“Well, she said my dad could beanyone. Like she said before.”
Spots of color rose in Jan’s cheeks. Guilt spots, if Eden had to guess.
And Eden dug her nails into her palm. If only she could have spared her baby any of this. If only life was as sensible and orderly as she wanted it to be.
“And I said Iknewwho my dad was. My dad is Jasper Townes. And that I met him and talked to him and he’sgreatand he gave me this.” Annelise held up the guitar pick. “And he’s going to donate a guitar to our raffle! He said! And he might even sing a song, too!”
Incredulity illuminated Jan’s expression. And then she shot Gabe a speaking look, complete with acan you believe this lunacy?head tilt, which made Eden bite down so hard on her molars it was a wonder sparks didn’t shoot from her ears.
Gabe was so still. Like an animal about to pounce.
“Annelise? Caitlynn?” He sounded very stern and official. “You’ll of course both have detention after school for the rest of the week. For now, would you please have a seat out front with Mrs. Maker, and close the door as you leave? I’d like to have a word with your moms privately.”
The subdued girls scooted out.
Jan pivoted toward him instantly.
“Gabe, do you think Eden ought to be... spreading that kind of fiction? I mean, while Eden either doesn’t know or would prefer not to divulge her daughter’s parentage, doesn’t perpetuating nonsense make matters worse?”
“Mrs. Pennington, Eden is perfectly capable of answering your questions, and it’s up to her to decide whether they’re any of your business. She is not obligated to answer them. Please address them to her.”
The tone was icily, dangerously remote.
Red flooded into Jan’s cheeks.
But she was also intrepid. “But honestly, Eden,Jasper Townes?” Her voice was a little creaky. “The singer for Blue Room? I mean, if you’re going to make something up out of thin air, make it believable. That poor child is going to get a complex, and you’re opening her up to ridicule if you...”
Eden’s steady, patient stare finally penetrated.
Jan went utterly motionless. And then a whole paradise of fascinating emotions chased themselves across her face.
“You’re...serious, aren’t you?” Jan breathed. “It’s true?”
Eden gave her a rueful “what can ya do?” smile. And a little one-shouldered shrug.
Jan’s eyes were enormous now.
“That show he did... ten years ago.” She was nearly stammering. “At the Misty Cat. You were there... I remember seeing you... and you...”
“I remember seeing you, too,” Eden said evenly.
Jan was studying Eden, her face so taut that Eden could practically see the dozens of questions working beneath its surface.
“Was he good?” Jan blurted finally. On a hush.
Boy, Eden wasn’t expecting that one.
“He looks like he’d be really good in bed. Oh, God, sorry, sorry. That’s awful. No, don’t answer that. I’m just a little surprised by the news. Don’t answer unless you want to. Ha ha. I mean, no, sorry. Oh, God, I’m sorry, it’s... just JasperTownes?”
It was fair to say that Jan was struggling to contain the impulse to indulge in a tizzy.
Eden met Gabe’s eyes.
There ensued an outrageously intimate, complicated, silent exchange. Because she could tell that Gabewantedher to fuck with Jan, even if he suffered pain in the process. And hewouldsuffer pain.
Because the opportunity was just too good to pass up.
“He was... creative,” she confided in Jan gravely.