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Jeannie sighed. If only. The only clients she had left were Marina, Rose, and Al. Just one more thing on top of everything else. She almost wondered if Lilith’s curse had landed on her. After she’d gotten her tire fixed, the alternator broke. Then the pipe burst under her sink, flooding the kitchen while she’d been at the grocery store.

She scanned the set, her eyes stopping when they found Al. He’d changed into a pair of khakis and a polo shirt. He stalked across the courtyard to Jazz, reaching for her hand and giving it a gentle squeeze. Jazz shook her head and said something she couldn’t hear. Al raised his palms and answered her back. They both laughed and Diane stood there with her camera, capturing the entire, adorable exchange.

“Actually, no. There’s nothing keeping me there. I’ll come by tomorrow.”

Chapter 34

“What happened on that carriage ride? Based on what I saw, I’m not sure I want your hands anywhere near me,” Jazz asked, yanking her hand from Al’s.

He stood back, holding his palms up. “Whatever you think happened, I promise you’re wrong. Back me up, Diane.”

Diane snickered. “Sorry, lover boy. I’m not allowed to interfere. I’m the impartial camerawoman. I see, speak, and hear no evil. I just film it.”

“And what kind of evils did she film, Al?” Jazz’s eyes narrowed.

Al grinned. “The kind that involves a horse taking a massive shit every three minutes.”

Jazz’s mouth dropped. “What?”

He nodded. “You heard me. And it turns out Iona isn’t much of a nature chick, so she threw up. Several times.”

Jazz turned toward Diane. “And you got all that on tape?”

“Sure did,” Diane answered.

“As soon as we were done, I bolted out of there. I couldn’t risk her throwing up on me. Plus the smell was, yech.” He shivered.

Jazz laughed again. “How romantic.”

Diane lowered her camera and stepped back. “I’ve got to rig up the camera for your date, but that was great. America will love your banter.”

Al glanced at the palm of his hand, then back up at Jazz. “You’re looking very fetching this evening.”

“Fetching?” Jazz laughed.

“What can I say,” Al said with a wink. “You’re the kind of girl that makes a guy want to expand his vocabulary.”

Jazz laughed again. “Oh my. You certainly have all the lines down.”

He glanced down again, squinting before looking back up. “I’m glad we’re getting to have the date together. After tonight, I’ll forever think of you when I see a sunset.”

“Damn, that is really …” Jazz paused. “Hey, what’s on your hand?”

His head jerked up. “What? Nothing.” He should have known he couldn’t pull this off. Christian had made it look so easy, and it was so much better than memorizing lines.

“Let me see.”

“No.” He shoved his hand in his pocket. “Where’s Lindsey? We need to get going.”

“Show me your hand, Al.”

He sighed and pulled out his hand, turning his palm to show her the notes he’d written.

She burst into laughter. “You have a cheat sheet?”

“Uh, maybe?” Laughter was good. If she was laughing, she wasn’t yelling.

“But why?”