Marnie tied the sarong around her waist in a double knot and shut the door to her bungalow. As she turned around, she squinted and then smiled and waved. Was it a mirage? If so, it was a magical one since it waved back.
Danny walked along the beach toward her. He held his jacket in one hand and shoes in the other. His jeans were rolled up past his ankles and his collar was unbuttoned. The midday sun highlighted his pale complexion and the light autumn breeze twirled through his dark hair.
What is he doing here? Marnie sat down on the wooden steps and waited for him to reach her.
“Excuse me, ma'am,” he said between breaths “I'm looking for a friend who used to work for me. She doesn't live here by any chance, does she?”
Marnie jumped off the steps and leaped into his arms, wrapping him in a big bear hug. He dropped the shoes and jacket and twirled her around before setting her down in the sand.
He pulled the hair out of her eyes. “You look… amazing.” He held her out at arm's length, surveying her.
Marnie laughed. It was good to see him. Her heart filled with warmth and light. She had wanted to call him so many times, but refrained.
“Can we go inside?” He pointed to the bungalow.
Marnie nodded and walked up the steps. She shivered at the touch of his cold fingertips on her bare back. It reminded her of how exposed she was. Had she known he was coming, she wouldn't have worn a bikini today.
They entered through the kitchen. Danny stopped to marvel the white cabinets and gray granite that filled the room. It was small, but efficient and quaint. He sat down on a stool in front of the island. Marnie handed him a glass of water and leaned over the opposite side of the counter.
Danny sipped the water gratefully. He was nervous. His hands shook and his lips were parched.
“This is a nice place you have here.”
“Thanks. It's a one bedroom bungalow. I figured since you weren't around to call me on my bullshit, I at least ought to be somewhere that will lift my spirits. It's hard to be doom and gloom with all this sunlight.” She smiled at him.
Danny took a sip of water and did a double take. She was really smiling. Not a fake one, but one from her heart. She's happy without me.
“So, what are you doing here?” she asked.
“I wanted to know how you were doing.”
“I've been going to meetings. I've also enrolled in school.”
“Marnie, that's wonderful.”
She shrugged. “It's just community college. If I do well, I'm hoping I can transfer to a university next year.”
He beamed. She was doing excellent. Better than he ever imagined. His heart sunk. She was doing it without him.
“So you don't need to worry about me. Go live your life.”
Danny blinked. What could he say? Of course, this wasn't the real reason he had come.
“I miss you.”
“Danny—”
“Can you make me something to eat?” he interjected. “Look at me. I'm starving.”
“Oh, yeah? I don't buy it. You're still looking mighty fine to me and the tweens.”
He shrugged.
“What do you want?” she asked.
Danny raised an eyebrow.
“A hamburger?” She guessed.
He grinned. As Marnie busied herself with making the burger, Danny swiveled around and surveyed the living room. He quickly realized the kitchen was the nicest room in the house.
The living room was adorned with a couch, a coffee table and a floor lamp. No rugs, decorative pillows, wall art or family pictures. A few Mardi Gras necklaces adorned the coffee table.
My poor little plain princess. He smiled at the thought.
“Here.”
Marnie placed a plate with a hamburger and chips in front of him. Danny picked up the huge burger and moaned in delight at its thick juiciness. He sniffed it appreciating the aroma of charbroiled meat and sautéed onions.
“That's a good hamburger.” He took two more bites and wiped his mouth.
Marnie eyed him, the look questioning his every move. Enough chitchat, it was time to lay his cards on the table.
“Marnie, I could live without you, but I don't want to. Come back to work for me.”
“Danny, I don't think that's such a good idea.”
“Marnie, I need you.”
“You'll find someone else.”
“My last assistant ordered me a veggie burger.”
Marnie gasped, placing a hand over her heart. Then she rolled her eyes at him and smiled.
“Did you know she was a veggie girl when you hired her?”
“It took me completely by surprise.”
Marnie bit her lip and leaned on the island.
“I've got a great routine going on here.”
Code word for I haven't missed you. He was grasping for straws, but he couldn't walk out of there empty handed. He'd come for her, and he owed it to himself to shoot his best shot.
“Look. I didn't just come here to ask you to work for me again.”
Marnie raised an eyebrow, prompting him to continue.
“My family's getting together in Tahoe again. They begged me to invite you.”