The next time Evan and Dani made love, it was even better. And the time after that, it was better still.
“You’re getting really good at this,” he complimented.
“Practice makes perfect. And I have a good teacher.”
“I love being naked with you.” The heat in his gaze reignited the fire between them.
She still hadn’t slept at his condo, so Evan went to the pet store later and bought a birdcage big enough for Ozzie to stay in for several days, but not too heavy for her to carry. He also purchased a parrot stand with a perch mounted above a circular tray that held newspapers or shredded paper bedding. The tray sat atop a metal pole that attached to a wheeled base so they could roll the stand from room to room. Evan figured Ozzie would enjoy being out of his smaller cage while at the condo.
A couple days after his shopping trip, Evan brought the cage to Dani’s apartment and set it on the dinette table so she could look it over.
“You think this’ll work?” he asked. “The woman at the pet store said this was a good one.”
“It is. I can’t believe you went out and bought this.”
“Let’s see if he likes it.”
Dani held Ozzie close to the bars of the new cage so he could tap them with his beak. He looked at them sideways, then upside down. Fifteen minutes later, he grabbed hold and started climbing.
When he reached the top, he imitated a military bugle call. Dani opened the large drawbridge-like door and stepped back to let him explore. Ozzie stuck his head inside, then backed up, so she left him there and retreated to the couch.
“African grays are naturally very skittish about new things,” she explained. “He’ll get used to it at his own pace. Meanwhile, I need to thank you properly for our present.”
She ran her fingers through his hair, leaned in, and kissed him. When she would’ve pulled away, he swept her onto his lap and moved in for another torrid lip-lock.
Afterward, Dani looked over to see Ozzie standing inside the cage on a wooden perch.
“Mama!” He sounded very pleased with himself.
“I see you, baby. What a good boy. Now we can spend the night at Evan’s.”
“Hurrah!” the parrot replied.
“I couldn’t have said it any better,” Evan agreed. “He’s going to love the bird stand I bought for my condo.”
“You didn’t.”
“I did. And I can’t wait to see how you thank me for that.”
* * * *
The next morning, Dani and Evan had time before work for breakfast or a shower together, and it was no surprise which they chose. In fact, they had so much wet and soapy fun they were fifteen minutes late, but it didn’t matter. Evan could do no wrong since the Trident video, and Dani knew her boss didn’t mind if she was a tad tardy now and then, as long as she didn’t make it a habit. She routinely put in extra hours and volunteered to cover shifts when coworkers called in sick or took vacation.
After they pulled into the parking lot, Dani and Evan shared a sweet kiss in his SUV, then walked hand-in-hand to the employee entrance and stole one final smooch before going inside. Corey, her education colleague, glared at them as he came out the door, and they shared a puzzled look.
“What the heck was that about?” Evan asked as Corey stalked away.
“I haven’t the slightest idea, unless he’s still ticked off that I wouldn’t go out with him.”
“He asked you out? When?”
“The day I came back to work after the stingray strike. I thought I let him down easy, but maybe he’s still nursing a bruised ego.”
“That’s his problem. Maybe he and I need to talk.”
“Let it go, Evan. He’s not worth it.”
A few hours later, as Dani and Shelby ate lunch together in the break room, Corey came in and bought a soda from the vending machine. When his gaze locked with Dani’s, he glared at her again.
“Is there something you want to tell me?” she challenged. He retreated without a word. “I’ve had enough of his dirty looks,” she grumbled, then rose to follow him. But Shelby stopped her.
“I wasn’t going to tell you this because it’s ridiculous and it’ll only upset you,” she told Dani. “But I heard he’s been telling anyone who’ll listen that you lied to him when he asked if you were dating Evan.”
“I said no because I wasn’t at the time.”
“I know. He also accused you of going through men like babies go through diapers. And that’s a direct quote.”
“What? Why that little—”
“Calm down. Everybody tells him to shut the hell up when he starts his crap. They’ve been quick to defend you.”
Dani looked skeptical. “Everyone?”
“Well, except for Monica, but that’s no surprise. She’s ignored Corey for years, and he’s too dazzled to see through her sudden interest.”
“I don’t understand.”
Shelby sighed. “You know how Monica is. She never misses an opportunity to cause trouble.”
“What’s she done now?”
“I heard she encouraged him to continue ‘sharing the truth about that dishonest, two-faced bitch’ and that he’s only too happy to do so.”
“For crying out loud. What the hell is wrong with those two? I haven’t done a damned thing to either one of them. Why can’t they leave me alone?”
“I don’t know, sweetie, but I wouldn’t worry about it. It’s common knowledge that they’re unhappy, vindictive jerkwads. Now, let’s talk about something pleasant. How’s it going with Evan?”
Dani’s expression brightened. They chatted for about ten more minutes before Shelby finished her sandwich and tossed her trash.
“I hate to cut this short,” she told her friend, “but I need to make a phone call before I go back on the floor.”
“Okay, I’ll talk to you later.”
Shelby hadn’t been gone five minutes when Tanner Presley stopped by Dani’s table to say hello.
“How’s it going?” she asked.
“Oh, okay. I guess.”
“You sure? You look…unhappy.”
He appeared uncertain for a minute, then said, “Do you mind if I sit down?”
“Of course not.”
After he pulled his chair close to hers, Tanner looked around as if to make sure nobody could overhear them.
“I rarely talk about personal stuff at work,” he began just above a whisper, “and I know we don’t know each other well. But you seem like a really nice person, and I need a woman’s perspective on something.”
“Uh, okay.”
“Let’s say you’re dating somebody you work with and he decides to end it.”
Dani’s stomach plummeted. “Is…is this about me and Evan?”
“What? Oh no, Dani, I’m sorry if I gave you that impression. This is about me and Monica.”
Dani felt like she could breathe again. “I’m not the best person—in fact, I’m one of the worst people to talk to about her.”
“I understand, but just hear me out, okay?”
“Tanner…”
“Please?”
How could she say no? “All right. Did you break up with her?”
“Not yet, but soon. I can’t deal with the way she treats people. My girls, they flat can’t stand her. My oldest daughter told me, ‘I know she’s just being nice to us because she’s got the hots for you, Dad.’”
“Out of the mouths of babes,” Dani remarked.
“Isn’t that the truth? My girls have been through enough with the divorce. They’re still confused about ‘Aunt Claudia’ and their mom. My imploded marriage is why I started dating Monica, to repair my fractured ego. I took my wife’s coming out as a disparagement of my manhood. She didn’t help matters by saying some of the things she did.
“But we’ve all been going to family counseling, even Claudia, for the kids’ sake. It’s helped me see the other side and defused a lot of my anger. I just want to move on and be happy.”
“That’s a wise decision, Tanner, for you and your daughters.”
“Thanks. I’m trying to handle this more maturely.”
“So what do you need from me?”
“I don’t know how to tell Monica it’s over and keep her from causing trouble.”
“I think it’s safe to say she won’t take it well no matter what you do.”
“I was afraid you’d say that.”
“Why don’t you talk to your counselor about this?” Dani suggested.
“It’s not the type of thing I want to discuss in front of my ex or the kids.”
“I meant you could see the therapist alone. Or go to someone else.”
“I’d feel more comfortable with a different counselor. But starting over is as appealing as hitting my thumb with a hammer.”
“I’m not sure you’d have to get into all that family stuff again. It’s not relevant if you only need help splitting up with Monica. Don’t take this as gospel because I’m no expert, but you might be able to accomplish that in a visit or two.”
“That would be a relief.”
“Have you thought of seeing someone through the Employee Assistance Program? It’s designed to help with personal problems, including work relationships, that might negatively impact job performance, and this thing with Monica certainly qualifies.”
“Some manager I am. I forgot all about the EAP. I think dating Monica turned my brain to oatmeal. Thanks, Dani. I’ll look into that.” He patted her hand. “I knew talking to you was a good idea.”
“I didn’t do all that much, but I’m glad it helped. Good luck.”
“Thanks again. Evan’s a lucky guy.”
* * * *
When Dani and Tanner walked out together, Monica emerged from her hiding place behind the row of vending machines. She let fly some choice curse words and looked around for something to kick. Tanner’s head would’ve been nice, but she settled for a trash can. It didn’t make her feel any better.
He and Dani had talked too low for Monica to hear anything. But she’d seen the way they sat there with their heads so close together. And then he’d touched Dani’s hand and treated her to a warm smile.
Just thinking about it sent anger rolling off Monica in waves. And when she wasn’t happy, nobody around her was happy.
She’d make damn sure of that.