Quench Me
      Chapter 27
 

 

By the time Danny and I walk through the doors at Company, his hands are sweating and he’s fidgeting constantly. I spent the better part of the afternoon trying to convince him that Rick wasn’t planning on any kind of mission and that he just wants to get to know Danny better, but for all my efforts, Danny still looks like he might bolt from the restaurant before we even make it to the table.

It took him almost two hours to decide what to wear, and as I tried to help him decide, I told him that he was worse than any woman I’d ever known. He wanted to wear a tie, as if that would somehow impress my brother, but I told him that no way was I going to dress up that much, and he’d be totally out of place. He finally gave in and put on a pair of khaki pants and a black sweater, and chastised me for making fun of his wardrobe trouble. As I look at him now, I realize just how fabulous he really looks.

Rick is already there, waiting for us, and I tighten my grip on Danny’s hand as Rick turns around to say hello.

"Hi you two," Rick says.

He and Danny shake hands and exchange hellos, and I look on with a smile as the awkwardness of the moment shows on Danny’s face.

"I hope you haven’t been waiting long," I say to Rick, as Danny pulls my chair out for me.

"Nope, just got here," he answers.

"This is really nice of you, Rick," Danny says. "I appreciate the invitation."

Although Rick is enjoying needling away at Danny, he relents when he sees how uncomfortable Danny is. "It’s the least I can do, Danny," Rick replies. "You make my sister very happy."

Danny looks at me and smiles, gently patting my knee beneath the table. He turns to Rick and says, "The feeling is mutual."

Finally, Danny relaxes a bit, and he and Rick embark on a conversation of their own. I’m fairly quiet throughout the duration of our dinner, content to watch the budding relationship between the two most important men in my life.

After dinner, Rick stands up to leave. "Well, if you’ll excuse me," he begins. "I’ve got an appointment with a newspaper and my recliner. You two enjoy the rest of your evening."

"Thanks for dinner, Rick," Danny says.

"No problem," Rick replies.

I get up from the table and put my arms around my brother’s neck. Softly whispering in his ear, I say, "Thank you Rick. For everything."

"Your welcome, Michelle," Rick whispers back. "I love you."

"That wasn’t so bad, was it?" I ask, as I sit back down at the table next to Danny.

"Actually, no," he answers. With a sly grin, he says, "But I still think I should’ve worn a tie."

Running my hand along his shoulder, I reply, "I think not, Mr. Santos. You look like the man of my dreams."

My face is inches from his, and I wonder if I’ve crossed the line with that remark. My fears subside, however, as I see his beautiful smile spread across his face. "How can I argue with that?"

"You can’t," I answer, softly kissing his cheek.

"You’re car is still at my house," he says. "So that means you’ve got to come home with me, for a few minutes at least." His hand is now on the back of my neck, his fingers making minute circles on the tender flesh underneath my hair.

"And just what do you have in mind for those ‘few minutes’?" I ask.

"Well, if you don’t object, I’d like to dance with you again," he says, still creating fire on the back of my neck with his touch.

"I don’t object at all," I answer. "Let’s go."

And with that, we walk out of the restaurant, hand in hand.