Work.
Job.
Paycheck.
Boss.
He had priorities to consider.
But hell, Serena was now the itch under his skin and Dan wanted desperately to scratch. All over.
Another thing bothered him. “Gino” couldn’t possibly be her date for the evening. Could he? Wouldn’t she have said so right away?
No. She said they had something to discuss so he couldn’t be her date.
Something about “Gino” and the protective way he held her made Dan wonder if they might be involved. He couldn’t mistake the male signal the man had given him when they were introduced. The “I take care of her, you better watch out, she’s mine” message got across to Dan loud and clear. Funny. He thought he’d sent out a “caution” signal to “Gino”, too.
He took another peek at the two. Why was the guy still holding her?
“Should I come to dinner with you?” Mike released his hold on his sister, frown lines appearing on his face to match his worried words.
“No, you better not. I have a date arranged already. Maybe I can use you another time, depending on how this plays out.” She moved away from her brother and slumped against a file cabinet. “I know this’ll sound crazy, but I still get nothing but good vibes from him.”
“Yeah, well, you felt that way about Alan. Maybe this Dan character is on the up and up and then again, maybe he’s another loser.”
Serena winced at her brother labeling Dan a loser. In her heart, she truly sensed more to him than womanizer on the prowl. Am I losing my gift? Will Dan Reese be my downfall? An uneasy feeling landed in the pit of her stomach, especially since, regardless of her suspicions, she couldn’t deny her attraction to him.
She handed her brother the key to her apartment. “Grab his file off my desk as we leave while I distract him and rush him out. There’s not much to go on and like I said, I did all the preliminary checks and he seems legitimate.”
“Sis, will you be all right? Sure you don’t want me to follow and wait outside for you?”
Her brother’s concern touched her heart, but she sensed no need for protection. “I’ll be fine. I’ll meet you back at my place in a few hours.”
Serena leaned toward her brother and planted a kiss on his cheek.
Dan hadn’t missed the final kiss shared by the two in the back room. With one stealthy maneuver, he backed away from the door and returned to his original spot in her office.
His insides churned after watching her hand a key to “Gino”. Had she planned some late-night rendezvous with him? He almost expected her to come out and suddenly reveal new plans she had for the evening, making an excuse why she couldn’t go to dinner.
Just try that, sweetheart. I won’t let you get away from me that easily.
Serena and Mike walked back into the office, turning their full attention to Dan. With a slight blush, she apologized.
“Sorry to keep you waiting. Gino is ready to leave and so should we.”
She smiled, took Dan’s arm and led him away from her desk. “Uh, Gino? Don’t forget the papers on my desk,” she mentioned as they reached the door.
Dan turned to see what “Gino” picked up from her desk, but Serena’s body blocked his view. Files on other women? Was this man working with the real Gino and setting up women for stud service?
Serena—a madam doling out potential, vulnerable clients for a bevy of guys? Was the mob involved? Did this new guy have mob connections like Gino?
Or, Serena—honest businesswoman, tantalizing beauty his body reacted to while his head swam with fantasies only she seemed destined to fulfill?
His mind whirled with questions as he wondered whom the real Serena would turn out to be.
Outside, Mike bid Serena and Dan good night and left them standing in the parking lot.
After a brief conversation, Dan somehow managed to convince her that they should drive together. Actually, Serena welcomed the suggestion. It gave her more time to scrutinize his every word and move.
“Dan, stop worrying about this. You’ll do fine. What can go wrong if you just be yourself with Miss ‘S’? Show her the real you. After all, you two do have some things in common.”
Serena’s stomach clenched as she spoke. What she’d just said wasn’t exactly true. Dan and his date had very little in common. She’d stretched the truth because their letter and number matched.
Sort of.
“What if she doesn’t like me? I mean, even you found me annoying when we first met.”
“I, umm, wouldn’t say that’s true. You’re a likeable guy. Really. You just need to relax and take cues from what she says.”
“I’m so glad you’ll be there.”
Serena shifted her eyes from the road to Dan. Was he telling the truth? If he were out to recruit clients for his own purposes, why would he want her there? Wouldn’t she just hinder his plan of action, mess up his usual routine?
Hmm. Maybe having her there offered a sense of legitimacy to the women she introduced him to, putting them at ease thus rendering them easy prey for his future moves.
“Don’t worry. I’ll keep my eye on you—I mean things—all night.”
Dan stretched in his seat. “You have no idea how comforting that is.”
Chapter Seven
“Mr. ‘Four-eighteen’, this is Miss ‘S’.” Serena did the introductions inside the restaurant’s lobby as they waited to be seated.
The blonde eyed Dan up and down and extended her hand to him. “Hi. You can call me Monica.” Her smile couldn’t hide the bored, unhappy greeting Serena immediately picked up on.
Damn. She should have seen this coming. Well, she did, in her own way of knowing. After all, more things didn’t match than did on their lists, even if their number and letter matched.
Sort of.
In Serena’s sight.
Damn again.
“Hi, I’m Dan.” He grabbed the woman’s small hand in his and pumped as if priming for water.
This wasn’t going well. Serena envisioned a quick evening if this beginning were any indication. She watched Monica pull her hand away from Dan and cross her arms. The blonde made some excuse about checking out the restaurant’s lobby entrance area and walked away.
“Dan. You’re trying too hard. Relax.” Serena said these words just as a voice in her head screamed out something entirely different. Idiot. This is good. He can’t take advantage of her if she hates him.
“Sorry. I’ll go over and talk to her.” He walked away, leaving Serena to wonder when her own date would make an appearance.
Ten minutes later, she had to admit the evening would be a disaster. Monica barely spoke to Dan, circling the small lobby as if utterly absorbed in scrutinizing the décor. Serena watched the woman avoid contact with him by moving away every time Dan headed in her direction.
Dan didn’t seem to get the hint. He kept following her around, making Serena more convinced than ever that he was on the level. No man could be so pathetic and clueless about his lack of charm unless socially challenged and weird to begin with. How could poor Dan really be a cad?
And, where the hell was Sean?
Serena decided not to prolong the night. Better to have dinner and get the evening over with as soon as possible, regardless of whether or not her date showed up. She, Dan and Monica would make an uncomfortable threesome, have dinner, then part company. With any luck, she could be home commiserating with her brother by nine.
The hostess brought them to a semicircled booth. Serena slid in, leaving ample space for her clients. Monica eased in next to her leaving space for Dan. Dating Disaster Dan pushed in next to Serena on the other side, causing both women to glide over the booth seat to make room for him.
Great. Sandwiched in the middle.
Monica declined a drink or appetizer and complained about what she perceived to be only fattening food on the menu. Dan gushed over the menu selections, excitingly pointing out all the wonderful choices availabl
e. Serena, attempting to squelch any stomach knots, tried to sound pleasant and interested in the many dishes he discussed as her brain glazed over at his one-sided conversation.
She and Dan had wine and shared two appetizers. Monica stared off into space, refusing any offers to taste foods after telling the waiter to be sure and bring a box for her leftovers.
As their meals were served, Sean rushed in to join them, an overdone smile covering his face and a hand placed over his heart. “Sorry I’m a little late. Got tied up at work.” He delivered his greeting with a curt nod to Dan and brief smile to Serena. His eyes then focused on Monica and remained there as he took inventory of the woman seated next to Serena. “I’m Sean.”
He leveled a very long look at Monica, one of a man sizing up his next date. Totally ignored, Serena slouched in her seat, witnessing a definite unplanned and mismatched “love at first sight” scenario unfolding before her eyes.
Monica’s grin accompanied her batting eyelashes as she held out her hand toward Sean. Serena knew that “I’m interested” stare Monica aimed at Sean meant Dan didn’t stand a chance.
“Well, hello there. I’m Monica. Why don’t you sit down right here next to me. You must be exhausted after a long day at work.” The woman practically purred with interest.
Serena almost choked on her forkful of linguini. Sean? Work? The man worked as a security guard at some corporate office and sat on his rear end all day, watching monitors.
Sean grinned at the blonde and slid onto the seat next to her. Serena couldn’t help but notice how the woman scooted away from her and closer to the new arrival.
Curious to note how Dan processed the scene between his date and hers, she casually glanced at him. The man continued to eat his meal with gusto, seemingly oblivious to the budding interest between the other two clients. As he chewed he smiled at Serena, never hinting his date’s behavior bothered him in the least.
“Hey, I’m Dan.” He offered a greeting to the other man then slid closer to Serena. “How am I doing?” Dan whispered to her.
Like a brick wall. Dense. Off in left field, more interested in your food than the fact that your date is getting chummy with Sean.
How could she still wonder if he was out to meet women for his own agenda? Mr. Nerd?
Thanks, Morgan. I feel like an idiot. Dan kept shoveling food into his mouth, regardless of how much his stomach churned from aggravation over continuing his little charade. Keeping up the pretense of being clueless about Monica’s interest in Sean and obvious revulsion over him, caused his insides to clench.
No point in making a scene since the blonde warded off any and all moves he tried at catching her attention. Maybe he wasn’t her type.
He eyed his rival, noting how he himself might look to a woman in comparison to the new arrival. Hmm. Dressed casually, there was nothing fancy about his own attire. Sean, on the other hand, wore a suit and tie, presenting a “richer” image. Maybe the guy was out to lure a wealthy customer and fingered the blonde as someone who had money.
Dan guessed it could be a possibility the woman was a target although her file didn’t indicate her monetary status. As a model, or an aspiring one, she dressed expensively. Could have a fortune hidden away somewhere that only Serena might be privy to. Maybe the woman wanted to keep that part of her life a secret and off her file info.
If her interest demanded finding someone with money to burn, there remained the possibility that Monica channeled her attention on Sean because he seemed a more likely candidate. Although he came across as a slick loser, maybe the guy was really a rich idiot in disguise and Serena knew this.
Then, what the hell was he there for?
To play chaperon?
Make the meeting look legit?
Could be.
Dan returned his attention to the conversation going on between Sean and Monica. Neither seemed interested in including the other two people at their table.
Serena’s head ached. Although she’d hoped for some success for Dan if he truly wanted to find someone and wasn’t a con artist, the evening wasn’t going as planned. She couldn’t deny a tiny twinge of jealousy over Monica being his date, then relief when the blonde dismissed him for Sean. The night would end quickly if Serena moved fast.
Sean hadn’t ordered a main dish, only a dessert that he shared with Monica. Dan and Serena chose decaf coffee.
When the bill was presented, the foursome split the tab. Dan and Serena exited the booth while the other two stayed seated.
“Uh, hope you don’t mind but Monica and I want to finish our discussion.”
Grateful for some type of closure and the ability to exit gracefully, Serena smiled. “Not a problem. I don’t know much about hard rock music anyway. You two enjoy yourselves.”
She then directed her attention to Dan, wondering how he’d take the news. After all, the man had just been dumped.
Like me.
He had the air of someone not at all affected by his date’s snub. “Sure. I don’t much care for that kind of music. More of a country music fan myself. Nice meeting both of you.”
With a humbling graciousness Serena wished she could portray, Dan shook hands with the happily seated couple. He then escorted her out of the restaurant.
“Nice couple. Sorry your date ignored you.” Dan’s comment came as they settled themselves inside the car for the ride back to her office.
Serena bristled at his comment. “He wasn’t really my date. I mean, uh, we just went out to make up the foursome. Sorry Monica didn’t work out for you.”
“Well, I know I made lots of mistakes tonight so I can’t blame her. You’ll just have to give me more help in getting ready for my next dinner date.”
Neither spoke during the rest of the ride. Dan tried to review the evening’s disastrous scenes. First, he’d made a fool of himself by hounding Monica in the lobby and following her around like a lovesick puppy. Then, he’d acted the complete buffoon and talked incessantly about food, something his date obviously had no interest in. His switch in gears and rambling on about the insurance business only succeeded in gaining yawns from everyone at the table.
The only spark of interest developed when Sean joined the group trying to speak Italian. Dan’s only dilemma—figure out if the airhead blonde’s goal pushed her to chase Sean or if Mr. Phony Italian Accent was putting the moves on Monica.
Hmm. Either one of them might have viewed the other as a potential target with money. Monica had talked about all her lucrative modeling jobs in the works. And, Sean did mention an inheritance becoming available in a month.
So, who was Serena setting up? Her plan all along must have been to get the two together. Maybe their number and letter didn’t match initially and using the guise of a foursome gave her the chance to throw Sean at Monica…or the other way around. After all, she had said she and Sean weren’t actually on a date.
This whole “sight” thing didn’t sit right with Dan. Hell, Monica had nothing in common with him. She wasn’t his type at all. He preferred someone like, well, Serena.
But, how could he fall for a fraud?
* * * * *
Serena thanked Dan for the ride when they parked next to her car. A near-blinding headache would only subside as soon as she could put the disastrous evening behind her. She opened the car door and scooted out of the seat.
“I’m sorry the night didn’t go as planned. I’ll call tomorrow to set up your next dinner date.”
“That’ll be fine, as long as you tag along, too. Now that you’ve seen me in action, you have to admit I need help.”
Maybe. Maybe not if it’s just a game.
“We’ll practice again before going out. And, don’t worry. I definitely will bring a date and make it a party of four.”
With a fake smile, Serena slammed the car door shut, purposefully staying rooted to the ground while waving to Dan as he drove away. Maybe now the pounding in her head would stop.
Instead of going right home, she’d
make a quick stop into her office. There she’d pull out the file for Miss “E”.
Serena reviewed their evening, wondering how it had gone from anxious to flop. Could Dan be so much of a loser he just didn’t have any charm to throw at women?
He’d been more interested in his food than the blonde, who happened to be a model. Didn’t he find her attractive?
Hmm. Maybe beauty didn’t interest him. Perhaps his mode of operation dictated he approach and dazzle plain-looking women, ones who might be thrilled at his attention. He was, after all, a handsome man. Someone she found herself attracted to.
He came across as tongue-tied, unable to dish out any credible compliment to a female date. Then again, he did say some nice things to her. But, that could just be part of his devious plan, a ruse to win Serena over and throw her off from following his true agenda.
Mike. She had to talk to her brother about the whole situation. Serena took the file already in hand, then hurried into the back room. Once there, she picked out files for Miss “X” and Gino, Mr. “Eight”. Mike might need to read about the women Dan would be meeting. He’d probably find it important to know about his alter ego, Gino, just in case he and Dan ever appeared in the same spot again.
Her mind kept replaying the events of the evening as she drove home. While pleasant and attentive to her, Dan acted like a naïve clod when it came to his date. He welcomed Sean, never hinting he’d viewed him as a rival.
As she drove home, Serena inhaled a deep, shaky breath, speculating over whether or not Dan could be unbelievably dense but legit. Her body and soul urged her to trust him. Alan’s betrayal came to mind, but somehow Dan never gave out the same type of negative vibes her former lover sent her way.
Those thoughts kept swimming in her head as she entered her apartment, searching for her brother’s comforting aura and the reassurance of her sanity.
* * * * *
Dan crouched down in the driver’s seat, certain that Serena hadn’t spotted him. He’d found her sweater in his car and driven back to the parking lot just as she’d driven away. Following her, he decided to use returning the garment as a ruse to maybe check out her apartment.
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