Rachel smiled, lips tight, ending the discussion. She stopped by Danny and I, en route to the restroom to escape.
“How’s Barbie and Ken?” Rachel greeted us cheerfully. “What took you so long?”
“Ken needed to decompress,” I answered.
“Decompress?”
“Danny needed an attitude adjustment, so we adjusted it.”
Rachel snickered. “You went back to the dorm, didn’t you?”
“No, we didn’t,” Danny responded.
“C’mon. I can tell. Elizabeth can’t fool me.” I flushed scarlet. “See. I’m so right!”
“You’re wrong, Rach. If we’d gone back to the dorm, we’d still be there.”
“We sure would be. Can we go soon?” I kissed Danny for emphasis.
“In a little, babe.”
“I didn’t ask before, but what’s with Barbie and Ken?”
“We are not plastic dolls,” I responded, and I frowned.
“I meant the clothes.”
“I love that dress on Eli. I wanted her to wear it again.”
“That is a great dress,” a nearby girl chimed in. “Didn’t I see that in “People”?”
“Thank you. Yes, you did,” I answered pleasantly.
Danny grinned. “Why don’t you wear dresses more often? I love your legs.”
Danny had a point. I did prefer wearing skirts, but denim was the uniform at Donnelly.
The same girl stared, waiting for a chance to enter our conversation.
“Come with me to the restroom,” Rachel said in an attempt to rescue me.
“I’ll be right back.” I kissed Danny’s cheek and hopped off his lap.
“Hey,” he said. Danny reached for my face and kissed me. “Don’t be long, baby.”
Danny’s kiss left me nearly swooning, and I left with Rachel who rolled her eyes.
“You guys are disgusting tonight,” she said.
“We can’t help it if we’re in love.”
Rachel sighed. Did she know the fun I was having with her?
I followed Rachel into the restroom.
“I’m so sick of these people,” Rachel ranted. “Either they’re the biggest idiots or they think I am. They’re so obvious. They think by being nice to me they’ll become friends with you and Danny. I hate it!”
“Calm down, Rach. I’m sorry we put you through that. They are stupid if they think you don’t read right through them. There’s only one thing Danny and I can do.”
“What’s that?”
“Danny and I will stop being your friends.”
“Perfect!” And Rachel and I burst into laughter.
“So you and Danny didn’t go back to Berkeley? That’s hard to believe.”
“Well, believe it,” I answered. “Danny was feeling down after the screening. He’s been under a lot more pressure than you know. Danny fears everyone’s waiting for him to fail. If he wasn’t strong, he could have had a breakdown.”
“He didn’t say that, but Danny has been crazed lately,” Rachel answered pensively. “It must be hell to follow your father when he’s a legend.”
“Exactly. That’s why Danny needed to decompress.”
“Decompress. That’s a euphemism I haven’t heard before.”
“C’mon Rach. That wasn’t what Danny meant.”
“Maybe,” she smirked, “But you can’t keep secrets from me young lady.”
Rachel raised an eyebrow, and I blushed.
“Let’s just say that I’m a very nice girlfriend who is rightfully loved by her boyfriend and leave it at that.”
CHAPTER 93 - DANIEL
There she was! I grabbed Eli’s hand and pulled her back on to my lap.
“What took so long, babe?” My lips nearly touching her ear made Elizabeth shiver.
“There was a line.”
“I’m tired of sitting. Let’s dance.”
Gleeful, Eli bounced off my thighs. I took her hand and led her to the dance floor. A slow song played. I found that very agreeable; any excuse to touch her.
I placed one hand on Eli’s back and clasped her delicate hand. Soft and warm with a light floral scent wafting off her hair, she was magic.
Eli placed her other hand on my shoulder. Her feather light touch melted me. A lovely smile lit her face so brightly I basked in her glow. I removed my hand from her back and carefully spun her to the beat. Then she stumbled.
Eli smiled at her unexpected lack of grace executing a move that should have been perfunctory given her dance training. Another spin, another stumble. Eli shrugged, and then giggled. Oh, hell! I was responsible for her wearing those shoes. I certainly didn’t want her re-injuring her ankle. One final spin and Eli was safe in my arms again.
I relished holding her, my hands circling her slender waist. Eli locked her hands behind my neck and leaned against me, scattering auburn waves to the beat of the music.
Eli was the picture of perfect contentment. I couldn’t help smiling at my beautiful lady, so proud that it was me who made her this happy.
Sparkling emerald eyes enchanted me when she tilted her head up. Those full pink lips, slightly parted, bewitched me. Knowing how sweet they tasted, I had no choice but to kiss them.
“Can we go home?” Elizabeth whispered.
I smirked. I knew what she wanted. Anyone looking into her adoring eyes would know. It was unmistakable. I would play with Elizabeth a while longer. I enjoyed watching my usually controlled girl on the verge of losing it.
“Please, Daniel,” Elizabeth begged. “I’m tired of being in public,”
I wanted her to ask for it. It was fun forcing Eli from her comfort zone. She spent too much time there.
“A few more minutes.” If I could last that long.
Eli reached up to kiss me but I reacted first. I leaned down and trailed kisses from Eli’s neck to her shoulder. She shivered and tightened her grip. Eli turned her head slightly to the side so I could kiss her neck and shoulder again. Her eyes were slits of ecstasy.
Eli abruptly reached her hands back around my neck.
“Kiss me like you’re madly in love,” she whispered.
“I am madly in love,” I whispered back.
“Please, show it,” Eli urged. “Those awful girls from The Village just arrived.”
Shit! Amelia and Phoebe. Double shit!
“Why are they watching us? It’s been over four months already!” Elizabeth complained. “Don’t they get that we’re not breaking up?”
“It still bothers you, doesn’t it?” I asked uncomfortably, but at the same time relieved that Elizabeth only knew about January.
“No.” My raised eyebrow signaled doubt. “Well, maybe sometimes. Only a little.” Eli sighed. “Okay. A lot, when I’m forced to think about it.”
“Elizabeth,” I locked on her emerald eyes, “Lay it to rest, baby. It’s not part of our lives. You’re the only woman I’ve ever loved.”
I took Eli’s upturned face and crushed our lips together. My arms around her back, I held her as close as possible. My hand wandered down her back and squeezed her shapely bottom. I wanted Eli back in the mood.
“Danny, we’re in public!” Elizabeth squealed. Too bad! That ass belonged to me.
“Not for long, Eli. Let’s go.”
We walked off the dance floor wrapped around each other and ran right into Amelia, Phoebe and Jasmine. I prayed we would safely leave The Cellar.
“Dan,” Phoebe greeted me curtly.
“Ladies,” I greeted them breezily. Eli said nothing.
“So, she’s recovered from the flu, I see,” Amelia sneered.
“How do you …?” Eli began, a puzzled expression on her face.
“It’s amazing what a few days in the infirmary can do,” I answered, effectively cutting Eli off. Amelia and Phoebe scowled.
Elizabeth quickly recovered her composure. Remembering which team she was on, Eli smiled at me with adoring eyes.
“It was the exemplary home care that reall
y made the difference,” she said and squeezed my waist. Then Eli kissed my cheek.
“And that’s exactly where we’re going. Mrs. Newman needs more home care. Later, ladies,” We left the three girls dumbfounded, with jaws dropped open.
CHAPTER 94 - DANIEL
Cartons surrounded me. Taking a break from studying, I was filing out Fedex waybills. Two more and I’d be done. Having spent the last two weeks writing papers and take-home exams, I was burned-out. I had earned a couple of hours off.
Elizabeth was taking her French final. She wouldn’t be back for another hour. We were flying home in two days. I needed to call Mom and inform her of my important decision.
Mom was probably sleeping, but she wouldn’t mind. Mom had always made it clear that I could call her anytime. Eli too.
“What’s wrong?” Mom was awake and eating breakfast as she answered.
“Nothing,” I assured her. “Eli is taking a final, so it’s a good time to talk.”
“What don’t you want Elizabeth to know, Daniel?” Mom asked suspiciously.
“Mom!”
“You said Elizabeth wasn’t there. Danny, you’re hiding something.”
I laughed at her analysis. Mom was right, of course. Then I explained my plans.
“Whatever you need, count me in,” Mom enthusiastically replied.
“And Mom, I want to visit Grandma. I haven’t seen her in so long. I miss her.”
“Mother will love it! Did you call her?”
“Not yet. I will later. I’m going to bring Eli. Grandma knows Eli, right?”
“Mother last saw Elizabeth at your bar mitzvah.”
“That’s what I thought. Grandma will love Eli.”
“Daniel, my mother’s going to immediately ask me when the wedding is.”
“C’mon, Mom. She won’t do that.”
“Danny, Dad didn’t meet Mother until I had no choice because she learned I was sharing a studio apartment with someone named Steven, not Stephanie.”
“You told Grandma Dad was named Stephanie!” I laughed, picturing a long-haired Dad wearing a dress.
“For about a month,” Mom confessed. “Then guilt took hold, and I had no choice but to bring Dad home if I wanted Grandpa to continue paying my share of the rent.”
“We all know Eli’s name is really Elizabeth, so that shouldn’t be a problem.”
“Does this mean you’re completely committed to Elizabeth now? I want honesty, Daniel.”
“I love Eli.”
“And she loves you. Tell me something I don’t know, Danny.”
Why was Mom doing this? Because she knew as well as I did that I could never lie to her.
“Danny, have you cheated on Elizabeth again?” Mom asked bluntly.
The question I was dreading. I couldn’t skirt a direct question from Mom.
“It would break Eli’s heart if she found out.”
“Oh, Danny!” Mom was crestfallen. I hated doing this to her.
“You’re disappointed,“ I said flatly.
“I am. I thought you’d finally grown up and understood what love meant. Every time I talk to you it’s Elizabeth this and Elizabeth that. And when I talk to her, it’s all about you.”
“I love Eli. She’s the most important person in my life.”
“Daniel? This is how you treat the most important person in your life?”
“It’s only happened a couple of times, Mom. Eli wasn’t around and I was wasted.” I doubted that made it any better.
“Being wasted is not an excuse,” she scolded. “Danny, you’re certain Elizabeth hasn’t found out?”
“I’m certain, Mom. I’d be missing important body parts if she did.”
“Florida?” she asked.
“Yeah, Florida,” I answered sheepishly. That all I would admit.
“Danny, why are you cheating on the woman you say you love? Elizabeth will find out. Then she’ll be devastated and you’ll be alone.”
“I fear that every day, but I’ve never made her promises.”
“Daniel, you’re living with her. I’m sure Elizabeth’s made certain assumptions.”
“Eli knows I don’t want to be like Dad.”
“What does that mean, Daniel?” Mom’s measured voice was rising.
“I’m sorry, Mom. I don’t want to hurt you,” I said apologetically.
“I’m tougher than you think. I live with Steven Newman.”
“Mom, I’m sure you love Dad. So do I. But he hasn’t always been a good husband.”
“Danny.”
“Mom, I love you. Don’t make me talk about Dad,” I pleaded.
“Aren’t you though? It still hurts. It hurts even more knowing that you know.”
“And it’s been years. I don’t want to wake up in fifteen years when I have my own kids and wonder what dating other women would have been like. That would crush Eli. She knows when I tell her I’m ready to settle down it will be for real. Eli won’t ever have cause to doubt.”
“I love you Danny, but you’re naïve.”
“I don’t think so. Mom, I know this sounds weird, but it’s been good for me. I get completely disgusted with myself. By then of course I’m sober and I wonder what the hell I’ve done. I hate myself for betraying Eli.”
“I’m glad you have a conscious. At least I haven’t totally failed you.”
“Mom, you haven’t failed me.”
I knew at some point Jewish guilt would enter the picture.
“There’s nobody like Eli. No other girl comes close.”
“Remember that Danny, because you’re right. No one can compare to Elizabeth. I had no idea Dad had damaged you to this degree. I tried so hard to insulate you…”
“Yeah.” I was quiet, contemplating.
“Remember Danny, you aren’t Dad. When he was younger, this wouldn’t have been a dilemma for him. Dad plows straight ahead, never considering the potential damage. He’s cocky, arrogant and always willing to take the biggest risks. That’s how Dad became Dad. He never doubts himself.”
“You’re such opposites.”
“Imagine if we weren’t,” Mom laughed.
“It would be non-stop mania.”
“Steven is the only man I’ve ever loved, but I’m glad you’re not like him. You don’t need to be like him, Danny. You’re a much more sensitive man. That’s why Elizabeth loves you and why you’re emotionally torn.”
A half-hour later we were still talking. I can discuss anything with Mom. If we spoke more often, perhaps I wouldn’t get into the messes I found myself in. Maybe I didn’t speak to her more often because I wanted to get into these messes.
I gave Mom a list of things I wanted at the beach house when Eli and I arrived.
“She’ll love this!” Mom exclaimed. “How did I get such a romantic son?”
“Too many Miranda Jordan movies?” I laughed. “I want everything perfect for Elizabeth. It’s important I make our time in Malibu special.” I meant this wholeheartedly. I wanted it special for me too.
“Danny, when Graciela cleans the house tomorrow, I’ll have her move my things and Dad’s to another bedroom. You take the master.”
“Mom, that’s your bedroom and Dad’s.” Her generous offer was completely unexpected.
“We’re rarely there. If you want the week to be special, then you’ll want to wake up in the one bedroom with a full ocean view.”
Mom’s suggestion, so full of love, touched me. I smiled, picturing Eli waking and standing out on the balcony.
“Now who’s the romantic?” I laughed. “Thank you. Eli will love it.”
CHAPTER 95 - ELIZABETH
Wednesday morning, after an endless night of parties, Danny and I clasped tired hands as the 767 smoothly lifted off into the clear New York skies.
After the flight attendant took our drink order I rose to get my iPad from the overhead compartment. Before I could do so, Danny grabbed my wrist and gently pulled me back to my seat.
I glanced at him
, puzzled. “What’s up?” I asked.
Danny smiled uncomfortably. He slid his fingers down my wrist to my hand. His other hand touched my cheek, light and feathery and Danny kissed my lips.
“I’ve changed our itinerary,” he said.
That explained his uneasy edge. Danny was afraid I wouldn’t like the new plan.
“What change?” I asked warily. I would only be disappointed if Danny eliminated our stay in Malibu.
“We’ll stop to get my car, and then go to the beach,” Danny explained. “Saturday we’ll leave for Rancho Mirage and visit Grandma until Monday. I haven’t seen her in over a year.”
“Grandma? We’re visiting Naomi?” Yikes!
CHAPTER 96 - ELIZABETH
The limousine sat waiting in the guest parking space when we arrived in Malibu. After garaging the Porsche, we met the driver at the entrance and he brought our luggage in. Once he drove off, Danny opened the door. With a devilish grin, he scooped me into his arms and carried me inside
“Welcome home, Sweetheart.”
“Danny!” I laughed. “What are you doing?”
“Carrying you over the threshold of our first home.”
“Our what? Steve and Ellen gave you the house?” With the Newmans, it was plausible, and I was fuzzy-headed enough from lack of sleep to have missed something.
Danny finally set me down near the glass patio doors. In the distance the ocean was choppy with breaking whitecaps.
Danny‘s hands circled my waist. He kissed my neck. “Not yet, but they will.”
“Danny, you asked them?” I was outraged.
“I won’t have to. My parents are never here. They’ll see how happy we are and they’ll give it to us.”
Out of the corner of my eyes I spotted a vase of stunningly beautiful red roses. There must have been at least two-dozen in all.
“Those are gorgeous,” I gasped.
“Not as gorgeous as the girl I bought them for.” Danny beamed with pride. “I want you to feel at home.”
“Danny, you’ve succeeded,” I squealed.
Danny gave me a warm welcome home kiss. “Let’s go upstairs.”
Then he took my hand, but let me lead us up to the second floor. At the top of the stairs, I headed to the left and Danny tugged me to the right.
“This way,” he smiled.
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