Page 101 of Family Affair

The overstuffed armchairs were pushed to the walls freeing the center of the room for dancing, and the dancing was on. Lucy twirled in a flash of rosy cheeks, blond hair and big breasts, led expertly around the room by her partner. She gave Coco a little wave without breaking her step. She looked radiant and young, and Coco wished a different man were holding hands with her mother, leading her around the room. Any man besides Ross Sheffield.

Coco waited until the song ended and Lucy gave one last twirl and stopped, her long gauzy skirt still fluttering around her legs.

“Whew! I can’t remember when was the last time I danced.”

Ross made a little bow. “My pleasure, Lucy. We make a good pair, no?” His eyes cut to Coco. “Care for some rumba, Miz Coco?”

Keeping her smile polite, Coco murmured, “No, thanks, not today. I’m tired.”

He inclined his head in understanding and his eyes gleamed with a wicked light. “I’ll take a rain check. Bad day?”

“Just tired.”

Coco silently moved to help her mother rearrange the chairs back to their original positions, waiting for Ross to tell her why he came. She very much doubted he came specifically to dance with her mother.

“Are you hungry, dear? I think the quiche is still warm. Ross liked it, didn’t you say so?” She smiled at Ross in adoration.

“I absolutely loved it.” He smiled back like an angel.

It set Coco’s teeth on edge. “I am a little surprised by your visit,” she probed.

“Why, love?” he drawled, shining the full beam of his smile at her. “Suspicion is such ugly emotion.”

Her patience gave a little. “Please don’t call me that. I find it inappropriate.”

“Inappropriate, love? How’s that?” One of his finely curved eyebrows rose in question.

“We aren’t romantically involved,” she retorted. “You can call me Coco, and I’ll call you Ross.”

The aggravating man laughed and snaked a hand around her waist, steering her toward the kitchen. “Let’s go drink that soothing tea your mother makes. I can think of nothing better than an evening in a company of two beautiful women.”

Lucy had three bright placemats already on the table. “You take your seats over there, young people.”

As Ross and Lucy chatted, Coco maintained a stubborn silence, stirring and stirring the honey in her tea to occupy her hands.

“What are you mixing in there? Is it safe to drink?” Ross leaned over to see into her cup.

“Care to try?”

“Turnabout is fair play.”

His allusion to that ill-fated party immediately brought forth the recollections of what happenedafterit. Heat suffused Coco’s cheeks.

When she composed herself enough to raise her eyes – cool and calm, she hoped – she found Ross looking at her. His playfulness disappeared momentarily, and the firm, unwavering gaze he was giving her was so reminiscent of Cade’s that she started. They had similarly shaped eyes, shared the same heavy lidded, piercing stare, except Ross’s sparkling gray looked all wrong to Coco. She, personally, was partial to reddish brown.

“Is something wrong?” she questioned Ross’s stare.

“Not a thing,” he replied a little roughly, and then his expression changed back to his usual carefree playboy blandness. “I never had a chance to apologize for that, by the way. Sorry, love. Peace?” He touched her shoulder and gave her the most sincere, the most rueful smile she ever had a chance to observe. She’d nominate him for an Oscar in the best actor category, if it were up to her.

“Only if you stop calling me love.”

“What are you two talking about?” Lucy inquired with interest.

“Nothing!” she and Ross replied in unison, and Ross laughed.

Shortly after, Lucy left them alone, knowing without being told that Ross wanted to talk to Coco. She couldn't decide if she was thankful for her mother’s understanding, or wished Lucy stayed at the table. Whatever Ross wanted to say was going to concern the investigation, and Coco desperately wanted to move on from it.

“Are these your works?” Ross asked, and Coco realized he was looking around with curiosity, his gaze taking in the art abundantly decorating the walls. Whimsical and playful, all gentle and understated, Coco’s dining area collection featured some of her more lighthearted pieces.