Lisa stared nervously as Roseanne and her father headed her way. She turned to Eric, who had just made a martini for someone.
"Can I get another?" she asked as she slid her empty toward him.
"Sure. But don't worry. Mr. Park is a great guy."
Lisa turned back, meeting Roseanne's gaze as she came nearer. Roseanne looked composed—calm—and it helped settle her nerves somewhat. She returned Roseanne's smile, then turned her attention to her father.
"Dad, this is Lisa Manoban, Jackson's sister," Roseanne introduced.
Lisa shook his hand. "Pleased to meet you, sir."
Mr. Park studied her for a moment. "You're the photojournalist, right?"
"Yes, sir. I'm kinda...taking a break," she said.
"Dad, what would you like? Scotch?"
"Please. On the rocks," he said. He motioned to Lisa's drink. "Is that what you're having?"
"Yes. And thanks for the open bar," she said with a smile.
Eric was already on it, and Roseanne found a fresh gin and tonic that he had placed in front of her. She took a sip before turning back to Lisa.
"Dad, by the way, Lisa is the one causing Mother fits," Roseanne said with a laugh.
Lisa's eyes widened.
"I told him about the dress," Roseanne explained. "Or lack of, I should say."
"Well, I, for one, think you look quite dashing in a tux," Mr. Park said. "It gets my vote."
Lisa felt a blush on her face, and she nervously took a sip of her whiskey. Dashing?
"I hope you won't mind if Lisa and I dance later," Roseanne continued.
"Of course not. There are no secrets here, right?"
Roseanne smiled. "Right. But to prevent Mother's stroke, you may want to shield her."
Mr. Park laughed at that statement and Lisa assumed his sense of humor matched Roseanne's and not her mother's. "Quite the contrary. I think the two of you would make a stunning couple out on the dance floor." He took his drink off the bar and raised it to her. "Nice to meet you, Lisa. Enjoy the dance."
"You too. Thank you."
He leaned over and kissed Roseanne on the cheek, then whispered something into her ear. Roseanne's eyes met hers and she smiled.
"I'll keep that in mind," Roseanne said to him. As soon as he walked away, Roseanne moved closer to her. "Why do you look so nervous?"
Lisa gave a shaky laugh. "Do I? I thought I was hiding it well."
Roseanne tilted her head. "Are you nervous of my dad or of me?"
"Both, I think." She took another sip of her drink. "So how was Markie?"
Roseanne rolled her eyes. "You're right. He's obnoxious. His hand on my back was getting dangerously close to my ass."
"Oh, that's Markie," she said, surprised by the jealousy she felt.
"I can't totally blame him," Roseanne said. "My mother didn't help matters. He apparently asked her if I was really gay, and she told him I hadn't met the right guy yet."
"Your mother has a crush on him."
"I know." Roseanne took the drink from her hand and put it on the bar. "And I'm ready to dance with you."
