Danny heard the familiar chime of the elevator and listened for the sound of Brian's voice.
He'd been surprised when his brother called him last night. They rarely spoke on the phone. Brian had never visited him in New York, and yet here he was.
“Hello,” Brian called out.
Danny dropped the ball he'd been throwing for Mickey and padded, barefoot, along the hallway to greet his brother.
“Wow. This is a nice place you have here.” Brian stood looking out the panoramic windows. The natural sunlight bathed the entire twelve‐hundred square foot living room, giving the white room a golden glow.
Mickey bounded into the room and placed his front paws on Brian's chest. His brother let Mickey lick his face in greeting.
He pushed Mickey down and enveloped Danny in a big bear hug. “If I knew you were living like this, I would've come out here sooner.”
Danny wasn't charmed. He suspected Brian's sudden visit was only for one thing. Marnie.
He smiled and made small talk, waiting patiently for him to ask about her. If he was traveling from California to New York, she must've made one hell of an impression on him. Danny didn't see it though. Not once in the three months since they'd been back in New York, working on the set of his new music video with Nia, had Marnie asked him about Brian. He'd been careful not to say anything encouraging or discouraging. After mulling it over, he realized that was the best course of action. He didn't want to be involved. If it worked out, great, but if it didn't, no one could blame him. Hopefully Brian hadn't come to New York for nothing.
“Well, I'd love to show you the sights, but I've got a lunch date.”
“That's cool, maybe your assistant can fill in for you.”
A hundred-watt smile spread across Danny's face. He was right; Brian was here to see Marnie.
“She's not here right now, but make yourself comfortable. I'm sure she'll be back eventually.”
“I thought you guys were tethered at the hip.”
“Today's her off day,” Danny said, stepping into the elevator.
As much as he would've loved to sit and watch Brian squirm as he waited for Marnie, he really did have a lunch date. He glanced at his watch. 12:15 p.m. He silently cursed himself. Waiting for Brian had made him late.
Danny quickly made his way down Tenth Street and gave the valet his keys.
A brisk walk brought him to the Hilton hotel's poolside restaurant. He ignored the hostess and made a beeline for the water. He tapped the girl on the shoulder. Nia smiled at him and gave him her hand to pull her up. They sat a table underneath an umbrella overlooking a massive swimming pool.
“When's Rudy getting here?” Danny glanced around; relieved to see he wasn't the only one late.
“Rudy called to say he couldn't make it. But he's already given me a cut of the track.” She handed him her iPod and let him listen to the duet they'd recorded together.
“We're not in sync with each other,” Danny said.
“Rudy said that's just the mix. He's going to fix it,” Nia said.
They both ordered a taco salad, and struck up a conversation about things beyond business.
“My mother misses you.”
Danny looked up mid‐bite. He hadn't expected this conversation to happen today.
“Your mother is nice,” He said nonchalantly.
“So what should I tell her?” Nia's piercing brown eyes stared back at him imploringly.
Danny wiped his mouth with his napkin and geared himself for the discussion. It had finally come and he couldn't avoid it anymore.
Danny looked at Nia, but the words wouldn't come. For once, his mind was as blank as a canvas. He drank his wine and ordered a shot of scotch. Liquid courage was his best ally.
“There's nothing to tell her,” He said flatly.
Tears begin to well up in her eyes. The moment he'd been trying to avoid was here.
“I'm sorry,” he apologized.
She sniffed. “I don't mean anything to you?”
“Of course you do. I just don't want to be with you. I don't want to be in a relationship with you,” Danny said.
“So you've been using me?”
“No! How do you figure that?”
“All this time we've been sleeping together, it meant nothing?” Nia said.
“Sure, it meant something, just not what you wanted it to mean.”
“Show me.” Nia sat back and crossed her legs.
Danny stared at the tan well‐oiled legs sitting next to him. How did she manage to turn this into something kinky? The answer didn't matter, because he was more than ready to take the bait.
He threw his napkin down and stood up. “Alright.”
Nia grabbed his hand and they rushed to the elevator.