside me is the savviest person I know when it comes to reading people. Knowing who to trust, and who doesn’t have her best interest at heart.” I stare hard at Shirleen, letting those words sink in. “But you’re right,some peopletry to take advantage.”

Lana draws a breath beside me. “Why don’t we?—?”

“And what isthatsupposed to mean?” Shirleen demands. She waves a hand at Jamila, whose eyes ping-pong between us. “I don’t like what you’re implying.”

“I’m not implying anything.” My heart hammers as Lana squirms beside me. “I’m outright stating you’ve leaned awfully damn hard on your daughter to tidy your dirty laundry.”

“Hold on now.” Jamila faces the camera. “We’re due for a commercial break, but when we come b?—”

“I cannot believe you have thenerveto talk to me like this.” Shirleen’s leaning forward, blue eyes flaming. “Just who do you think you are?”

To hell with this. No more Mr. Nice Guy. “I’m the man who loves your daughter,” I shout right back at her. “A man tired of seeing her twist herself in knots to guard your reputation. To hide things from her ownsiblingsbecause you care more about appearances than the fact that yourchildhas to cover up your?—”

“Okay, let’s take a breather.” Lana digs her nails into the back of my hand. “Dal, honey? Let’s let Jamila call commercial break, all right?” She turns to our hostess and smiles. “Sorry that got a little heated, but we’re eager to talk more about Mom’s book.”

Jamila blinks, then recovers to smile at the camera. “Right after this.”

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