A Taste of Sin by Fiona Zedde Page B

Just thinking too much right now.”
    “Thinking or drinking?” Her mother looked meaningfully at the glass of liqueur, her second that afternoon.
    Dez chuckled. “Maybe a bit of both.”
    “In that case, you and Derrick go in and finish up the food so people can eat. Breakfast wore off a long time ago and I’m starving.”
    Within two hours, everything was ready. Derrick herded everyone into the dining room while Dez put a round of Jazz
    CDs in the stereo and pressed PLAY. A mellow saxophone settled in the background. Rémi rubbed her hands together as she sat down at the table. “This is the best-looking spread I’ve seen in a long time. Did you two do all this?”
    “Of course.” Derrick pulled out the chair for his mother.
    “This day and this meal are for a very special lady, so we did our best.”
    “Your brother is good, Dez. You could learn a thing or two from him. At least in the charm department.”
    Dez didn’t even spare Nuria a glance. She handed the tongs to Claudia before taking her own seat. “Start whenever you’re ready, Mama.”
    But the older woman seemed too in awe of the lavish meal in front of her to even touch it. The Cornish hens were a deep golden brown and still steaming. Ten of them sat in deep serving platters surrounded by bowls brimming with steamed broccoli, garlic mashed potatoes, herbed corn-bread stuffing with pine nuts and golden raisins, and cranberry sauce. Dez and Derrick had taken out the good china, and the translucent amber plates and goblets glowed in the softened light.
    Claudia cleared her throat. “Before I desecrate this gorgeous arrangement of food at my daughter’s request, I just wanted to say a few words.” She glanced at everyone around the table. “It’s good to have both my children back with me. It’s been too long. And I’m thankful that they could put aside their”—she looked from Derrick to Dez—“endless quarrelling to make this meal together and share this day with me and with all of us. Thank you, darlings.”
    Everyone raised their glasses of water in agreement. Dez quickly sipped hers so she could swallow past a suddenly dry throat. “Hear, hear.” She met her brother’s eyes across the table and nodded briefly at him.
    He opened his mouth to say something but the sound of the doorbell cut him off. Dez waited a second, then two, to see what he would say. When nothing came out, she stood up.
    “I’ll get the door,” she said.
    “Am I too early?” Victoria Jackson asked, holding a brightly gift-wrapped present as she stood in the doorway.
    “Who is it?” Derrick called out from the dining room.
    “Your friend,” she yelled back, looking at Victoria.
    “Tori,” the woman said with a slight smile.
    “I haven’t forgotten,” Dez murmured.
    “Quit stalling and bring her in.” Derrick’s voice rose, light and teasing from the dining room. “We’re all about to pass out from hunger in here.”
    Dez gestured for her to come in. Was it her imagination or did the woman look even better than the last time, like a dressed-up version of last night’s wet dream come to life in her mother’s foyer? She walked ahead into the house and Dez could only blink in the after-image of her. Hair twisted up and back away from her face. Burgundy-painted lips. The slope and rise of her breasts under the white blouse. Reaction settled deep in Dez’s belly. She took a deep breath and followed after Victoria.
    “You ass,” Victoria said to Derrick as everyone made room for her at the table. “You told me dinner was at five.” It was barely four-fifteen.
    “I’m glad you made it, honey.” Claudia kissed her son’s best friend on the cheek and tugged her gently into the chair next to hers. “You’re right on time.”
    Dez watched their exchange with interest. Was she the only one who hadn’t met Victoria? Even Eden chatted her up with some familiarity, teasing her about trusting Derrick, who ate when the food (and he) was ready, no