Fair Play

by Shay, Janna

  Julie clasped Dani’s hand. “Angry words are always slung back and forth in a fight. I’m sure it can still be fixed. You need to go to him and tell him you’re sorry.”

  The sob she was holding in escaped. “It can’t be fixed. Before I left, Jace told me to make sure this is what I wanted because if I walked away, we were finished.”

  Julie sat quietly for a few seconds as if to gather her thoughts. “I don’t believe that. If he said he was in love with you, then he wouldn’t be able to turn it off because of a few heated words. You have to try Dani. You aren’t going to let him go without a fight, are you?”

  Dani’s eyes shot up and gazed at Julie. “You’re right. What is the worst that can happen? He tells me to take a hike? I’m not going to lose anything more by trying.”

  Dani hugged Julie. “Thanks. You’re always there when I need you. I really appreciate it.”

  “That’s what friends are for.”

  “Can I ask for one favor?”

  “Sure ... anything.”

  “Can you be there to pick me up when I crash and burn?”

  Dani went out of her way to catch Jace alone so she could talk to him, but he wasn’t cooperating. She tried several times to see him in his office, but she was always given the excuse that he was in a meeting or not in. He wasn’t answering his cell phone and never returned her calls. She even tried knocking on his apartment door, but he was either gone or not answering. It was totally hopeless. She’d screwed up, big time, and now was paying the price.

  Dani’s feet were killing her, and the muscles in her face were sore from the smile she’d pasted on her face to insure her whales received courteous service, even though they’d been extraordinarily demanding and obnoxious for some reason. She was damn tired of fending off wandering hands and licentious remarks, her nerves were drawn tighter than a bow, and her life was in the dumps. And to top it off, she still hadn’t found an opportunity to talk to Jace. She was probably too late anyway. Hell, even if her past caught up with her and she was put in jail, at least the not knowing when she’d be caught would be over, and she’d be better off than where she was now. She shook her head. Things were so low now. How much worse could they get?

  She soon found out with agonizing clarity. While talking to Tom as she was having something to drink, she happened to spy Jace walking through the casino alone. Knowing this would probably be the only chance of finding him alone, she hurried to catch up with him.

  “Jace,” she called out, but he kept on walking. “Please, can I talk to you for a second?”

  Jace stopped and turned slowly toward her. In a cool voice devoid of emotion, he said, “I’m in a hurry, but if you have a question about work, I can only spare a minute.”

  The bottom dropped, and she spiraled down into the depths of desolation. Her eyes burned with tears, but she bit the inside of her mouth to stop them. “I wanted to say how sorry I am for everything, and ...”

  Jace interrupted before she could finish. “I don’t have time to talk about personal issues. So if that’s all you needed to say, I have to go.”

  Dani raised her arm to stop him, but let it drop when she saw the coldness in his eyes. She swallowed the knot stuck in her throat and raised her chin. “Actually, I wanted to give you notice that I’m quitting at the end of the week. I didn’t mean to bother you.” Not able to stop the tears anymore, she spun and walked quickly away.

  Dani’s heart fractured into a million pieces. She hurried to the elevator so no one would see the tears streaming down her face. When she reached the safety of her apartment, she cried until there was nothing left. Chills ran through her body as she recalled the cold indifference in Jace’s eyes. What had she expected? Did she really think he’d forget everything because she was sorry? Maybe it was better this way. He could go on with his life and she could go on with hers.

  The time had come to move on. It wasn’t the first city, nor would it be last, that she’d left behind in the last seven years. But it was the first place that had felt like a home since Chicago. What had she been thinking? She knew better than to attach herself to anyone or anything. Those luxuries were not destined for her.

  Friday would be her last day. By Saturday morning she’d be gone. If she hadn’t have asked Julie to help her give a birthday party for Jace, she would’ve left tonight. But she loved Julie too much to leave her high and dry. One of the hardest things she’d ever do would be to attend that party, but she owed it to both Jace and Julie.

  She carefully put on concealer to cover the signs of her tears, then went down to the casino. It was time to tell her best friend she was leaving.

  “Hi, Julie.” Dani couldn’t seem to keep the melancholy from seeping into her voice.

  Julie glanced at Dani. “Damn it!” She turned toward the other cashier. “I’m going on a break. I’ll be back.” She wrapped her fingers around Dani’s wrist and hauled her to the coffee shop. “If you tell me you crashed and burned, I swear I’m going to kick Jace’s ass from here to Sunday.”

  “No, it’s not his fault. I never told him.”

  “Why the hell not?”

  Dani placed her elbow on the table then rested her chin on her hand. “I tried to talk to him, but he was never available. When I finally spied him walking through the casino, I stopped him.” She raised her head and gazed at Julie while she swallowed several times to dislodge the lump in her throat. “He was only interested in talking about work. I was too late.”

  Julie reached across the table to place her hand over her best friend’s. “I’m sorry. I wish there was something I could do to help you.”

  Dani forced her lips to curl up in a half-smile. “You already have. Just being my friend is all the help I could ever hope for.” She reached up and wiped the tears that had trickled out. “If I live to be a hundred, I’ll never forget the frigid coldness I saw in his eyes when he looked at me.”

  She gave herself a mental shake and straightened her shoulders. “That’s not what I came to talk about. I wanted to tell you that I quit my job and Friday is my last day. I’ll be here to help you with Jace’s party, then I’m leaving Saturday morning. You’re the best friend I’ve ever had and I don’t want to lose you. I hope we can still keep in touch.”

  “You’re not leaving Vegas, are you?”

  Dani’s head bobbed up and down. “Yeah, I am. I don’t know where I’m moving to yet, but I’ll let you know as soon as I get there.”

  Julie scooted next to Dani. “I’m going to miss you. Is there anything I can do or say to make you change your mind?”

  “It’s better this way. Less chance of Jace and I running into each other.”

  Julie glanced at the clock on the wall. “Damn, I have to get back. I’ll come by your place after work tonight. Are you going to be home?”

  “I’ll be waiting.”

  Dani gave Julie a hug before walking away.

  Chapter 11

  For the past couple of days, Dani hadn’t been able to control her emotions. Just this morning she’d cried because she couldn’t find the matching shoe to her green heels. She had to get away. Every time she happened to catch a glimpse of Jace, he had the same coldness in his eyes. A coldness that froze her heart with icy fingers of disdain. She missed the warmth he brought to her life and everything about him. She could still see in her mind’s eye the twinkle in his gorgeous hazel eyes when he laughed, his devilish grin when he played around with her, and the amber fire that shot through his eyes when he was aroused.

  Her body shuddered as she recalled how exciting it felt to be held in his embrace and kissed until all she could think of was him. He made her body come alive with his hands and mouth, bringing her to heights she never knew were possible. She missed going to sleep with his strong arms enfolding her and his warm body nestled next to hers. But more than anything she missed waking up to his smile and the promise of another day with him.

  Dani sat down in the nearest chair of the casino as she felt the weakness
of sorrow penetrating her body. Her cell phone vibrated. She tapped her screen. A text from Julie.

  Come by n C me. Important I talk 2 U.

  She texted back.

  On my way. B there in 2.

  A couple minutes later she arrived at the counter. “Hey, Julie, you needed to talk to me?” She tried, but failed, to muster a smile for her best friend.

  “Damn. You look like death warmed over.” Julie leaned on the counter and examined Dani’s face. “You’ve been crying.”

  “I’m depressed, that’s all.”

  Julie turned and called out to her coworker. “I’m going on my break now. Be back in a few.” She grabbed Dani’s arm. “Come on.”

  Her best friend dragged her to a section of blackjack tables that were closed and sat her down.

  “Is there a problem with the party?” Dani asked.

  “That’s not why I needed to talk to you.” Her friend grasped her hand. “Hear me out before you say anything.” At Dani’s nod, she began. “You’re all wrong about Jace. He’s still in love with you. I’ve ...”

  Dani’s eyes opened wide and she squeezed her best friend’s hand. “How do you know? Did he tell you? Tell ...”

  Julie reached over and covered Dani’s mouth with her fingers. “Whoa, slow down. Let me finish.”

  “Sorry, go ahead.”

  “As I was saying. I’ve caught glimpses of Jace watching you when you’re not aware, and there definitely isn’t coldness in his eyes. I see a lot hurt, heat, and love. You must’ve done a number on him, because he isn’t the same person I know. He talked to me a couple of times and he’s miserable. And to answer your unspoken question, no he didn’t talk about you. I think he feels betrayed that you didn’t trust him enough to believe in him.”

  Dani reached up and wiped the tears that had slipped from her eyes. “I can’t blame him. I should’ve never been so faithless, but I don’t know how to fix it. He doesn’t show me any of things you saw, only that damn frigid ... ” She gasped when she spied Jace watching her. This time she glimpsed the flash of hurt in his eyes before he shuttered them with ice.

  Julie’s head swiveled to see what had caused her best friend to stop talking and fastened on Jace’s retreating back. “See what I mean? He watches you when you don’t know he’s there.”

  “Yes, and I also saw the pain. Help me, please. I need to find a way to get him back. I don’t care what I have to do, beg, plead, grovel, whatever it takes.”

  “Give me a minute to think.” Julie drummed her fingers on the table. “I think I know a way you can get him back. But you’re going to have to lay it all on the line. You’ll be leaving yourself open and vulnerable if he rejects you. Are you able to handle it if he pushes you away?”

  Dani’s heart started beating faster. “I’m willing to do anything to make this right. It can’t hurt anymore than it already does. Besides, I only have today and tomorrow, then I’ll be gone. Even if he rejects me, at least I gave it everything I could. What do I have to do?”

  “Here’s the plan. Tomorrow is his birthday, and you’re giving him that party at the club. Just to warn you, I’m sure Arlene will be there even though she wasn’t invited. The main thing is Jace will be there. He can’t hide from you, but he might give you the cold shoulder. He might even pretend to be interested in Arlene just to prove to you he doesn’t care anymore. Are you able to take that?”

  “Do I have any choice?”

  “I guess you’re right. You need to buy yourself some slinky my-body’s-yours-for-the-taking dress, and some spiky screw-me shoes. Doll yourself up with some sexy makeup and dab some perfume that’ll make him want you like crazy. You show up at the party, and let him know with your body that you’re his if he wants you. If he doesn’t bite, then he doesn’t want you anymore and nothing you do is going to make a difference. But if he walks around with his tongue hanging out, then he’s yours and you never lost him.”

  “Do you think that’ll work? What if he doesn’t notice me?”

  “Girl, you walk in looking like that, and he’ll notice you all right. So will every other man in the place, except Steve, of course. But you have to play hard to get. If he knows your intention is to get him back, he’s going to ignore you. He’s hurt and you’re going to have to make him jealous enough to talk to you. Once he does, you are going to have to beg, plead, and grovel for him to forgive you.”

  “Whatever it takes, I’m willing.”

  “There might be a chance it won’t work. He may talk to you but still not forgive you for not trusting him. You’re going to be vulnerable and it might break your heart. Are you able to take another blow and survive?”

  Dani clasped Julie’s hands. “Tomorrow is my last chance. It may be the last time that I ever see him. I have to try even if it destroys me. The one consolation is if he does reject me, he’ll never see the devastation it caused, because I’ll be gone.”

  “I don’t want to get your hopes up, but I don’t think he’s going to let you go. I saw the heat between you two. There’s no way that sizzle isn’t still hot.”

  Dani hugged Julie tight. “Thank you. I love you so much. I’m so lucky to have you as my best friend.”

  Julie cleared her throat. “Get going and find your killer outfit. I’ll pick you up at ten tomorrow.”

  “Okay, see you tomorrow.”

  Dani glanced at her watch, then left to go shopping. She had to make sure everything was perfect, because this was her only chance. Even if Jace didn’t want her anymore, she had to try to get his forgiveness.

  Chapter 12

  Dani was a nervous wreck. She took a leisurely bath, then dabbed on Jace’s favorite perfume. She laid her new lingerie on the bed, then put on her dress. She examined herself in the mirror carefully. Her eyes followed the plunging neckline of her black halter dress, and saw that it accented her full breasts. Swaying, she made sure it shimmied on her body like a caress, clinging to all her curves. She moved to check if the slit on the left side exposed enough leg to entice Jace into wanting to see the rest. She twisted as she studied the back, making sure it exposed her back to the waist in invitation to touch her skin. Satisfied she slipped into her stiletto heels, noticing that they completed the outfit. She carefully applied the kiss-me-red lipstick she’d bought to make her lips seem like they were begging for his kisses. Pulling her hair up loosely and pinning it to her head, she left a few strands around her face and neck to soften the look. She nodded, satisfied with her appearance.

  As she waited in the living room for Julie to arrive, doubts about what she was doing plagued her. She hoped this was the right thing. At 10:00 p.m., the doorbell rang.

  “What do you think?” She spun around to let Julie see the whole picture.

  Her friend whistled. “Girl, you’re one hot mama, and he’s toast.”

  Dani laughed. “Does it say enough for Jace to notice me?”

  “It’s not saying anything. It’s screaming ‘Take me if you dare.’ Let’s hope it doesn’t kill him in the process. One thing I do know, he’s going to be sniffing at your heels all night long.”

  She eyed Julie’s outfit. “You look fantastic yourself, kiddo. You trying to make a statement, too? I’m going to take a wild guess and say Steve is going to be there?”

  “Of course. You don’t think I dressed this way for you, do you?” Julie put her arm through Dani’s, then they went to the club.

  “Let’s go grab a drink, then find someone for you to dance with. You have to make Jace jealous enough to talk to you,” Julie explained.

  They spied Steve and a friend at the bar. “Perfect. You’re going to dance with Eddie, Steve’s friend.”

  “What if he doesn’t want to dance with me?”

  Julie rolled her eyes. “He’ll want to, believe me. But if he doesn’t, then someone else will.”

  Sure enough, a few minutes later Eddie approached her, a shy smile on his cherub face.

  “Would you like to dance?” Eddie asked as his eyes c
hecked her out.

  “Love to.” She grabbed his arm to go to the dance floor.

  Jace was upstairs at the VIP table when he saw Dani walk in with Julie. Damn, she looked sexy. He gave an inward groan. It was going to be a long night. His eyes followed her onto the dance floor. Possessiveness hit him, rattling his cool, as he watched her dance in another guy’s arms. He was going to be hard-pressed to act indifferent. Damn it! She hurt him when she doubted his fidelity. He had to keep his distance. He didn’t think he could take another blow like the one she’d dealt him when she walked out on him.

  The trouble was he wanted her. Not seeing Dani was killing him. Just the sight of her tonight heated his blood so much he could feel and taste her as if she was in his arms. His treacherous body began to stir as he recalled how crazy she could make him feel. He didn’t know how he was going to get through this party. All he could think about was tearing off that dress and making love to her until she begged him to stop. Those traitorous thoughts had to be avoided at all costs, or he was going to do something to embarrass them both.

  When the dance ended, Dani went to the bar to sip her drink.

  “Do you want to go up and say Happy Birthday to Jace?”

  “Yes.” She gulped her drink. “Let’s get it over with.”

  Julie hugged Steve. “We’re going upstairs to wish Jace Happy Birthday. You want to come with us?”

  “No, go ahead. I already did. Don’t stay too long cause I want to dance with you.”

  Julie gave Steve a quick peck on the lips. “You’re such a sweetheart. I’ll be back in a flash.”

  Julie turned to Dani. “Ready?”

  She took a deep breath for courage. “Ready as I’m ever going to be.”

  “Be careful there, Dolly. Don’t take too deep a breath, or you might spill out of that dress. You want him to want you, not have a seizure because you’re topless.”