The Fighter's Block (19 page)

There he went, questioning everything again. Dani told him not to do that, especially since they’d already discussed his family issues and the worries he had about it affecting her life. She love
d Van for who he was and
from where he came. She wanted him to accept the same fact about her, so it was an agreement that was made between the two of them.

But the other factors—where they lived and the fight club—hadn’t been discussed yet. And Brian was still an issue, whether Dani wanted to believe it or not. Van knew he didn’t just disappear—not a guy
with
that much ego—and he was worried about how Brian was going to strike next. He didn’t know what Brian’s deal was, but Van was sure they hadn’t seen the last of him.

And if
Van
asked Dani to marry him, w
ould it make Brian back off for good?

Or would it only fuel the fire
…

“Okay, before you say anything, just let me get through this,” Marnie said as soon as Dani picked up the phone. “I’m really sorry for being such a bitch—I just get like that, I really do. And there’s not even a reason half the time— I’m a Jersey gi
rl; I have a short temper and an
attitude t
hat scares even my own mother. A
nd she’s a mean lady. Will you forgive me, Dani? I just want to
move on and be friends again.”

“Of course I forgive you. Everyone’s entitled to a full-out assault for no reason at all.”

Marnie laughed, glad Dani was bold enough to say such a thing to her. But she did say, “Oh, you haven’t even seen full-out assault, honey…”

The two talked for a few minutes until Marnie had to head out for work. Dani was already in the middle of some work on her computer when Marnie had called, so she returned to the current project. It was a Sunday, not her normal workday, but Van was at work and she really didn’t have much else to do. She wanted to go to the store to get some groceries, but she had promised Van that she wouldn’t even do
that
on her own. He was still worried about Brian, and even though she felt like he was no longer an issue, she wanted to respect her boyfriend’s wishes.

Jaime called an hour later. “I think I have an idea to get information about Van’s sister.”

“Really? What is it? Because I’m at a dead end and I—”

“You probably won’t do it
.
”

“Do what? Just tell me.”

“I’ve got a couple
hours of freedom. Wanna go to
lunch with me?”

“Definitely.”

It was perfect. She’d get a great idea from Jaime
and
get some grocery shopping done.

As soon as Dani was in her sister’s car she asked, “What’s the idea? How can I find Leah?”

“You’re not going to like it.”

“I’m not sleeping with anyone to get information.”

“See, I told you
you
wouldn’t like it.”

“What? Are you kidding me?”

Jaime laughed. “I don’t really know.”

Dani gave her a look that clearly said, “Give me the damn idea already.”

“Okay, so Steve has this friend—”

“Oh God, you really aren’t kidding.”

Jaime laughed. “I don’t even have a plan, Dani, I’m just giving you a start.”

“Okay
fine, keep
going.”

“His name is
Salvatore—”

“Honestly!” Dani groaned.

Jaime smiled but continued with, “He’s a social worker, D. I don’t know, maybe you could make friends with him somehow. Maybe you could convince him to help you out.”

“He’s a total perv, isn’t he?”

“He just… Well, he does like
the ladies.”

“And he’s grotesque and thinks he actually has a chance with them.”

“Pretty much. But he’s not really grotesque until you hear his pickup lines.”

Dani chuckled sarcastically. “I can’t wait.”

“So you’ll do it? You’ll go out with him?”

“Wait, you didn’t already set me up with him, did you—?”

“No, no,” she replied, shaking her head. “I wanted to run it by you first.”

Dani took a moment to think about it. “Van would have a cow. I can’t do it, Jaime.”

“It’s
for
Van, Dani. Just think about how happy he’ll be when you find his sister.”

“Yes I know, but to go out with another guy in order to do it?”

“Oh God, it’s not like you’re actually going to have sex with him!” she scoffed. “Are you?”

“No! Are you kidding me
!?
”

“Okay, okay, just checking…”

Dani sighed. It was just a date, right? Just a meet and greet, possibly
a
Q & A about this and that… She could do that, right? And it really was for a good cause…

“If he’s a friend of Steve’s, why can’t
he
just ask him for a favor?” she had to ask.

“Well, they aren’t exactly friends anymore.”

“What? Then how exactly will you set me up on a date with him? Like he’d take the r
ecommendation from an
ex
friend.
”

“I know, which is why it will have to be completely accidental. You know, right place and right time?”

“What? No, that
would be
way too much scheming.”

“Scheming? How is that different than me setting you up with him?”

“How would I even pull it off? I’m not an actress, Jaime!”

“Sure you are. Remember all those years you pretended to love modeling? And how well you lied to Casey, insisting you didn’t have an eating disorder?”

“I miss Casey,
”
she frowned.

“Stick to the task at hand, Dani. You’re
going
to find Van’s sister.”

“I’m going to find Van’s sister.”

“That’s the spirit, sis. So here’s what I suggest…”

Dani looked at herself in the rearview mirror one last time.

“You look
fine
,
ma chère
,
” Jaime said.

“I know I do, but I’m just trying to live with myself right now.”

Jaime groaned but laughed. “It’s going to be okay
, Dani
. A room full of people in his parents’ restaurant, a pretend friend to help you through it… It will be great.”

“You sure this Leslie chick is up for this?”

“Oh, definitely. S
he
is
an actress—a great one—and she’s looking forward to this.”

“And remin
d me once again why she’s at a family
gathering
with the Delatorre’s? See, I’m already forgetting everything!”

“No, you’re not. Leslie’s sister is married to Mario Delatorre. Sal is her brother-in-law.”

“And she hates him.”

“Yes. In fact, she had some great ideas that she wanted to—”

“Oh, God.”

“Okay, okay, just stick to the plan.”

“Yeah, but will she?”

“Uh, I hope so.”

“What?”

“Just kidding…”

Dani felt even
more unsure
of what she was about to do, but there was no time to back out. Leslie appeared at the car that very second and Dani’s scene was up. Yep, she and Leslie were long time friends, and it wasn’t a big deal at all that they’d be at
Italiano
during the family’s traditional Sunday gathering. She hoped to God that nothing went amiss because of her little deception that night.

Leslie began chatting away with her like they really were
besties
from high s
chool. She was talking about other pretend friends
as they entered the restaurant and sat down at a table of her choice. She waved and said hello to a few people that she knew, including a large table of Italians that were obviously her sister’s in-laws.

And there he was. Salvatore. Dani could even tell by
the way he was looking at her. And b
ecause of the way he undressed her with his eyes, she wanted to
light
him
on fire
. B
ut she smiled shyly and returned her attention back to Leslie.

“Well that was perfectly played,” Leslie
murmured
casually with a smile. “Do it again in about ten seconds. It’s all it will take.”

“You’re kidding me.”

“Nope, unfortunately I’m not.”

“You aren’t really going to leave me alone with him, are you?”

“That’s the plan, sweetie. I’ll go talk to my sister for a bit, and he’s all yours.”

“Oh, fantastic,” she replied. She took a sip of her water and glanced at the far table again. Yep, he was still staring at her, and he even added a little shrug of his eyebrows to go along with his
pervy
smile.

“I’ll be back in a sec,” Leslie smiled, standing up from the table.

Well, here goes nothing
, Dani thought. She re-crossed her legs the other direction and then cast another
flirty
smile towards her admirer.
I hate myself right now
, she growled silently.

Ten
seconds later she heard, “Why hello there,” and a
very confident, very horny Italian stood at her side. “I must say, and I say this never,
that
you are the most beautiful w
oman I have ever laid eyes upon.
”

He reached for her hand to kiss it, and Dani forced a smile to keep down the vomit.

“Thank you, that’s very kind of you,” she replied softly, deliberately sugar coating it French-style.

“Oh my, French perfection right before my eyes.
I am Salvatore.”

“Danielle.”

“Danielle,” he repeated softly. “
Are you just visiting
from France
?”

Here goes
… “My job takes me all over, but I live in New York for the time being.”

“Oh?” He sat down in the chair that Leslie had
vacated
. “Please
,
tell me more.”

She smiled again. “I’m a model.”

“I knew it,” he practically purred.

“I’m in the United States for a little while—I’ll be heading over to Los Angeles next for Oscar’s runway show.
After that I return to Milan.”

His eyes got big. “You enjoy Italy?”

“I
love
Italy. The culture, the food, the people—”

“The men?” he smiled with another shrug of his eyebrows.

“I love Italian men,” she replied, giving him a toying smile. “
But I
’m sorry. I’m very particular. You see
,
I
prefer
men that…give of t
heir time in an honorable way. Service men, or m
en that have careers to…help others that are less fortunate.”

She took a drink of water so she didn’t have to see his mind working. Thankfully she didn’t have to pry any further when he divulged that he was “dedicated” to social work.

“You have a passion for helping children find better lives?” she said,
building
him up.

“Yes, yes,” he smiled big. “Those children,” he added with a frown, shaking his head. “They have no one to fight for them, you see?”

“Exactly.”

“And it is my job to make sure they get the best life they can, despite the circumstances.”

“That is so kind of you,” she cooed.

“Yes, well, it is a lot of hard work.”

“Of course it is,” she agreed. She purposely frowned, leaving a few seconds of silence.

“What makes you sad?” he inquired.

“Oh,” she sighed. “
I’ve been looking for a
friend that I met a few years ago.
She was in foster care—I felt so bad for her. I always wanted to do something for her, but I didn’t have the power to do
anything
. I really wish I knew where she was right now. I’ve tried, but nobody will help me.”

“Maybe you have not spoken to the most helpful people?”

She smiled, actually feeling true gratitude that he might possibly help her. “Do you know someone that would help me?” she
asked playfully
.