Wishing On A Starr Page 4

  Daniel chuckled. “That explains the cursing.”

  She laughed.

  “Sorry for waking you up. I can call you back later, if you’d like?”

  “No. Uh, I mean, that won’t be necessary.” Gia rolled her eyes at her air-headed behavior. “I’m up now.”

  He laughed with her, but then an awkward silence vibrated over the line.

  Should she say something?

  “I have to tell you, I was afraid I would never see you again,” Daniel jumpstarted the conversation.

  “Oh?” She climbed off the floor.

  “Yeah, I lost your business card somewhere near the Rockefeller Center, but then this morning I found it bubble-gummed to the bottom of my shoe. You can’t imagine my relief.”

  “Well I’m glad you found it...especially since you dipped without giving me your number.”

  “Oh,” he managed to sound contrite. “I owe you an explanation for that.”

  “I am curious...but you don’t owe me an explanation.” Gia rubbed the side of her pounding head and strolled toward her bathroom.

  “Then to appease your curiosity, I was trying to get away before my beautiful daughter, who has the best of intentions, by the way, showed up and scared you off.”

  “Should I be worried?” She switched on a light and winced at her horrible reflection. She looked worse than she felt.

  “No, no. Once you get to know her, you hardly notice how she winds you around her finger.”

  Her smile widened. “She sounds adorable. How old is she?” she asked, opening the medicine cabinet and reaching for the Advil.

  “She’ll be fifteen on Christmas Day.”

  Gia froze with her hand clamped around the headache medicine. Her mind instantly filled with images of the delivery room and a nurse rushing off with her newborn child.

  “Don’t worry. We’re going to take good care of her...”

  “Of course, I think she’s fourteen going on forty.” He sighed. “But she’s the absolute apple of my eye.” Daniel chuckled.

  Jolting out of the memory, Gia snatched the Advil out of the cabinet and popped the top.

  “What about you?” he asked. “Do you have any kids?”

  Gia closed her eyes, but not in time to prevent a lone tear from streaking down her face as she croaked out the lie she’d told for nearly fifteen years, “No.”

  “Ma Belle is dying,” Glenda announced. She lifted her gaze from her fidgeting fingers to meet Byron’s hard stare through the jail’s Plexiglas. She watched as her brother’s hand tightened around the phone before he finally drew in a deep breath.

  “How long?” he asked.

  Doctor said it would be a miracle if she lives until Christmas.

  Byron’s face lost none of its intensity. She knew he was wondering-hoping that his release date of December twenty-third wouldn’t be too late to say his final goodbyes.

  “I can’t imagine...”

  Glenda nodded. He wasn’t about to say anything that she hadn’t said to herself a thousand times since she was given the news. Ma Belle, though most believed her to be a little rough around the edges, was truly a remarkable woman with the best of intentions. She was a woman with a limited amount of everything: education, money, and resources. Everyone in the family loved her, except maybe...

  “Have you talked with Gia?” Byron asked.

  Glenda’s gaze dropped.

  “You have to call her,” Byron said.

  Glenda closed her eyes. “What’s the point? There’s nothing she can do.”

  “Ma Belle would like to see her again.”

  “That ain’t what she’s been telling me.” Glenda looked up again.

  “What Ma Belle says ain’t always what she means. We both know that. I might not be the sharpest tool in the toolbox, but even I know Ma Belle’s heart been broken ever since Gia left Talboton.”

  “I seem to recall Gia’s heart broken way before she left this stinking town.” Glenda grew hot under the collar.

  “More reasons for those two to bury the hatchet.”

  Glenda shook her head. “You just don’t understand.”

  “What’s not to understand? Ma Belle encouraged Gia to give up her child for adoption. Gia signed the papers, regretted it, and blamed Ma Belle for forcing her hand. See? Simple.”

  “Jail has done wonders for…”

  “Let’s get one thing straight. I ain’t proud of being in here. And once I get out I ain’t ever coming back. But being locked up makes a man see things differently-you view time differently. You might not want Gia to come back, but if she’s ever going to heal- she has to.”

  “Okay, young ladies. Are you two ready?” Daniel asked, breezing into the living room and fastening his cuff links.

  Starr and Neve glanced up from their current issue of Seventeen magazine and frowned at his attire.

  “You’re not wearing that are you?” Starr asked.

  “What?” he asked, and then glanced down at his outfit. “You don’t like it?”

  Starr’s gaze skittered over to her best friend and then ricocheted back to her father. “Well...you look like you’re going to one of those boring medical conventions. Don’t you have something more...casual in your closet?”

  Embarrassment flashed across her father’s face as he glanced down again. “This is one of my best suits.”

  “Exactly my point, Dad. This is a date not a business dinner.”

  “And lets not forget it’s the holidays,” Neve added. “You should be casual and fun at the same time.”

  Starr agreed. “Oh, what about that sweater I bought you for your birthday? That would look nice.”

  “Yeah. It warms your eyes.” Neve nodded.

  Starr and her father frowned at the teenager.

  Neve shrugged. “What? It’s hard not to notice.”

  Sighing, Starr shook her head and rolled her eyes. “Anyway, I think you should change,” she told her father. “If she’s an interior designer, she probably has a good sense of fashion, too. You don’t want to scare her into thinking you’re stuck in the dark ages or something.”

  A palpable silence stretched between the girls and the lone adult in the room. After a few awkward seconds, Daniel turned and marched back to his bedroom.

  Starr smiled, but then turned toward her best friend. “It warms his eyes?”

  “Well, it does.” Neve shrank deeper into the plush sofa.

  A few minutes later, Daniel returned to the living room and sashayed around like a male model sporting his only Sean John outfit. “No autographs. No autographs,” he said, pretending the girls were a part of his rock star fan club.

  Starr and Neve giggled at his theatrics, and then thrust their thumbs high into the air.

  “Now, that I’ve passed inspection, let’s go before I’m late. Starr, did you already pack an overnight bag?”

  “Yes, Dad,” she moaned, easing out of her chair. She hoped they didn’t have to run through their usual checklist of the items she might have forgotten. She was only spending the night next door at Neve’s. If she had forgotten something, she would just walk back to the house.

  “Did you pack your toothbrush?”

  “Daaad.”

  Daniel held up his hands. “All right.” He smiled, grabbed her bag by the door, and waited patiently while the girls slid on their coats.

  “A few pointers, Dad. When you first show up, make sure you compliment her. But don’t just say ‘hey, nice shoes’ or something crazy like that.”

  “Make sure you thank her for the date,” Neve added.

  “Yeah.” Starr bobbed her head. “Good manners are still in style.”

  “That’s good to hear,” Daniel said sarcastically.

  “Dad. We’re trying to help you. We all know you’re a little rusty.”

  He looked as if he was about to reprimand her, but then dropped his shoulders and asked, “Is there anything else?”

  “Kissing,” Starr answered quickly.

&nbs
p; “Wait.” Daniel held up his hands. “I’m not taking kissing advice from my fourteen...”

  Starr stared at him sternly.

  “Almost fifteen-year-old daughter,” he amended. “I have to draw the line somewhere.”

  “When was the last time you kissed the opposite sex?” Starr questioned, cocking her head. “And me and grandma, don’t count.”

  “What do you know about kissing?” he asked, and then immediately realized he didn’t really want an answer.

  Starr stared at him and waited.

  “Never mind,” her father said, rubbing his temples. “What’s the tip?”

  “I’m glad you asked.” She smiled. “Instead of waiting for the end of the date for that big awkward moment, you should warm her up throughout the date with small kisses.”

  Daniel frowned.

  “You know, when you pick her up, you hand her flowers-you are taking her flowers, right?”

  “Flowers.” He nodded. “That’s a good idea.”

  “Oh, boy. You’re worse off than I thought.”

  “No, I just...forgot.” His forehead wrinkled. “What am I doing?” he mumbled. “I’m going to make a fool of myself.”

  “No you’re not. Just thank your lucky Starr that you have her to help you come off smelling like a rose.”

  His father’s lips sloped unevenly as he tugged one of her pigtails. “Thank you, lucky Starr.”

  “What do you mean you have a date?” Bernie questioned over the phone. “Since when?”

  “Since yesterday-or really this morning,” Gia answered as she flitted in and out of her walk-in closet. After a lifetime of having a great metabolism, she grudgingly admitted that if she wanted to remain her current size, she would have to start a medieval practice called exercise.

  But for right now, she had a devil of a time trying to find something that flattered her widening hips and rounding bottom. In the end, she settled on a tried and true staple in every woman’s closet: the little black dress. It wasn’t too dressy or too casual. It was just-perfect.

  “Why didn’t you tell me?” Bernie whined. “Is he ugly or something?”

  “Hardly.” Gia squeezed her foot into her favorite pumps and twirled a final time in front of a full-length mirror in the bedroom. “I’m nervous,” she admitted, and then belatedly remembered that she still had the phone tucked beneath her ear.

  “Ooh. He must be really good looking,” Bernie commented. “What does he do for a living?”

  The doorbell rang and a million butterflies burst from their cocoons inside of her stomach.

  “I have to go. He’s here.” Gia flattened a hand over her heart at the instant memory of Daniel. “Wish me luck.”

  “Good luck and I want details tomorrow.”

  Gia smiled and disconnected the call. At the doorbell’s second chime, she hand ironed the front of her dress, and then went to answer the door.

  When she finally pulled it open, she was stunned to discover that her memory had a faulty wire. The man standing before her was even more devastatingly handsome than she remembered. “Hello.”

  “Hello,” he greeted in a seductive baritone.

  His instant smile was infectious and she found herself standing there with a grin that stretched from ear to ear.

  “I, uh, brought these for you.” Daniel presented a bunch of white carnations and chrysanthemums.

  She sucked in a surprised breath and gushed at the beautiful arrangement.

  “I hope you like them,” he said, and then nervously leaned in and brushed a kiss against her cheek.

  Pleasantly surprised, Gia fluttered a hand to her cheek and blushed. “What was that for?”

  “I hope it was okay,” he said. “I was advised that it was best to get the kiss out of the way.”

  Gia forced a frown. “But now we don’t have anything to look forward to.”

  “Of course we do.”

  Her brows rose in curiosity.

  “The second kiss.”

  Gia was smitten by Daniel’s boyish charm. “I better put these in some water. Would you like to come in?”

  “I thought you’d never ask.”

  She turned and strolled toward the kitchen. “These are beautiful.”

  “I’m glad you like them.”

  “I love them.” Gia inhaled the fragrant scent.

  “I love the dress,” Daniel praised. “You look beautiful.”

  Gia’s smile grew to a ridiculous size while her knees tingled. That definitely had to be a good sign. She had a feeling she was in for a wonderful night and if she played her cards right, she just might end up with Daniel wrapped and placed under her Christmas tree this year. She glanced over her shoulder to sneak another peek at her possible present. “Oh, Santa, baby.”

  Chapter 6

  Daniel opened the door to his car and gently ushered Gia into the passenger seat of his silver Cadillac Escalade.

  “Thank you.” She smiled.

  His heartbeat quickened as his lips widened. “You’re more than welcome.” He closed the door and drew in a breath; however, the gulp of cold air did little to soothe his nervousness. As he walked to the driver’s side, his mind scrolled through a list of conversation starters. Once he was settled into his seat, he promptly forgot them all.

  “Sooo,” Gia sighed. “Where are we going?”

  Daniel glanced at her and was instantly entranced by her beautiful eyes and enraptured by her growing smile that he had forgotten how to speak.

  “Dinner? Movie? Do you know?” Gia asked with furrowed brows.

  “Huh? Oh, uh-yeah.” He glanced away with his face burning from embarrassment. “How does Aureole sound to you?”

  “Sounds wonderful. I’ve never been there, but I’ve heard great things about the restaurant.”

  “Then prepare to be in for a treat.” He slid his key into the ignition and Nat King Coles’ unmistakable voice filtered through the speakers singing “The Christmas Song.”

  “The holidays come faster every year,” Gia marveled.

  Unable to ignore the sad tone in her voice, Daniel glanced at her. “You don’t like the holidays?”

  Sighing, she glanced out the side of her window and seemed reluctant to answer the question.

  “Well, not everyone does,” he continued as he pulled out into traffic. “I know a part of me is saddened by the gross commercialization of the season.” He glanced over at her in time to see he’d captured her attention again. “But I have to admit that it’s my favorite time of the year.”

  Again she drew a breath, and held onto her smile. “I know what you want me to say, but to be honest-this time of year is usually hard for me. However, this year I’m determined to turn over a new leaf...if I can.”

  Daniel wanted to inquire further when the voice of reason intervened and told him not push or pry. It was obvious she was holding back and because they were still strangers, he needed to respect her privacy. Yet, his curiosity was still piqued.

  “Well. What is it that you do, Mr. Davis?”

  “I’m a pediatrician.”

  “Oh.” Her voice lowered. “It’s Dr. Davis then?”

  “Yes, but you can call me Daniel.” He chuckled, but when he looked at her, there was no amusement in her expression. That’s odd. Most of the time when he told women he was a doctor, they seemed quite pleased. “Is something wrong?”

  “No, no.” She tried to cover with a smile, yet it was painfully obvious that something was indeed wrong. In her apartment everything seemed to have been going well. Now it all seemed to have spun on its ear.

  Gia returned her attention to the scenery outside of her window.

  Ten minutes into the drive, all Daniel could picture in his head was a plane nose-diving from the air. He hadn’t crashed and burned this badly since junior high school.

  “So are you a native New Yorker?” she asked.

  “No.” He grabbed hold of the lifeline and held on tight. “Actually, I was born in Tennessee.”

/>   “A fellow southerner?” Her voice rose in surprise.

  Daniel nodded while cautiously shifting lanes. “Just for a brief time. My family moved when I was two. My father was in the army and we pretty much just bounced from state to state. I even lived in Germany for a couple of years.”

  When he glanced at her again he was pleased to see a smile had finally returned to her face. “What about you? Where are you from?”

  “Georgia.”

  “Atlanta?”

  “Nah,” she chuckled softly. “I’m from a tiny place called Talboton-a place where it’s easy to get lost and where very few people escape.”

  “So I take it you’re one of the lucky ones?” he joked.

  “Luck had very little to do with it.” She drew a deep breath. “New York is perfect for me. It’s a melting pot of cultures and the pace is as fast and strong as a human heartbeat. I love it.”

  Daniel caught the way her eyes sparkled as she talked and glanced around. The air between them was charged with her electricity and passion. It was suddenly clear why a small southern town couldn’t hold the fiery beauty for long.