Reclaiming (3 page)

Since the first day she came to work there,
Candi and Victoria bugged Daniella to go out with them. But because of all the craziness with Jett, she’d resisted. However, given the events of earlier in the day, an evening out with some new friends for a few hours could be just what she needed.

Daniella sighed.
“Fine.”

“Great!” Victoria chirped. She handed the folder to Daniella. “Here you go.”

As the pair walked back towards Daniella’s office, Victoria asked, “Are you dating anyone right now?”

Daniella shook her head.
“No, why?”

“Oh I’ve got this friend who would be great for you.” She replied. “His name is Marlon. I’ll give him a call this afternoon.”

“Oh I…” Daniella stammered. “I’m not sure if I’m feeling up for that. Maybe another time?”

“Nonsense.” Victoria replied with a dismissive wave of her hand. “You two will hit it off. You’ll thank me for it; you’ll see.”

Daniella wondered if she had a sign around her neck that others saw but remained invisible to her. Did she look desperate? What was with everyone? But just as she was about to drift away into an endless self-dialog, Victoria interrupted her train of thought.

“Hey, were you guys looking for me a minute ago?”

“Oh yes,” Daniella began. “Did we get the banquet space worked out?”

“Hmm,” Victoria said. “I’ll call over there and find out. I’ll send you an e-mail about it once I know for sure. Sound good?”

“Yes.” Daniella replied. “You’re the best, Victoria.”

***

Daniella, Candi and Victoria arrived at the Tattlin’ Turtle about halfway through happy hour. Daniella was never a fan of the bar scene. It was fine for others, of course, it wasn’t something she enjoyed herself.

“Packed already!”
Candi exclaimed as they walked inside the bar.

The women scanned the room for a place to sit when Daniella noticed three
seats at the bar.

“Hey,” she said as she tapped Victoria on the shoulder and pointed in the direction of the bar stools. “Over there…”

Victoria nodded and the women made their way to the vacant seats. As they arrived, Candi said, “I am going to the ladies’ room. Anyone want to come with me?”

“I’ll go,” Victoria replied but before she left she motioned to the bartender.

He nodded in their direction and raised his index finger. “One sec, Vic.” He replied.

She smiled at him and leaned in towards Daniella.
“When he comes over, tell him that Candi and I want our usual.”

“Alright,” Daniella replied.

A few seconds after the women disappeared to the restroom, the bartender approached. As he walked over, Daniella realized she had to get out more often if the guys around Pine Hill looked like him. Tall and muscular, he sported deep dimples and ocean blue eyes to match.

“What’ll it be?” He said as he leaned in towards her.

“Oh, um,” Daniella began as she fidgeted with the cocktail menu. “Well, my friends said they want their usual and I’ll have a glass of Merlot.”

“You got it.” He said as he wiped the bar with a towel. “Anything to eat?”

“Um, not for me right now.” She said. “I don’t know if they are hungry or not.”

“No problem, I’ll bring menus over for you.” He said with a smile.

As he turned to walk away, she peered over the edge of the bar to get a peek at him from behind.

It was worth it.

A couple of minutes later, he returned with the cocktails and menus.

“Here you go.”

“Thanks,” Daniella replied. She turned in the direction of the bathroom and said, “I don’t know what they are doing in there. I’m sure they’ll be back any second.”

“No worries. Do you want to start a tab or…”

“Oh,” Daniella said. “Yes, that sounds good.”

She reached down into her purse and grabbed a credit card.

“Here,” she said, “put it on this.”

“Great,” he replied as he looked at the card. “Daniella Tanner, eh?”

She took an awkward sip of wine from the glass. “Yep.”

“Funny, I don’t remember seeing you in here before. You friends with those two troublemakers?”

“Yes, well, sort of. We work together.”

“Oh yeah?”

“Yeah, they’ve been asking me to come out and have drinks with them for a while now.” She began. “Victoria also told me that there’s someone she’d like for me to meet.” Daniella paused and scanned the room to see if anyone happened to be staring in her direction. The bartender opened his mouth to reply but before he uttered a single syllable, she picked up where she left a moment earlier.

“I mean, I don’t normally do like, blind dates or whatever, but she says there’s this guy Marlon that’s really great. But it seems like everyone is trying to set me up right now. I don’t know why. It’s not like I’m desperate or anything. It’s okay to be single. Right? I mean, what’s the big deal? Besides, with my luck, he’s probably a playboy bar fly that…”

As she babbled, she noticed his eyebrows narrow into confusion.

Oh God
… Shut up, Daniella. Shut up, shut up, shut up!!!!

Daniella fell silent.
“Sorry.” She said with a sheepish grin.

The bartender shrugged.
“Hey that’s okay, that’s what I’m here for,” he replied. “What makes you say that about this Marlon guy? Being a playboy bar fly and such…”

“I don’t know. Nothing I guess. I was rambling really.” She said. “In truth, he’s probably a sweet guy with glasses and an under bite. With my luck, he’s a coffee filter salesman with five kids and two moms to support.”

“Wow, sounds like Victoria can pick ‘em, eh?” He said as he leaned away from her.

Daniella shrugged,
“I…”

But before she could get another word out, Victoria
’s voice called out from behind her. “Marlon, sweetie!”

Daniella
’s head moved on a swivel. She looked left, then right but as Victoria approached, her friend leaned across the bar and hugged the very man Daniella confessed to moments earlier. She lowered her head into her hand and massaged her temple. Daniella wasn’t certain if it was possible to feel any dumber than she did at that moment.

“No glasses, no under bite, no kids…” he said with a wink.

“Oh, I… um,” Daniella stammered. “I am so embarrassed.”

Victoria turned to look at her.
“What’s going on here? Hey, did you two meet already?”

“More or less,” he chuckled. He extended his hand in Daniella’s direction. “Marlon… pleasure to meet you.”

“Hi,” Daniella replied with an awkward smile. “I’m sure that’s not true but you’re sweet for saying it.”

“Bah, don’t worry about it.” He said. “Excuse me for a second.”

Mercifully he turned and walked away.

Candi
walked up and joined the group. As she did, Victoria leaned in to Daniella and said, “What did you say?”

“Nothing… Ugh, everything.” Daniella replied as she threw back a healthy slug
of wine. “I am so mortified. I’m gonna go.”

“What?” Victoria said. “Go? Why? We just got here!”

“I’m sorry.” Daniella said. “Maybe another time…”

“Honey, wait…”
Candi replied. She turned to Victoria and said, “What happened? We were only in the bathroom for a few minutes.”

“I don’t know!” Victoria exclaimed.

After another minute of awkward discussion, Daniella made a hasty retreat. As she exited the bar, she felt terrible about it all but she just wasn’t ready. She moved quickly across the parking lot with her head down and purse slung across her shoulder.

“Hey!” A voice called out.

She didn’t bother to turn around.

“Daniella Tanner! Wait!” the voice called out once more.

She stopped and turned. As she looked, she saw Marlon approach with something in his hand. He walked up and extended it towards her. In it, was her credit card.

“Drinks are on the house…
” he said.

“Oh,” Daniella replied as she pulled a stray lock of hair behind her ear. “Thanks.”

“Are you sure you have to go?” He asked. “I just got off my shift. Buy you a drink?”

“No, I… I don’t think so.”

“Ah, come on now. Don’t worry about all that. Tell you what… I know you feel terrible about it.” He paused for a moment and cracked a sly smile. “It was a terrible thing, of course. Why don’t you make it up to me and buy
me
a drink instead?”

Daniella chuckled. He was cute. And charming. And not a coffee filter salesman with an under bite. And she really could use the company.

“Okay,” she replied. “
One
drink.”

The two of them went back inside and joined up with her friends. Within a few minutes, she was already happy she
’d made the decision to stay. A couple of hours later, one drink turned into two which turned into three. With little food in her stomach, Daniella started to feel the effects as it came time for her to head home.

“Whoa…” she said as she stood from the table.

“Hey,” Marlon replied as he got up and grabbed her arm. “You, uh, okay?”

“I don’t know…” she replied.
“A little tipsy, maybe.”

“I’d say a lot more than a little!”
Candi snorted.

“Hey…” Daniella said as she grabbed at her right earlobe. “You guys, do you see my earring lying around anywhere?”

For a good minute, everyone scoured the area around the table but they soon abandoned the search when it didn’t materialize.

“I’m sure it’ll turn up,” Marlon said.

“Dang,” Daniella replied. “I love these earrings. I hope so. You’ll keep it for me if you find it, won’t you?”

“Yep.” He replied. He gestured towards the exit and said, “You need a lift home?”

“No, I…” Daniella began.

“Yes, she does. Thank you Marlon.” Victoria interrupted.

After a bit of protest, Daniella agreed and several minutes later she and Marlon prepared to leave. She hugged Candi and Victoria amid warnings to behave herself.

As they walked to the parking lot, Daniella asked,
“Are we taking my car or yours?”

“Oh we’ll take your car. My brother has mine.” He replied. “Instead of picking me up here, he’ll meet us at your place once I text him the address.”

“Oh, okay.”

Even though Daniella drank more than she ordinarily would, she managed to not embarrass herself anymore that evening. As they drove back to her place, the pair made a bit more small talk.

“So…” Marlon said as the pulled into the parking lot of her apartment building. “Any interest in going out with me sometime?”

“Yes,” Daniella replied. “But, things are crazy for me right now. Maybe after they settle down a bit?”

“Sure,” Marlon replied as he switched off the engine. “I understand. Look, if you have a boyfriend or whatever, let me know. I won’t bother you.”

“No,” she said. “It’s not like that… It’s just… It’s complicated.”

“No problem.” He replied as he handed her the keys. “You know where to find me. Anytime you want, drop by the bar and drinks are on me.”

She smiled.
“Thank you, Marlon.”

As they got out of the car, Marlon
’s brother pulled up.

“My ride’s here.” Marlon said as he gestured in the direction of his brother’s car. “Want me to walk you up to your place?”

“No, thank you. That’s very sweet of you though.”

“Okay, don’t let that get around now. If everyone knew what a softie I was, it could create problems for me.”

Daniella smiled. “I understand. Don’t worry…” she said as she made a zipper motion across her lips. “Your secret is safe with me.”

A few seconds later, Marlon jumped in his brother
’s car and drove away.

***

Daniella walked about halfway up the flight of stairs and then stopped for a moment to watch them drive away.

Once they were out of sight, she continued up towards her apartment. As she fished around in her purse for her keys, she glanced across the street and noticed that
the undercover officers still hadn’t returned.

He had to be in custody; it was the only thing that made any sense. She hadn
’t gone so much as a single day since his disappearance without the presence of a patrol car somewhere nearby. And now, nothing?

Just then, Daniella felt a slight breeze against her cheek. Even though it was still the middle of summer, a chill was in the air. Winter came early to these parts and the wind always signaled the change. Perhaps, for once, a change for the better would blow in her direction. Maybe Marlon was the change she needed. She smiled at the thought of him. It was nice to feel that way about someone new again. Lord knows she needed the distraction.