"Aw, you are too sweet, Danny," Nicole cooed and placed a light kiss on Danny's cheek.
Danny blushed slightly. Nicole was overjoyed to know that Danny wasn't doing anything dangerous.
"Wait, how do you get to these lessons?"
"I ride my bike, of course."
"That's why your leg is killing you. You've been working it too hard and way more than it's used to. You silly girl." Nicole plucked Danny in the nose since the musician was still lying down. That got rid of the blush.
"Sorry. I just wanted to do something right. I thought if I got the job and paid you back…you'd, well…you'd be happy."
"Danny, I'm just happy that you're here. You don't need to get a job or pay me back for me to be happy. The job suggestion I made before was for you. I thought you needed something to do with your day to keep you occupied."
Dane nodded. "You were right. I've been having a good time teaching, even the few idiots that I have. God, they don't know a guitar from a whistle, but it's nice to just hold a guitar again."
A grin spread across Nicole's face and made her eyes sparkle. "I'm glad you're happy with that. You should do something you love."
It was Dane's turn to grin. "I was thinking the same thing about you." The musician sat up quickly and yanked her guitar case toward her.
"Are you going to play for me?" Nicole teased with a smile. She'd like to hear Danny on the guitar sometime, but she'd rather hear it when they weren't worrying about each other.
"You don't want to hear me play. I have something much better for you. When I started this peace offering, I thought about how much you like chemistry and how much you dislike your job…"
"I don't…"
"You do. You only do your job because that's what your parents want. Your heart's in chemistry. That's why you read those damn books to relax. So, I got you this." Dane lifted a box from her case and handed it to Nicole.
Nicole laughed as she saw that she was holding a box for a children's chemistry set. She was about to say something when Dane held up one finger, silencing her. She opened the box revealing not a chemistry set, but a stack of papers.
"Danny?"
"They're college applications. So, you can apply to grad school…for chemistry."
"Oh, Danny." Nicole flung herself onto Dane's lap. She was conscious enough to be careful of Dane's sore leg. She put her arms around Dane and embraced her tightly.
"I want you to be happy, Nick. Those are all local schools that claim to have good chemistry programs. Do something for yourself, for once, please."
Nicole just held on. No one had ever encouraged her to follow her own dream. It was surreal. Danny was unreal, so she held on and assured herself that she wasn't dreaming. Danny was there, supporting her, encouraging her, and making her feel in ways that she never imagined possible.
"You're a godsend, Danny." Tears were slowly forming in the corners of her eyes.
"I'm just a bum musician with a bad leg. You're the angel. Take care of yourself, angel." Dane shyly wrapped her arms around Nicole. "You are so precious. Never let anyone make you feel anything less."
***
Dane stared up at the ceiling in the den, reflecting on her talk with Nicole. She noticed she had made Nicole nervous with her secrecy about her job. She liked plenty of things about Nicole. One of her favorite things was the way Nicole's eyes sparkled when she got a genuine grin on her face. She wondered if there was anything she could do to keep that sparkle there forever. Those college applications had probably helped on that front. Nick had looked like Dane had given her gold when she saw them.
Her latest favorite thing was when Nicole would kiss her on the cheek. She was pretty sure that she was enjoying those a little too much and she was certain that she had blushed like a gleeful five-year-old with that last one. It couldn't be helped, though. Those little kisses filled her with such warmth and delight that she wouldn't be surprised if one caused her head to fly off her shoulders.
She was sure that she could get accustomed to hugs from Nicole, too. If that was how hugging was supposed to feel, she finally could see why so many people did it. She was glad to discover that she could hug Nicole back, too. She thought she needed some practice before giving out super hugs like Nicole, but practicing with Nick didn't seem like a lousy idea.
"No, I'd like to do a lot of things with Nicole. I want to take care of her because she's an angel." She vowed to hold onto the angel in her arms for as long as she could, but she figured one day, she was going to have to let the angel fly away. "But, she'll always be precious to me and I'll make sure she knows that."
CHAPTER 11
"How's the leg?" Nicole asked Dane as they moved about the kitchen preparing for breakfast.
"It's better. Still a little sore and swollen." Dane was moving about much better.
"Do you have any students to see today?"
"Actually, today I get to give my first piano lesson. It should be fine. The person lives just a few blocks from here."
Nicole paused, regarding her roommate with a curious look. "You play the piano, too? You really are just full of surprises."
Dane smiled and blushed slightly. It was a rare day for someone to find out that she played piano. It was rarer still for her to be complimented for that talent. Generally people just asked why the hell a punk rocker like her played the piano.
"How many instruments do you play?" Nicole asked as they sat down at the table.
"Well, don't go spreading this around…wouldn't want to ruin my reputation and all," Dane joked and she earned a light laugh. "I play six instruments. Guitar, bass, and drums."
"Somehow I get the feeling those aren't the ones I shouldn't go spreading around," Nicole remarked.
"And I play piano, violin, and trumpet."
"The trumpet?" Nicole echoed. Dane knew it seemed a little out of place, even with that lot.
Dane shrugged. "I dunno. Maybe I always wanted to play something that would deform my face. I don't play it that well."
"You're musically inclined. That's wonderful. I assume that the guitar is your favorite."
Dane nodded and smiled. "Of all time. Not sure why, but I connect with my guitar. I never told this to anyone, but I feel like I can work through anything as long as I can play my guitar." She suddenly flinched as a phantom pain shot through her body.
"What's wrong, Danny?" Nicole's face scrunched up with worry as she reached across the table, taking Dane's hand in hers. "Is it your leg?"
Obsidian locks shifted as Dane shook her head. "No, no. It's just that I shouldn't have said that."
"It's okay. I'm glad you're sharing with me." The shine in Nicole's eyes let Dane know she was telling the truth.
Dane smiled slightly, almost shyly. "I feel a bit better sharing…" It felt like a weight was lifted off her every time she revealed more about herself to Nicole. She felt… safe. Not in a physical sense, but in some manner that she didn't even know existed. It was like everything about her was safe with Nicole. It felt weird, but enchanting. Can't fuck this up, her brain ordered her.
***
Nicole went to the firm with a beatific feeling in her system that was typically replaced by stress after about an hour at the office. Today things were somewhat different. She barely got to enjoy her euphoric morning before it was ruined by the presence of her Tyler. He barged into her office without knocking, a contemptible habit of his. He was smirking in a hubristic manner that made Nicole want to punch him in the face. She'd never do that, but she enjoyed entertaining the idea.
"Good morning, Nikki," Tyler cooed, attempting to sound charming. He practically hummed the nickname that she despised him using.
"What do you want, Tyler?" she demanded, moving papers out of his sight. She wouldn't put it passed him to attempt to discover what she was working on so he could somehow weasel his way into her cases. He had done it before when he was trying to get her to date him.
"I was just wondering how much money you gave her," Tyler said with a s
trange glint in his eyes. He appeared so confident for a reason that was beyond Nicole.
"Gave who money?" Nicole arched an eyebrow.
"Dane. I know she had to scam some money out of you, playing up the fact that it's her birthday."
"Her birthday?" Nicole glanced away briefly, devoting her attention to searching her memory rather than paying Tyler any mind. She tried to remember the date on Danny's driver's license, but couldn't. "How do you know it's her birthday? You don't seem to care too much about her."
"I have my ways." He shrugged.
"What ways?" She required proof before believing him.
He rolled his eyes. "Fine. My aunt Christine called around looking for the birthday girl. It's something she does, for whatever reason." She hadn't expected such a quick and easy answer, but then she remembered he was trying to get back into her good graces.
"She didn't say anything," she muttered with a frown. She couldn't believe Danny kept silent about it being her birthday.
"What? You're kidding? She didn't come to you begging for money since it's her special day? She's such a bum. She always begs people for stuff, money especially. You know she'll just use it for drugs," Tyler stated smugly, folding his arms across his chest.
"She doesn't use drugs," Nicole countered tensely, glaring at him.
Tyler flinched. His forehead wrinkled as a puzzled expression conquered his face. She would wager that his pea-brain was wondering why she was so hostile toward him. Then, he was suddenly back to normal. He marched closer to her desk with a determined stride.
"She didn't do anything to you already, did she? You're trying to defend her. If she did something, just tell me right now. I'll have her removed from your house immediately," Tyler declared. "That filthy bitch is disgusting and low, putting her hands on whatever, acting like she owns the damn world," he grumbled.
Nicole's eyes flashed as anger gushed out of her. A vein on her temple started throbbing, ready to poke out because of his presence alone, She wanted to throttle him for daring to imply Danny would harm her yet again.
"Danny would never do anything I didn't want. Stay out of my business, Tyler. And don't bring personal things into the office. I have a job to do here and I don't need you distracting me with your bullshit," Nicole said sternly.
Tyler scowled tightly and his jaw tensed. "You think I'm distracting you? You need to open your eyes and realize that Dane's bad news. She's nothing but a junkie that will rob you blind."
Nicole tensed. She couldn't believe the arrogance and the gall of Tyler. Who the hell does he think he is? How dare he judge Danny? She was nothing but sweet and kind to her. Danny showed her affection and warmhearted devotion that she doubted Tyler could ever imagine.
"Funny, I'm missing less money with her around than I was with you around," Nicole snapped with a fury. He looked baffled, like he wasn't sure where the emotion was coming from. She wasn't sure where the emotion was coming from either, but she wouldn't stop until he ceased saying horrible things about Danny and got out of her office.
He cleared his throat and glanced away. "Well…she's obviously just biding her time. I know Dane, Nikki. You will regret taking her in."
"Get the hell out," Nicole commanded as if he was possessed and she was ordering an evil spirit out, pointing to the door.
"Just watch."
She growled and scanned her desk for something to throw at Tyler. He was intelligent enough to retreat from the office before she got her hands on something that would give him a nice knot. She slammed the door shut—loudly—and then tried to go back to work, but found it hard to concentrate.
"Damn him," she hissed, going into her briefcase, searching for something else to work on.
Two folders were ignored and then she came across a folder that she didn't recall putting in her briefcase. She took it out and opened it. She couldn't help smiling when she saw what it held—the applications for graduate school.
Danny, you're too sweet. I can't believe it's your birthday and you didn't say anything. Maybe her friends are doing something with her. Danny doesn't usually say anything involving her friends or plans or anything, Nicole reminded herself.
She absently went through the stack of applications, trying to think of what Danny planned for her birthday. There were no clues that Nicole could think of that hinted at her birthday. Nicole considered Danny just might not like birthdays, but she couldn't figure out why that would be. From her experience everyone liked birthdays.
The attorney was taken from her thoughts by the sound of her phone ringing. She almost daydreamed right through the irksome noise. By the time she picked it up, she had to pause momentarily to avoid sounding upset. She frowned when she was greeted by her father's voice.
"Nikki, I have another case for you. It shouldn't be too difficult."
"Daddy, I've already got enough cases," Nicole argued. More than enough.
"Nonsense, I know you can handle this. We have to make sure you stay busy, so you can become the youngest partner in the firm."
"Of course," she grumbled away from the receiver. "Daddy, I'm only one person." One person that is ready to drop.
"One extraordinary person. I'll bring you everything you need and go over it with you, but it's your case. I know you'll be able to do it justice as quickly as you always do." His pride was so evident it wouldn't have been surprising if it oozed through the phone.
Nicole didn't have a chance to argue. She'd never been able to talk her parents out of anything. Her father hung up as soon as he was finished explaining why he called. She sighed, knowing her workload was about to grow. She only hoped that her mother didn't come across a case or a contract or anything that she could do or she'd be working at home and through her weekends to stay on top of everything. Danny isn't going to like that, so I hope my mother doesn't call. There was no way that Danny would let her do so much work at home, for which she was thankful.
A smile spread across her face as she thought about the times that Danny kept her from working. Danny would curl up with her on the couch and they would either watch movies or listen to music. She especially liked it when Dane rested her head in her lap whenever they watched television. Sometimes they'd both lounge on the sofa and read or just Nicole would read, but Danny stayed there with her, never complaining, never begging for attention, and always comforting. So different from Tyler. Tyler seemed to think that the best way to keep Nicole from working was to hint that he wanted to have sex; it had nothing to do with Nicole's wellbeing.
The more Nicole thought about it, Danny was just different from any other person that she had let into her life—even her friends. Her friends were always on her case, either reprimanding her about how she handled her personal life or trying to get her to help them with their work or personal problems. Sometimes, she felt like a servant even with her friends. It seemed like she was there to support everyone, but no one really did it for her. They would tell her nice things to appease her, but she suspected they said it more to assuage any guilt that they might have than to compliment her.
She shook her head trying to rid herself of the negative thoughts. Shoving the college applications back into her briefcase, she got her head out of the clouds and went back to work. Unfortunately, Tyler wasn't to be the only distraction of the day. Her assistant came in with some bogus story about needing to leave early because of a sick grandmother. By Nicole's count, her assistant's grandmother should have been dead considering all the ailments with which the elderly woman became afflicted. Of course, that was assuming the elderly lady wasn't already deceased considering that her assistant already had attended her funeral three times. She supposed it was possible to have about six grandmothers, although she wasn't sure how.
Nicole didn't say anything, though. She'd manage without the assistant, as she often did. The woman claimed she'd finish up with her work before she left.
Before lunchtime arrived, Nicole was interrupted yet again. Mina entered her office. Before Mina even said
anything, Nicole knew her friend needed some kind of assistance with a client.
"Nicole, I need you to look at this contract for me." Mina held up a folder.
"Why? What's wrong?"
"That's what I'm hoping you'll tell me. I want to be sure that it's as good as it looks and I know you have that eagle eye for details like this. You're also good at finding hidden meanings to things."
Nicole sighed. "I guess I can look at it during lunch."
"You're going to spend your lunch inside again?" Mina asked incredulously, throwing her hands up.
The redhead frowned, insulted by her cohort's dramatic action. "I don't mind spending my lunches inside."
Mina smirked. "Oh, that's right. Your little roommate makes you lunch now. Does she give you midnight snacks, too?"
Nicole glared, erasing the smirk right from her friend's face. "My relationship with Danny is nothing like that."
"Okay, okay. Ease up, Nicole." Mina held her hands up in surrender. "I was only teasing you. So, will you look at the contract?" Nicole knew she wasn't off the hook. Mina would talk to her about Danny some other time, outside of work.
Before Nicole could repeat that she would, the phone rang. She put it on speakerphone. Her assistant, surprisingly still working, reported there was a "Dash" on the line. Nicole rolled her eyes.
"Put her through," Nicole ordered in an upset tone that made Mina arch an eyebrow. "Hey, Dash."
"Did that lazy bitch call me Dash again?"
"Danny, please don't call her that," the attorney requested. She shook her head disapprovingly, even though her roommate couldn't see.
"Why? She is. One day I'm going to end up at your office just to put my good foot up her ass. I bet she's abandoning you in a few minutes, too."
"Danny…"
"Fine, fine, fine. I was just calling to see how you are, Chem. I don't want you to get too stressed. Just remember you're surrounded by ungrateful idiots."
Nicole smiled. The expression received another raised eyebrow from Mina. Nicole noticed, but didn't say anything. She wondered why Mina seemed to think it was strange that she smiled while she was on the phone. The mocha-skinned lawyer eased her folder onto Nicole's desk and exited the room. There was a smug glint in her eyes that told Nicole she'd have to explain the phone call later.
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