Her eyes glistened and pooled with moisture. “Ryan, I am truly touched, I really am. I’ve got so much swirling around in my head right now, I don’t think it’s fair to any of us if I don’t try to resolve my issues with Emily before I make any more changes in my life...in our lives.”
Ryan’s heart grew heavy. It definitely wasn’t the reaction he’d hoped for. “I understand.”
“Please…” She cupped one side of his face and gazed directly into his eyes. “Please don’t be angry with me. I’m not saying no, I’m just not saying yes, not today.”
A glimmer of hope eased the ache in his heart. “Okay, I’ll settle for you not saying no, but hear this...only for now. In the meantime, have you decided how you’re going to handle what happened tonight?”
Dani drank the rest of her wine and moved back to lean against him. “I really don’t know, but I’m going to have one sick little girl in the morning.”
Ryan chuckled. “Not to be insensitive, but I hope she has one hell of a hangover.” He felt the tension in her body ease.
“I guess I’ll play it by ear, and hopefully, when she hears I’m not going back to Teasers, she’ll come around.”
He wrapped his arms around her from behind and set his chin on the top of her head. “Once we get Emily back on track and you settle into your job, promise me we’ll have a serious discussion about our future?”
“I promise.” She closed her eyes and relaxed further into him. “Thank you for giving me the time to sort things out.”
Ryan kissed her forehead. There isn’t anything I wouldn’t do for you.
Dani woke up feeling like she’d been run over by a truck. The emotional toll of the previous day from hell made getting out of bed a forced act. She briefly debated pulling the shades down and blanket over her head, but memory of holding Emily’s hair back prompted her to get out of bed and set the coffeemaker perking.
On the way to the bathroom, she peeked in on her daughter. Emily lay sprawled out sideways. Her disheveled curls fell over the side of the bed, and her pale skin was a clear indicator of an inevitable killer hangover to come.
Dani believed in God, but never attended church. For the first time since being a little girl, she prayed. Prayed Emily’s act of defiance didn’t lend way to future problems with alcohol.
The sun beamed in through the crystals in the kitchen window, casting tiny rainbows on the wall. Today should’ve been a day of celebration. At times she felt like she’d open her eyes to find it had all been a dream, but in reality, Monday morning she really would be going to work at one of the most prestigious design houses in the country.
The tell-tale creak of Emily’s door told of her being awake. Footsteps dragged across the floor above the kitchen, followed by the bathroom door closing.
Dani didn’t have a clue what she should say to her daughter? She poured another cup of coffee and sat at the breakfast bar. Her heartbeat kept perfect rhythm with each footstep she took coming down the stairs.
Emily came into the kitchen with a hand leveled over her eyes. She shuffled right past her mother, and proceeded to pour herself a coffee with three heaping teaspoons of sugar with milk.
With each second that passed, Dani’s anger at being ignored grew. Her daughter leaned against the counter and sipped from her mug.
How long is she going to keep this up?
“Ignoring me isn’t going to make me go away. I think you need to sit at the table and talk to me.” She slid off the barstool and took her usual place at the table. Her hung-over kid hadn’t budged. “Now, little girl.”
Emily huffed and shuffled across the floor to sit opposite her. She put her head down on her folded arms. “Oh my God.”
“Feeling a little under the weather, are we?” Dani didn’t let on how much she enjoyed her girl’s well-deserved suffering. “I want you to sit up and look at me. We need to talk.”
Emily slowly raised her head. “Mom, you have every right to be mad at me, but I really feel like crap.”
“I’m glad. Now, you can answer a few questions for me. Question number one... how did you go from throwing a hissy-fit in your bedroom to being picked up by the cops, drunk out of your mind, and all alone in the middle of a parking lot?”
Emily groaned. “Oh God, okay...shortly after you left, Chad called and asked if I wanted to hang out.” She shrugged. “I figured, why not. You didn’t seem to care, and Ryan fell asleep watching television.”
Hearing those words come out of her only child’s mouth sliced through her heart. “Why would you ever think I don’t care?”
Her bottom lip quivered. “You knew how much I hated you working at a stripper bar, and you left anyways.” She drew in a shaky breath. “I figured you didn’t care, so why should I?”
Dani reached across the table and clasped her daughter’s hand. “Oh Emily, you couldn’t be more wrong. You have to know you are the most important person in my life. Everything I do is for you.”
In that moment she was looking into the tear-filled eyes of a very little girl. The same little girl she’d rocked to sleep and healed many a bump and bruise with only a kiss.
“Do you really believe I enjoy working there?”
Emily met her gaze. “You don’t?”
“No Emily, I don’t. In fact, last night I quit.”
Tears spilled over her long lashes. “You did? For real?”
Dani held her daughter’s face in her hands and brushed the tears away with the pad of her thumbs. “For real.” She smiled, so happy to have the real Emily back. “Now, I need you to do something for me.”
Emily hiccupped. “What?”
“I need your word you’ll never pull a stunt like you did last night again. I start my dream job on Monday, but if I have to worry you’re off partying with those boys—who by the way left you alone to deal with the cops—I can’t take the job.”
“I can honestly say I will never touch alcohol again for as long as I live.” She groaned and splayed her hands across her belly in emphasis. “You have to take that job, Mom. I promise you don’t have to worry about me. I’m truly sorry about last night.”
Dani stood. “Come here and give your mother a hug.”
Emily rushed into her arms, dampening her shirt with her tears. “I love you, Mom.”
Dani held her close, emblazoning the special moment to her memory. Welcome back, baby girl. Once she’d regained some semblance of composure, she gave her one last squeeze and pulled away, keeping her at arm’s length. “However, what happened last night was wrong, no matter how sorry you are, and I promised the arresting officer I’d give you a punishment befitting your crime.”
Her eyes grew big, and she tugged at her bottom lip with her teeth.
“You will come home directly after school and not leave again until you leave for school again in the morning...indefinitely. Right now, you’ll march upstairs and scrub the toilet you were sick in, inside and out. When you finish that, I want you to wash the bathroom floor. Got it?”
Emily swallowed hard, visibly paling. “That will definitely make me puke. Do I really have to do it now?”
“Yes, my darling daughter, now.”
She clamped a hand over her mouth and ran upstairs. “Mom! This is so not fair!”
Well at least she’ll remember this, if she ever feels pressured to go drinking again. Dani laughed loud enough for her to hear it. “Make sure you use the toilet brush and scrub, scrub, scrub.”
“Ugh!” Emily’s groan reverberated throughout the house.
Don’t do the crime if you can’t do the time, my dear.
Chapter Eight
Dani ducked back around the corner and pressed her back against the wall. Shit! What is that sleazebag doing here?
The piece-of-work from her last night at Teasers stood in front of New Age Designs’ elevators, talking on his phone.
This can’t be happening.
“Are you coming?” JD peeked around the corner. “Come on, there’s someone
I’d like you to meet.”
Dani feigned a smiled and smoothed a hand down her skirt. Please don’t let it be him. “I’m coming.” Her stomach flip-flopped as JD stood next to him.
“Mr. James, I don’t think you’ve met the newest member of the design team.” JD pulled her forward. “This is Dani Savery. Dani, this is our Vice President, Mr. David James.”
Mr. James peered over the rim of his glasses. Not a hint of recognition showed in his dark eyes.
Thank God.
“Hello, Mr. James.” Dani held out her hand. “It’s nice to meet you.” She prayed neither man heard the tremor in her voice.
The sleazebag nodded curtly. “Ms. Savery.”
The elevator doors opened, and he walked inside without another word. JD followed and held the elevator door.
“Dani, are you coming?”
“I-I just remembered something. I’ll catch up with you in a few minutes.
“Okie-dokie.” JD stepped back while Mr. James seemed all consumed in texting.
She breathed a huge sigh of relief once the doors closed between them. “Phew.” That was way too close for comfort. Thank God he didn’t recognize me.
For once, she was glad she’d continued to wear long sleeves. For now, her tattoos would remain a secret. No doubt the sleazebag would’ve fired her on the spot if he put two and two together.
Dani decided not to join JD, just in case he’d invited Mr. James to have lunch with them. She went back to the cutting room and resumed sewing together her first official sample at New Age Designs.
Time slipped away as she pieced together the jumper. She’d sewn the last hem when JD came back into the room.
“You know, I’m not the kind of guy who gets stood up, never mind by a woman.” He put his hands on his slender hips.
“I’m sorry. I got so anxious to see this put together.” She held up the results of their morning collaboration.
“Oh my goodness...it is gorgeous darling.” He took the jade green, sleeveless dress from her hands and held it up to him in front of the mirror. “You, my dear, are amazing.”
Dani laughed, pleased he approved. JD modeled in the mirror as if he intended on wearing it himself.
Maybe he does...
“Come. We have to show Mr. Deets.” He practically dragged her behind him. “He’s up in advertising. It won’t take but a minute.”
Dani found his excitement contagious. Her pulse quickened on the ride up to the seventh floor. Even so, she tried to blend into the background as much as she could while JD gushed to Mr. Deets. She felt a little uncomfortable tooting her own horn to a man of his status.
JD stepped aside and their boss waggled his finger at her. “I knew we wouldn’t be sorry for hiring you, and this is only the first week. Keep it up, Honey. You’re going places.”
“Thank you, Sir.” Dani lowered her lashes and cursed the heat rising to her face.
Mr. Deets passed the dress back to his designer. “Stop and have Marsha get this photographed on one of our models asap.”
“Yes, Sir.” JD’s elation played on every feature of his face for all to see.
Dani followed him out of the office feeling very proud and confident in her abilities.
“I’ll meet you back in our room. I shouldn’t be long.”
He left her at the elevators just as the doors open. Her smile faded to find herself face-to-face with Mr. James, who was yet again engrossed in his phone.
Dani stepped on as quietly as possible and pushed number three. She felt the warmth of his breath on the back of her neck, sending a shiver through her body.
“Did you really believe I wouldn’t recognize you? Just because you covered up your tattoos and those luscious tits of yours doesn’t change the kind of woman you are.” He ran his finger down the curve of her neck.
“Keep your hands off of me.” Dani shuddered, the threat of puking very real.
“Now, now, if you want this job, I can think of a way to ensure your position.”
“Touch me again, and I’ll scream.”
The Vice-President spun her around and backed her into the corner. “You are in no position to threaten me.”
Suddenly, the elevator doors opened and he stepped back, straightening his tie. “This never happened if you know what’s good for you.” He spoke out the side of his mouth and smiled devilishly before getting off. “Have a nice day, Ms. Savery.”
Dani jabbed the close door button and backed up against the wall. “Asshole.” She’d never been happier to see the end of the day, unsure if she could work beside JD without him sensing something amiss.
She sighed wearily and left the building.
My dream job is turning into a nightmare.
Ryan closed his eyes and inhaled the mouth-watering aroma of his secret recipe for spaghetti sauce. He dipped his spoon in the pot and licked it clean. “Mm-mm-good, if I do say so myself.”
Dani worked long hours all week and usually went to bed by ten each night. It didn’t leave a whole lot of time for him, and he missed her. Cooking supper had been a spur of the moment idea to celebrate her first week at the new job. To be honest, he had an ulterior motive, to take her up on her promise to discuss their future together.
Good or bad, he’d have the long-awaited answer to his question this evening. He could only hope he wasn’t jeopardizing their special friendship by pushing the issue.
The sound of her car pulling into the driveway startled him, and he dropped the spoon in the pot of sauce.
“Shit!”
Ryan rummaged through the utensil drawers for tongs and fished out the spoon. He turned the water on the stove to boil for the pasta and preheated the oven for a tray of garlic bread with cheese he’d already prepared.
The front door opened.
“Oh my! Am I in the right house? Emily? Are you here?”
Ryan came out of the kitchen to find her laughing at him. He wasn’t sure why until he remembered he still wore her ruffled apron. He put one hand on his hip and the other to the side of his head. “So, do you like?” He fluttered his eyelashes.
Dani crossed the distance between them and hugged him. “Thank you. You have perfect timing.” She heaved a weary sigh, clinging to him harder than warranted.
He held her at arm’s length. “Are you okay? Did something happen at work you want to talk about?”
“We can talk later. What are you cooking? It smells heavenly.”
Ryan let her change the subject, for now. “Spaghetti and meatballs, my secret sauce recipe...and garlic bread with cheese. Please sit.” He rushed ahead and pulled out a chair at the table. “I will be your waiter for the evening. Would the lady care for a glass of wine while the pasta cooks?”
She smiled at the beautifully set table, and her gaze settled on the arrangement of daisies and black-eyed Susan’s he’s placed in the middle of the table.
“Everything looks wonderful, Ryan. Yes, I’d love a glass of wine.” Her voice cracked and she looked away.
“Are you sure you’re okay?”” He smoothed a hand across her shoulders. It worried him to see Dani so emotional, being very out of character for her.
She rubbed her eyes. “No, I’m fine, really. I got something in my eye.” She blinked rapidly. “It’s okay, I think I got it.”
Ryan fetched a glass of wine, and she smiled as she took it from him.
“You are a terrible liar, my friend. I want you to tell me what happened after we eat, okay?”
Dani raised her glass. “Deal.”
Dani excused herself after the scrumptious meal Ryan surprised her with. Always intuitive to what she needed, he kept the conversation light and amiable. She changed into yoga pants and T-shirt and scrubbed her face and brushed out her hair.
Now she needed to talk to Ryan about the VP. He always gave sound advice, whether it be what she wanted to hear or not. One of many admirable traits she loved about him. He was a straight shooter, no pretenses or facades.
By the ti
me she came back downstairs, the table had been cleared, and the dishwasher loaded. The aroma of his secret recipe, now replaced with freshly brewed coffee. A bottle of Bailey’s sat next to the coffeemaker—a favorite after-dinner indulgence.
Sometimes I think he knows me better than I know myself.
As suspected, Ryan sat out on the front porch with coffee for both of them. She took the mug from his hands and held it under her nose. “Mm, you’re spoiling me.” She smiled and sipped at the smooth java.
The ongoing rain shower took the heat of the day away. She’d always loved watching the rain, ever since she was a little girl.
“Thank you for dinner. Everything was perfect.”
Ryan winked and raised his mug. “I aim to please, my dear.”
“Yes, yes you do.” Dani leaned back in the swing, setting it in motion.
“So, are you ready to talk about your day?”
She sighed. “Do you remember me telling you about pouring a jug of draft over an obnoxious customer’s head at the bar?”
He planted his feet firmly in place, stopping the swing in motion. “Yes, it happened on your last night there.”
“Well, it turns out the sleazebag is none other than the Vice President of New Age Designs.”
“Are you kidding me?” Ryan grew rigid, anger ablaze in his expressive blue eyes. “He didn’t hurt you did he?”
“No, no. In fact, when we were introduced, he showed no sign of knowing who I was.”
“Well, that’s good then. As long as it stays that way, I don’t see what the problem is.”
Dani shook her head. “I thought so too, until I ran into him later in the elevator.”
“Shit.” The muscles on his neck tightened.
“Yes, shit. He told me my clothes didn’t hide the kind of gal I really am and he knew of a way to keep my job.”
“What?”
Dani watched Ryan’s anger mount. Maybe I shouldn’t have told him anything.
“Luckily the elevator stopped before our conversation could go any further. He told me if I told anyone about our conversation, I’d be out on my ass.”
Dani (Women of Strength Series) Page 4