“Nope, you just keep on doing a wonderful job, ” Duke purred. The waitress's face turned a marvelous shade of red as she tried her best to glide away.
“You’re going to give that poor girl a heart attack,” laughed Danielle as she watched the waitress stumble into the kitchen. “Are you always so charming?”
“Hey, all that charm is about to get us a round of free drinks.”
Danielle pinched her lips together around the rim of her glass, “That’s not very nice of you.” Duke was all smiles and good nature as he leaned across the table, moving close so that he could whisper in Danielle’s ear.
“I never said that I wasn’t going to make a move. Though,”He threw a quick glance behind them, “I don’t think she’s really my type.”
“No?” Danielle asked, “She’s pretty. A bit easily impressed, but pretty.”
The look Duke gave her was half embarrassment, and half amusement, “I’ve had a bad history with easily impressed blondes. Now I much prefer the women that are a bit harder to get.”
Danielle couldn’t ignore the look he was giving her. All intense eyes and an all too handsome smile. His flirting was effective, she’d give him that. But Danielle knew that nothing good would ever come from dating Duke. ‘No football players' was rule number one on her list for appropriate men. It was right above ‘never date a coworker.’ Since Duke met both of those points, she couldn’t possibly ever entertain the idea of being more than friendly with him.
No matter how much his eyes made her belly flip
The rest of the meal went through without too many hiccups. The smiley waitress brought them not only Duke’s promised round of free beers, but also a free appetizer and a dessert. She was so caught up in making herself available, that she hardly noticed when Duke asked for the check.
“You’ve given her a memory to cherish for the rest of her life,” Danielle crooned.
“I wouldn’t be surprised if she kept the bill just for the signature.”
Danielle and Duke left the restaurant after refusing an offer for post-lunch cocktails. Duke and his guards slunk away once they neared the office building, presumably to head out to a late practice, Danielle watched him leave as a crowd of photographers popped out to get his picture.
Watching him bask in the bright flashes and smile for the cameras was enough to remind Danielle exactly how young he was. Another point against him. She hadn’t dated a guy younger than her since high school, and even then it had only been a few weeks. All of her most recent boyfriends had been hard-working executive types. Men that knew what they wanted out of the world, men that wore suits everyday and worked out at expensive gyms.
Duke was so different from all of those other guys. He didn’t balk at her forthrightness, didn’t try to be better than her. And he certainly didn’t seem bothered by her work ethics. It was nice to see a man being sure of himself for once.
*****
“So, did Yvie tell you the news?” Shana Reeves bent over a small catalog, flipping through the glossy pages, mumbling every few seconds about the quality of the recycled paper. “Greg looked over the moon. Almost like he was in love all over again,”
“You saw them, Mom?” Danielle was leaned against the counter, swiping absently on the tablet that customers could use to order items not in stock. The little shop had been a birthday gift from Yvie and Danielle. Their mother had single handedly taken care of them. Dealing with angry parents, and even getting kicked out of her house when Yvette had been born. Being the free spirit she was, Shana took it all in stride, doing the best she could for her daughters. The end result had been pleasant, both women were doing more than alright, and Shana, much like Yvie, had everything she could ever want.
“They took me out to dinner on Friday,” she said, jotting down an item number on a piece of paper next to the catalog. “What do you think of these necklaces? 10% of each one sold goes back to the woman that made them.”
Fair Maiden was a fair-trade shop that her mother had always wanted. Shana was huge advocate for women’s rights, and every single item in her store was priced so that the people that made them got fair wages. One line of clothing was made entirely by an all-female village in Africa. Every month Shana sent them money for food and necessities. If she could, Shana would have given more than she could afford to help. In fact the first two months she’d owned the store had nearly put them out of business. Thankfully, Danielle thought ahead, and hired a really excellent financial planner to help oversee the stores finances, and keep her mother's charitable habit in check
“They brought Shari with them. Such a nice woman....”
“Who is Shari?”
“You know,” Shana turned sharply to Danielle, “the surrogate. She’s a nice girl, a little airheaded, thank God it’s not an adoption. A nice girl, but kind of an idiot.”
Danielle laughed, “How do you feel about getting some grandkids.” The smile that lit up Shana’s face was all the answer that Danielle needed. At 55, she was glowing at the prospect of grandchildren. Her happiness was enough to quell a tiny bit of Danielle’s annoyance at her sister.
“So, you think Yvie is ready to be a mom?”
“Well, she has some growing up to do, sure, but with all that money she has, she can always pay to learn how to be a good mom. I think it’ll be good for her.”
“As long as it’s a little girl, she won’t do any wrong. If they have a boy, he’ll be gay for sure with all the pink she’d put him in.”
There was a light moment of laughter which quickly stilled. Danielle closed her eyes, dreading the next words she knew would come out of her mother's mouth.
“What about you? Are you seeing anyone?”
Danielle sighed, “Not right now.”
With her hand on her hip, her mother struck her ‘no nonsense’ pose. One delicately painted finger pointing right at her daughter. “Weren’t you seeing that banker?”
“He was boring.”
“And the CEO,” Shana shot back.
“Wanted me to stay at home,” said Danielle quickly, folding her arms over her chest.
“How is that a bad thing?” Shana asked, her voice rising. “You know, some people would love a spouse that wants to take care of them.”
“I am not one of those people,” her voice was peppered with anger. “I love my job, I want to keep doing it.”
“Your job can’t give you children, no matter how hard you work at it.” Shana only broke out the ‘mom’ voice during emergencies. And at that moment, the sharp tones and deep glare was enough to make Dani feel like a little girl again. “I know you, sweetie. You have a plan and you will damn well stick to it. I know how much having children matters to you. But how are you supposed to do it if you are bent on having the perfect husband first?”
“How is wanting a good guy a bad thing?” She wanted to flinch at how whiny she sounded. It was amazing how only an hour with Shana could make all of her poise fade away.
Shana shook her head, “Good and perfect are two different things. You want a guy that makes good money, that has a great body, a 401K. and a damn helicopter. Newsflash sweetie, it takes a woman to make a man perfect. You’re going to have to find a man that you can help on his way to greatness. If he’s perfect without you, honey, why does he need you?”
“I guess there’s some truth to that,” Danielle said, her voice reluctant. “But I don’t know if I can get out of my head that much. And I deserve the best.” Parts of Danielle knew that Shana was right. It was a nearly yearly conversation. One that always ended inexplicably with Danielle going out on a date with some client’s son.
“I saw it, sweetie.” Shana called, “I saw you happy, with some handsome man.” She gave her daughter the warmest of smiles, marred only by the tiny hint of sadness in her eyes. “You just have to let him in.”
Normally, Danielle would roll her eyes at her mother's psychic knowledge. It was a parlor trick. A way to make money from
those people desperate to hear any kind of news. The little booth in the back of the store saw more than enough business, but Danielle didn’t believe any of her mother’s visions.
“Every year, mom. You tell me that every year.”
“And every year it comes true. It’s just a talent you have. You have this image of the ideal guy in your head, and guess what, sweetie? He doesn’t exist.” Those final words rang in Danielle’s ears as she watched Shana walk away.
Happiness always seemed like such a far away thing. Sure she had her career, a comfortable life, but Danielle knew that she wouldn’t ever find true happiness until she had someone to share it with.
Usually visits with her mother ended in brunch and too many mimosas. However, that day, once Shana started going on and on about prospective boyfriends, Danielle had to clear out. Back at home, she drew herself a hot bath, adding in handful after handful of lavender bath salts. Once the tub was nice and bubbly, she lowered herself in, enjoying the feel of the warm water on her skin.
Without anyone to distract her, Danielle couldn’t help that her mind wandered right over to Duke. He’d been missing from the office over the last few days because of practice. He’d be heading onto a bus in the morning to go on the road for the coming game.
The last time she’d seen him, he’d been sweaty, looking tired but amazing in his workout gear. As usual he’d flashed her a bright and cheery smile, even patting her on the shoulder. His touch had been electrifying, sending all sorts of delicious sparks down her back. Danielle couldn’t remember the last time she’d been so turned on by a man. Her sex life was very much dictated by work and the man’s potential as a boyfriend. Because of which, she’d been racking up a high score for a dry spell.
Not that she would have minded it ending with Duke. With his strong arms and bright eyes, and otherwise rippling body, Danielle was sure he was more than capable in the bedroom.
So caught up in her fantasy, Danielle hardly noticed her fingers inching closer and closer to her clit. When she finally did catch herself, she sighed in agitation. Thinking about doing that with Duke on her mind wasn’t high up on Danielle’s to-do list. But, it wasn’t like there was anything wrong with what she was doing, so she didn’t mind letting her fingers slip a little bit further under the water.
Her eyes fluttered closed as a soft wave of pleasure washed over her, and her exploring fingers got more and more brave. She was just reaching her peak when her phone beeped loudly from its place on the floor.
Duke: See you next week. We should get dinner.
The fact that the text was short and simple didn’t stop Danielle from reading it over, three times. Duke wanted to get dinner. Dinner meant a date. A date with a younger man, which judging by the spikes still tingling down her spine, she was very attracted to.
What would be the harm in it? He was a reasonably mature man, he knew when to use discretion. If it ended badly, Danielle knew that she’d be able to move on and continue with work as if nothing had happened.
But what if he couldn’t?
It was an unwelcome thought to have. Should the agency have to choose, they would choose Duke. Considering him brought them in millions in advertising and conferences alone. Now, while they couldn’t fire her for having relations with a client, the firm could end her contract at the end of the year. It was a risk, one that Danielle knew she couldn’t take until she’d skillfully considered all of the consequences.
Until she figured out what she wanted to do, however, she was more interested in giving her body what it needed. After all, if she couldn’t have him in real life, there was nothing in the employee handbook that said a girl couldn’t fantasize if she wanted to.
*****
“Ms. Bilson….Danielle…” The voice was jubilant and happy, out of place for a Monday. Danielle looked up from her computer screen to see Duke standing in the doorway, a large smile plastered on his face. “Did you think about dinner? There’s some things I wanted to talk to you about.”
“What kind of things.”
“Just..” And in that moment he was nervous, shuffling from foot to foot. “Just wanted to talk to you. You seemed kind of down at your party the other day, and I wanted to make sure you were okay.”
She cringed, remembering once again the drunken conversation they’d had. Really, it had been more her crying into his lap about her quickly drying up uterus. If anything it had been a one way conversation. She knew for a fact that Duke hadn’t gotten too many words in.
“I’m fine,” she said, waving off his worried expression. “It was just too much tequila. Didn’t I look okay at lunch the other day?”
He nodded, “Yeah, you did. And I didn’t want to mention anything then. You seemed to feel better. But, I was thinking,” he paused, the words seeming to freeze on his lips. “Can we just get dinner. The team won, it’s only fair that I celebrate with my favorite agent.”
Danielle put her hands on her hips, “I better be your only agent. Fine,” she sighed. “But only because you’re going to win the next two games and go to the Super Bowl...right?”
“Right.” Duke agreed. “So, I was thinking I could have something brought up here. The press is crazy lately, and it’s making me lose focus. Something quite would be best.”
“But wouldn’t it look even worse if we left the building together late at night.”
“How about we go to your place then? I really can’t handle another mob of photographers…”
Danielle huffed, “Fine, but you’re bringing the food, and please bring beer.”
“What kind of man would I be if I didn’t bring beer?” Duke left after that, leaving an opening for Jordan to pop his head into his bosses off.
“So, I didn’t mean to be nosy.”
“Yet here we are,” Danielle breathed, narrowing her eyes as her assistant drew closer.
“Those fertility appointments I made you,” he started, “You were actually worried weren’t you. I don’t mean to pry, Danielle...but...you were worried?”
“That’s none of your business, Jordan.”
Jordan rolled his eyes, “I buy you tampons, your business is my business. Besides, you’ve been tense since the big 3-0, and we both know how that impacts your numbers.” Jordan had taken the liberty of seating himself in one of the leather on the other side of her desk. The look he was giving his employer was a mix of worry and delight. “You want a little bundle of joy, right? Well what’s the issue?”
“Don’t you have work to do?” Asked Danielle sharply.
“I’m a great assistant, we both know that I can multitask my ass off. Now, tell me what's wrong, so I can help you fix it.”
Danielle relented, “I really want a baby. Soon; my mother couldn’t have kids after 33.” She closed her eyes against the admission, “I’m just afraid that if I don’t have one now, I never will.”
“All your fertility test came back normal, even the doctors said you shouldn’t have anything to worry about. If you want a baby so badly, why not just...you know….get pregnant-”
“Because I don’t want just a baby. I want the family I never had. A husband, a baby, hell, even a little fucking dog!” Danielle willed herself not to cry. There wasn’t any reason to. But something in her words, paired with the desperation in her voice was just making the entire situation overwhelming.
“Bilson, listen, you don’t have to wait for this dream guy to come around. It’s 2015, you can be a mother and a kick-ass agent all at once. You don’t need a man to help you after you’re pregnant.” He smiled gently at her, his blue eyes reassuring. “And, no one at this firm would dare look down on you. Ashley LaMay had quints and no one batted an eye.”
“You’re right,” she said, nodding furiously. “I just can’t help but think I’ll never find anyone. It’s so hard to date as a single mom.”
“Then you’ll know when the guy is truly right for you. A man that sticks around when there’s a kid involved is a kee
per.”
Danielle gazed across the desk at her assistant. His words ringing true in her ears. She could do it all on her own. And even if she needed a little help, like Yvette had taught her, a good nanny was a great asset.
“Look up some names of reputable clinics for me. Make some appointments. I’d like only Ivy educated men, race doesn’t matter, email me any other criteria you think of.” Jordan looked absolutely gleeful as he jumped up.
“Right away. I’ll call and see what place my sister went to. Her and her husband had some trouble and they didn’t want to use a surrogate.”
“Thanks for all your help, Jordan,” Danielle called after him, “I’ll remember it when it’s time for a bonus!”
The rest of the day moved by smoothly. With her mind not occupied on babies and aging, Danielle could really focus on work. Her goal every month was to have at least three news conferences lined up for clients, and to do at least four private bookings. Duke was booked up for the entire year already. His philanthropic spirit had him volunteering for charities all over the country. It wasn’t all sports related either, his main charity of choice was a foster home in New York. For the past three years, he’d gone to it at least once every December.
At 5:30, once most of the higher-ups had left for the day, Danielle gathered up her work. An excited buzz had her feeling jumpy: like a little kid who was anxious about a school trip. It was a nice feeling, one of anticipation that she didn’t often get. Aside from Yvette and their mother, Danielle didn’t have any regular friends. Jordan counted to a fault, but she had a sneaking suspicion that he was only friendly because she paid him. As drunk as she had been, it had been nice to unload on someone. Having someone listen without judging her was a new feeling to Danielle, and she didn’t mind it at all.
Perhaps the friendship with Duke could be a positive thing. Many agents became close with their clients. It wasn’t taboo. Danielle wasn’t fond of the stigma put upon her by the media. Just because she was a woman, making deals with powerful people, she obviously had to have slept with someone to get there. It was a disgusting double standard that she’d spent her entire career trying to avoid. Since the day she’d signed Duke, every paparazzi she encountered asked about whether or not they were dating. And if they weren’t dating, then which player was she seeing?
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