A Season in Gemini, Intro by Victoria Danann Read Free Book Online Page B

a couple of blocks from the best live music in the world.”
    “ Nice. So what makes it the best music in the world?”
    “ This is where the innovators come to be heard before they either make it or get broken to bits by suit-wearing accountants who don’t know the first or last thing about music.”
     
    Brant spent a big part of dinner entertaining Garland with tales of colorful events that happened in the hotel.
    She laughed. “Do you believe this stuff?”
    He smiled. “Just because it’s folklore doesn’t mean it’s not true.”
    She sat back. “Whew. I’m stuffed.”
    “ Too bad.”
    “ What do you mean, too bad?”
    “ You’re about to find out.”
    Right on cue, the waiter set a plate in front of her with the biggest piece of fudge cake she’d ever seen. In the middle was one red candle, which he lit, saying, “We hope you enjoy your birthday, Ms. St. Germaine. It’s been a privilege to have you as our guest for your special occasion.”
    “ Thank you,” she told him, cutting her eyes to Brant.
    “ Happy birthday, baby. You don’t have to make another wish if you don’t want to, but if you have one that makes you happy when you think about it…”
    She blew out the candle without taking her eyes away from Brant and gifted him with her most radiant smile, the one that made his heart swell so big it felt like it would break his ribs.
    Brant took her hand as they left the restaurant, making their way across the lobby to the door that led out to the street. Garland’s eyes were sparkling with that special light he treasured, when Brant heard someone behind them call her name. She froze, stopped walking, and her grip bit down on his hand like a vice.
    A middle-aged man was coming straight for them with a scowl on his face. Brant put it together in a heartbeat. It was the dick who confused fatherhood with slaveholding.
    David St. Germaine stopped in front of the two of them and gave Brant a once-over that couldn’t possibly have conveyed more contempt.
    “ So this is what you’ve been doing with your spare time?”
    “ Dad. This is Brant Fornight. Brant, this is my father, David St. Germaine.”
    Normally Brant would have extended his hand, but decided to make an exception.
    Since he was three inches shorter than Brant, St. Germaine tilted his head in a practiced way that gave the illusion he was looking down anyway. “You’re out with my daughter. What? On a date? And what do you do, may I ask?”
    “ Well,” Brant drawled, “I like watching “The Price is Right” and going for long moonlight skis on the lake.”
    Garland’s father gave him a look dripping with disdain.
    “ You’re being rude, Dad.”
    “ I don’t need etiquette lessons from you, Garland. Go home. I’ll talk to you later.” He walked away, leaving the impression that there was no question his command would be obeyed. They’d been dismissed.
    “ Garland?”
    She glanced at Brant. “Well, there went a perfectly lovely evening. I’m so sorry it was spoiled.”
    “ It’s not spoiled unless we allow it. Let’s go do what we came to do and forget him.”
    Garland hesitated. She looked more than doubtful. She looked worried. “Okay. You’re right. He’s not ruining my birthday.”
    “ That’s right.”
    “ At least not until later,” she murmured.
    “ Baby. You afraid of him? Does he hit you?”
    She shook her head. “God no. If he did then maybe I’d have the courage to… Never mind. Let’s go find some music suitable for slow dancing.”
    “ We can try, but that’s asking a lot for 6 th Street on a Saturday night.”
     
     
    Garland did her best to appear like she was enjoying a lighthearted night out. She didn’t want Brant to be disappointed, but she never stopped thinking about the run-in. It was around midnight when they pulled into Brant’s drive.
    When the car stopped, neither one moved to get out.
    “ Comin’ in?” he asked, but had a sinking feeling that he already knew the