Danny admired the silver dress Marnie had selected for the evening, as he held open the door of his Lexus. He remembered this one. He'd bought it a little over a year ago, on her first shopping spree. Had they really known each other that long? He'd purchased the gown without allowing her to try it on, and he'd been right. The dress fit her to a tee. It hugged her small waist and gave attention to her breasts with a slight peek of cleavage.
Once Marnie stepped out of the car, Brian quickly linked an arm with her. This left Danny holding the door for them as they entered the restaurant. What was he, the doorman? It was starting to feel like Brian and Marnie were on a date, and he was their third wheel. He'd noticed the glances, smiles, and hand‐holding that transpired on the drive over.
It was never clearer than when Brian convinced Marnie to sit in the middle of the booth. He sat down next to her, placing his hand over hers. Could he be more obvious?
The hostess handed them their menus. Their waiter would be along shortly to take their orders.
“So, what do you feel like eating?” Brian asked.
Marnie glanced from the menu to Danny. “He wants a hamburger. Third page on the left.” Marnie tapped the menu.
Brian chuckled and glanced at Danny.
“I suppose she could order for you blindfolded.”
Danny detected a tinge of jealousy behind the comment. But what could he do? Marnie was his assistant after all. She should know what he wanted to eat and when.
A woman dressed in a black uniform passed their table with a tray of wine glasses.
“Oh, that must be our waitress. Let's flag her down. I'm ready to order.” Marnie yanked her hand from underneath Brian's and waved the woman over.
“Good evening,” the waitress said.
“Hi. I hope you're our waitress, ‘cause we're ready to order,” Marnie said.
“Well, actually, Katrina's got your table, but I can put the order in for you, and she'll bring it out,” the waitress said.
“Okay. He's going to have,” she pointed at Danny “The bacon blue cheeseburger… with seasoned fries?” She glanced at Danny for confirmation before continuing.
“I'm going to have the chicken Caesar salad with extra dressing on the side, the onion soup and some extra biscuits. What will you have?” Marnie asked Brian.
Brian stared at her for a moment before responding to the waitress. “I'll have the surf and turf with a loaded potato and vegetables.”
“And to drink?”
“I'll—.” Brian started.
“A glass of water, an apple martini and …” Marnie turned to Brian.
“A glass of champagne.”
The waitress gathered their menus.
“You've got an appetite, huh?” Brian asked.
“This is nothing. You should've seen the medium pizza she swallowed a few weeks ago,” Danny said.
Marnie narrowed her eyes at Danny, but turned her attention to Brian when he tapped her on the shoulder.
“You know, usually the man orders for the table.”
Marnie shrugged. “I didn't think you had premonitions about what I wanted.”
Danny smiled at the joke. Marnie was many things, but she wasn't a wall flower. She spoke her mind freely and often.
“So what you do look for in a relationship?” Brian asked.
Marnie's eyes flicked to Danny. “Well?”
“Me? Oh, I'm not looking.” Are you? Danny almost laughed out loud. The last thing Marnie wanted was him.
“Figures. You are the quintessential ladies' man,” Marnie said.
“Danny wasn't always a free man. A few years ago he was engaged,” Brian said.
Marnie's eyes widened at the news before she turned her gaze back to Brian.
What the hell was Brian doing? That wasn't any of her business.
“It was a long time ago. She was tailor made for me. We were so close we finished each other's sentences. We didn't even argue. I'll never find another woman like her. That's why there's no point in looking.” He took a sip of his martini.
“Mom hated her though,” Brian said.
Danny shrugged. “That was her problem, not mine. The solution was to take her out of the wedding ceremony.”
“That would've broken her heart.”
“So why did it end?” Marnie asked.
“She died from an overdose,” Danny said.
A part of Danny always feared his relationship with Emily only worked because they both loved E and cocaine. Putting his heart out there again, trying to create a lasting monogamous relationship sober, scared the hell out of him. He didn't want to go through the pain of rejection, or worse yet, the loss of a life like he had to with Emily. One hole in his heart was enough.
That's why it hurt to tell Jessica he didn't love her, but it was the truth. He may have been many things, but he respected her enough to be honest. He thought back to how defeated she had looked. Maybe sometimes it was better to lie.
“I'm sorry.” Marnie patted his hand sympathetically.
“So, in your previous line of work, what do guys ask for the most?” Brian asked.
Danny winced. He felt sorry for his brother. There was no way he was getting laid tonight. If this was their first date, it was the date from hell. Where was Brian's game?
Marnie's expression remained blank, but the dead look in her eyes told Danny she was already shutting down. “Blow jobs.”
It was an uncomfortable situation for everyone involved. Now they would have to picture Marnie giving blow job after blow job. If it were his date, he definitely didn't want to picture her being with another man. Where the hell was the food? It couldn't get there fast enough.
The gala took place at an old hotel. Marnie marveled at the grandiosity of the ballroom. The ceiling stretched for days. The room was big enough to hold a hockey game. Small round tables were huddled to one side of the room. A long buffet piled with decadent dishes was on the other end, with a stage in the back. The message was clear, everyone was here to dance.
Marnie, Danny, and Brian arrived at half past eight, and although the room was full, the seating for participants in the auction was pre‐assigned. She claimed their table, while Danny and Brian checked out the desert portion of the buffet.
Couples passed her, dancing to disco music.
“You want to dance?” Marnie looked up at Danny's outstretched hand. He'd brought them cake and set the plates on the table.
“I can't dance,” Marnie moaned.
Danny looked at her pityingly. “Marnie, is your life completely devoid of any happiness? Must it always be doom and gloom?”
She took a breath and placed her hand in his. On the floor, a maddening beat reverberated in the room.
“Now,” Danny took her other hand and held her at arm's length. “Just follow my lead.”
She'd been trying, but he wasn't doing so well lately.
He put both of her hands on his shoulder and slid his own down on her hips. Marnie was surprised at how comfortable they felt.
“Don't step on my feet.” Marnie looked down, but Danny grabbed her chin, directing her to look into his eyes. “And don't look down. When I move forward, move backward, etcetera.”
Suddenly they were dancing in a circle. Slow steps though. They weren't in time with everyone else.
“Everyone's moving faster than we are,” Marnie said.
“That's because they don't know where the beat is at. It's right here.”
He lightly tapped a rhythm on her hip. A thrilling chill slid down her spine. Why hadn't she ever noticed his eyes were beautiful? They were pools of smoky gray. Just looking at them, Marnie began to understand why women fell into bed with him. His eyes drew her in, deeper and deeper.
He twirled her around and brought her closer to him this time. She could feel his pelvis grinding into her. She wasn't sure if she wanted to move away from him. Had they dimmed the lights? For a moment, Marnie thought they were dancing alone. Perhaps they could bribe the DJ to play it forever? She rested her head on his chest, bringing him closer to her.
Danny stopped dancing and leaned backward to speak with Brian.
“Cutting in on my spot?” Brian whispered.
Marnie was disappointed Brian had interrupted them. She wanted to push him away and bring Danny close to her once more.
“Not at all.” He graciously stepped back, taking his hands off her hips to let Brian take over.
Marnie watched him walk away in disdain. No. By now the music had stopped, so she supposed they couldn't have continued anyway.
As the next song started, Marnie tried to dance with Brian. It was to her utter dismay that he was an even worse dancer than she was. Brian shook his hips and dry humped Marnie. She frowned as she felt his hard‐on rub across her rump. Danny danced by and gave her an appreciative chuckle, as he swirled another girl across the dance floor. This song could not be over fast enough.
Marnie eagerly clapped as the song ended.
“Everyone please take a seat. We are now going to start our bachelor auction,” the host said.
Yea! Marnie pranced back to the table and scanned the room. Which lucky woman would snag Danny?
After three bids, Danny entered the stage. Catcalls erupted as he sauntered down the runway and removed his jacket, while the announcer gave his credentials. Always the entertainer, he played to the crowd, licking his lips while donning blue tinted shades and striking a pose.
What a man whore. Marnie had to give it to him though. He was very good at being a woman's fantasy.
“200.”
“500.”
“800.”
The bid steadily rose higher and higher as women flocked to the foot of the stage, ecstasy written on their faces.
A young woman waved a check in the air. “$10,000.”
Marnie joined the crowd in craning her neck. Who'd placed the bid? As she walked to the stage, Marnie recognized the signature platinum curls. Nia. What a lucky man. A few minutes more and Danny was sure to have been cougar feed.
Nia handed the check to the announcer and held out her hand to Danny. He leaped from the stage and swept Nia off her feet. The crowd oohed in excitement. Even though his time was up, he was still stealing the show. Nia smiled and waved goodbye to everyone as if she were queen for the day on the float parade, while he carried her out the room.
Marnie patted Brian's arm. “Let's go hail a cab. He won't be back tonight.”
In the cab ride home, Brian tapped Marnie's knee. But it was such an irregular beat, it made her nervous. Was he as nervous as she was? She glanced at him. He certainly didn't look it. His chiseled face held a calm demeanor.
“Marnie.” He held out his hand to help her out of the taxi. She eagerly grabbed it and stepped out in front of their building.
“Come here for a sec.” He pulled her away from the entrance. “Pick a star and make a wish.”
Marnie looked up. It was a full moon out, but no stars. She arched a questioning eyebrow at Brian.
He shrugged. “Humor me.”
What would she wish for? She frantically searched for something. A little weed perhaps—it was a lesser evil. No. Something practical. She closed her eyes. Please just let me get through this night.
“I—” Brian put a finger to her lips, silencing her.
“If you tell me, it doesn't come true.” He leaned over and kissed her cheek. Marnie placed a hand on the spot his lips had kissed and grinned.
He slid an arm around her shoulders and walked her into the building.
Once in the penthouse, Marnie's fears went postal. Her heart beat fast and strong. Blood rushed in her ears. Brian escorted her to the living room and sat down next to her. Practically on top of her. She felt a twinge of suffocation.
“You want a drink? That stuff at the gala must've been ten percent alcohol and ninety percent water.”
Marnie longed to ask him for a double shot of whiskey. A few drinks in her and she wouldn't be scared. Scared of what though? Brian wouldn't hurt her, but she had this uncomfortable desire to run.
“Just water. I'm trying to cut back on drinking.”