Unforgettable by Adrianne Byrd

mad. I just have a lot on my mind.”
    â€œAnd Michael Jackson really is Peter Pan,” he jokedand finally wrangled a smile out of her. “Ah, now we’re getting somewhere. Come on, I can’t fix something unless I know it’s broken.”
    There was no way Diana was going to tell him the truth: that she didn’t like finding him and Nora huddled together in the elevator. Admitting something like that would be the kiss of death.
    Marcel reached over and turned her chin in his direction so she would meet his gaze. “You’re important to me. If I did something, please tell me.”
    Sweet words, she thought, even though he meant them professionally.
    â€œOh, Diana,” Louisa shouted, returning to the table. “Who’s your friend?” She laid her hand against Marcel’s shoulder and smiled brightly at him. “My, you’re handsome. I bet you’ve been told that before.”
    Diana rolled her eyes. “He’s not my friend, Nana,” Diana said. “He’s my boss.”
    â€œOuch.” Marcel straightened in his chair. “That hurt.” He draped an arm around her. “I’d like to think that we’re friends as well.”
    Awareness jolted through her body, but she pretended not to notice. “Grandma, this is Marcel Taylor. Mr. Taylor, my grandmother, Louisa Styles.”
    â€œFriends call me Lou,” she said, batting her lashes again and offering him her hand.
    â€œLou Styles.” Marcel rolled the name around a few times as he removed his arm from Diana’s shoulder to shake Louisa’s hand. “Catchy. Ever considered show-biz?”
    â€œActually, I used to be a dancer.”
    â€œReally? Professionally?”
    â€œYes, I—”
    â€œSo how long have you been here?” Diana jumped in before her grandmother regaled them with tales of her glory days as a stripper.
    â€œA couple of hours. You brought your grandmother out to a club?”
    â€œBrought—no. Supervise—yes.”
    He laughed. “That’s certainly different.”
    â€œI’d like to see how you handle a mentally insane senior citizen,” she deadpanned.
    Marcel’s body continued to tremble. “You’re funny, Di. I like that.”
    â€œAhem.” Louisa cleared her throat. “Just in case you forgot, I’m still standing here.”
    Diana caught the casual use of her nickname and the way his tone softened as he said it. Then again, she could’ve just imagined it. Probably did.
    â€œWhy don’t you and your grandmother join me in the VIP room?” His smile beamed at Louisa. “I’m sure I can get everyone to be on their best behavior.”
    â€œThat’s all right,” Diana answered before Louisa raved about how wonderful or how much fun it would be. “We’re fine down here.”
    Marcel’s dark gaze shifted back to her and entrapped hers. “There’s that cold chill again.”
    â€œYou’re imagining things,” she said, forcing her eyes away. “I’m not angry with you.” Though she wasn’t looking at him, she could feel his stare.
    â€œDo I have your word on that?”
    His hand brushed against hers and a delicious warmthrippled through her. “You have my word,” she said, once again lifting her eyes.
    â€œYo, Casanova.” A large hand pounded on Marcel’s back. “Spread the love.” Tee Bo laughed before looking at Diana. “Ms. Guy, what are you doing here?”
    Working for Marcel, Diana knew just about everyone in the entertainment business and that included nightclub owners.
    â€œHey, Tee Bo. I’m just hanging out…with my grandmother.” She gestured to Louisa.
    â€œOh, snap. You brought your granny in here?”
    â€œMy goodness, you’re tall,” Louisa said, tilting back. “You must have giantism in your family or something.”
    â€œNana,”