The Danforths: Reid, Kimberly and Jake: The Cinderella Scandal / Man Beneath the Uniform / Sin City Wedding

‘‘Of course ‘we,’’’ Rachel said. ‘‘I told Jason we’d all be there. And this is the perfect night for us all to go out with no questions from Mom and Dad.’’

Saturday night was her parents’ date night out to Buddy’s Buffet and Bingo on the waterfront. Unless one of them was sick, they never missed it. It was the perfect night for her and her sisters to all go out and not have to worry about any inquisitions. Tina’s fantasy of a bubble bath began to pop, one scented bubble after the other.

‘‘Just think.’’ Rachel clasped her hands to her chest. ‘‘Jason, my Jason, singing at Steam! You have to come, Tina.’’

The happiness on her sister’s face disintegrated the last of Tina’s resolve. ‘‘Of course I’m coming,’’ she said, surprised at her own sudden rush of excitement. ‘‘I wouldn’t miss it.’’

‘‘I love you both so much!’’ Laughing, Rachel threw her arms around Tina and Sophia. ‘‘This will be the best night of my life!’’

Maybe this was exactly what she needed, Tina reasoned. She hadn’t been out with her sisters like this in a long time. A little music, a little wine. It would be fun. Maybe she’d meet someone nice. Someone who could make her forget about Reid Danforth.

Who knows, she thought, maybe this would be her lucky night.

Starting at nine every night of the week, Steam featured only the best in live blues music. On a Saturday night, without a reservation or a connection, it was nearly impossible to get in either the posh second-floor restaurant or the trendy club on the first floor.

Unless, of course, your last name was Danforth.

‘‘Are you dining this evening, Mr. Danforth?’’ The hostess, a pretty brunette in a black cocktail dress smiled at Reid. ‘‘Or would you like a table in the club?’’

‘‘In the club.’’ Smiling back at the woman, Reid slipped her a bill that made her eyes widen. With the skill of a magician, the money disappeared. ‘‘I’m meeting my brother.’’

‘‘Thank you, sir. Just give me one moment to find the best seat for you.’’

While the hostess scribbled on a seating chart in front of her, Reid took in the decor of the large, dimly lit reception area. Deep-red velvet draperies hung from the floor-to-ceiling windows; the walls were pale gray, with thin red stripes. A lavish Oriental rug in hues of red, gray and black graced the highly polished, dark mahogany floor. Behind the hostess, a large mahogany staircase led to the restaurant upstairs. To the right, the bar area vibrated with conversation and laughter.

‘‘Right this way, sir.’’

Still not certain why Ian had insisted on meeting him here tonight, Reid followed the hostess through an entrance to the left which led to the stage and dance area. ‘‘Let’s Give Them Something to Talk About’’ blasted from the dj’s speakers and bodies moved on the dance floor in rhythm to Bonnie Raitt’s raspy tune while cocktail waitresses in black slacks and button-down red blouses hustled through the crowd, balancing trays and taking orders.

Settling in at a stage side table, Reid ordered a beer then munched on a spicy mix of pretzels and nuts the waitress had left him. Since his college days, he’d spent very little time in night clubs and bars, but some things never changed. And though Steam was much too high class for the average college frat boys, the draw was still the same: music, food, drink and, of course, the women.

He glanced around the packed room at the slinky dresses and low-cut tops. A great deal of skin and cleavage were on display, and he’d have to be dead not to notice it. Still, other than a mild flicker of appreciation, he wasn’t interested in engaging any of the glances a few of the women were sliding his way.

It irritated the hell out of him that he couldn’t get Tina out of his mind. Frustrated him to no end that since he’d kissed her, all he could think about was kissing her again.

And more.

At least he knew now it was Rachel, not Tina, who was involved with Jason. And while Tina hadn’t exactly waved a green flag, it also helped to know he was the only car on the course at the moment. He had the feeling there would be stop signs and detours, but he was determined that sooner or later he’d encounter a yield sign.

He hoped like hell it was sooner.

‘‘So what do you think?’’ Ian asked over the hum of noise as he sat in the chair across from Reid. ‘‘Nice place, huh?’’

Reid nodded. ‘‘And we’re here because…?’’

‘‘Sophia invited us.’’ Ian gestured to the waitress that he’d have the same as Reid.

The bottle of beer in Reid’s hand paused halfway to his mouth. ‘‘Sophia Alexander?’’

Ian grinned. ‘‘You know, the sister of the woman who’s ‘not on the menu,’ as you put it.’’

‘‘When did you talk to Sophia?’’

‘‘I called her today to see if she was busy tonight. She said she was coming here and suggested I stop by.’’

‘‘You said she invited us.’’

‘‘She’s bringing Tina.’’ Ian’s grin widened. ‘‘Ah. I thought that might get your attention.’’

It more than got his attention. Carefully Reid set the bottle back down on the gray marble tabletop and scanned the room. He didn’t see Tina or Sophia at a table or on the dance floor. Scanning the crowd again, he spotted Rachel walking into the room through an exit door behind the stage. Sophia came next.

Then Tina.

The black, Mandarin collar dress she wore emphasized her long neck and heart-shaped face. The knee-length hemline was conservative, the short sleeves demure. Nothing that should make his pulse jump or his mind stutter.

And yet it did—she did.

Keeping his gaze on Tina, he watched the sisters hurry to a front-row-center table as the dj announced that Controversy, the performing band for the evening, would be out in five.

Controversy. That was Jason’s band, Reid remembered. So that’s why Tina was here. Lifting the bottle of beer, Reid took a long pull, then sat back and waited for the show to begin.

‘‘Stop fidgeting and relax.’’ Tina handed Rachel a glass of ice water. ‘‘And breathe, for heaven’s sake. It won’t help Jason if you’re passed out on the floor.’’

‘‘You’re right. I know, I’m sorry,’’ Rachel said in a rush and sipped at the water. ‘‘But did you see him? Did you see how handsome he looks in his black satin jacket? And his hair, all that wonderful blond hair, loose around his shoulders.’’

‘‘I saw him,’’ Tina said. They’d just come from backstage where the band was waiting to come out. ‘‘He looked very handsome.’’

When the lights dimmed, Rachel turned white. ‘‘Oh, God, I think I’m going to be sick.’’

Rolling her eyes, Sophia dipped her fingers into the ice water, then flicked Rachel’s face.

Rachel gasped, then scowled at Sophia. ‘‘Hey!’’

‘‘Got you breathing, didn’t I? Now be quiet, sit still and let’s see what your man can do.’’

But even Tina held her breath when the dj announced the band. Five men strolled out, everyone wearing sunglasses, looking very cool and very hot at the same time. They took their places, paused a moment, then the drummer tapped his drumsticks and said, ‘‘One, two, three, four!’’

The lead guitar started solo, strong and loud, the drums rolled in a moment later. The sound was hard-beating southern blues. Like a living, breathing entity, the heavy bass and keyboard joined in, pulsating through the crowd, pulling them to their feet and moving them to the dance floor.

Then Jason stepped to the microphone.

‘‘Tell me why…’’

His voice trembled through the room, a smoky, raspy sound that was uniquely his own. A sound that echoed a hundred years of soul and sorrow, all the life of every blues singer who’d stepped on that stage before him. He sang of deception and lies, lost love and heartache. Passion flowed like lava from his words and set the room on fire.

This was Jason? Tina thought in stunned amazement. She’d never heard him sing before, had never dreamed he was this good. The audience and dancers moved to the beat, and Tina couldn’t stop herself from moving with them. He was better than good, she thought. He was terrific.

Tina glanced at Rachel, saw the love shining in her eyes, and felt her chest swell with happiness for her sister. To be that deeply in love with someone, and to have them love you back, was a dream come true. Of course, in this case, the dream came with a few difficulties. But surely, Tina thought, when two people were that deeply in love, there was no difficulty that couldn’t be resolved.