Page 49 of Sexy Bad Escort

RONNIE

“Fuckwaffles.” Igasp as I claw my way up the bed to lean against the headboard. Myheart is racing, the pulse in my neck fluttering like it’s tryingto take flight. I can still hear their cherub-like voices as theysurrounded me like I’d become a cast member for theVillage of theDamned. Four childrenwith Danny’s blond hair had converged on me. Their Frost blue eyes,peering up at me from under bushy eyebrows as they chanted, “MammaFrost, Mamma Frost, we want waffles, please. Waffles. Please.Waffles. Please.”

At leastthey had manners.

With agroan I ease back down under the sheetand rub my belly as a sudden craving for wafflessmothered in maple syrup and ice cream sweeps over me. Such abizarre dream. No, nightmare. It was definitely anightmare!

Areal-life nightmare for my motherwhen my siblings and I were growing up. I have noidea how she handled it. Or how she keeps up with us all now. Icouldn’t. I’ve never wanted to. I’ve spent my entire adulthoodavoiding anything that would lead to my life being defined byrelationships or family. But Danny...these feelings I have for him,they’re making me crazy. One thing is for sure. I am no MammaFrost. I am nothing like the incredible woman my mother is. AllI’ve managed is to screw up royally, when all I wanted to do washelp Danny reconnect with his family.

I flopon my back and stare at the ceiling. How long has it been since Ihaven’t woken up to Danny? His kisses peppering my skin, and hishands roaming in a way that could make even the mosthardened night owl a fan ofearly mornings.

It’sbeenonly hours since wefought, if I can even call it that. He’d tried to explain himself,and all I could think was that I couldn’t fix it. I can’t make himsee himself the way I see him. And my efforts to help madeeverything worse.

I’venever had a boyfriendbefore. I’ve never cared about the men I dated like I do aboutDanny. Perhaps I should tell him that, explain how much he means tome.

My phonerings, and I pounce on it, bringing it to my earwithout checking thecaller ID. “Hey, I’m so glad you called.”

“Goodmorning,love,” mymother sings. “Why don’t you greet me like that moreoften?”

“Um.”I expectedDanny’s voice, so hearing my mother throws me for aloop.

“I justwanted to make sure you and Danny were coming tonight,” she says.

“Tonight?” Iclose my eyes and try to recall what I agreed to.

“Familydinner at Paynter’s, remember? We’re going to celebrate Danny’s new job.” Her voicewavers. “He still has it, doesn’t he?”

“Yes,Mom.” Ipinch the bridge of my nose. He has a client this morning. Somebrunch thing. I can’t recall the particulars.

“I wouldn’twant to embarrass him if he decided to go in anotherdirection.”

“He still hasthe job, Mom.”

“Good.Great. We’re meeting atPaynter’s at six. You don’t need to bring anything. I’ve organizedeverything.”

“I-I’mnot sure.” I’m not certain after last night that an evening with myfamily is a good idea. I have to see Danny, talk to himfirst.

“Sixo’clock.I’ll see you then.” She hangs up on me before I can get anotherword in.

***

Danny’sdeep in conversation with Erin. His elbows propped on the railing,he nurses a beer in one hand. Hecracks a grin and takes a swig as though he’scompletely at ease.

IwishI could do that. Wehaven’t had a chance to talk since last night. Danny hadback-to-back clients, which is great for business. I’m proud ofRent-A-Danny and what we’ve managed to achieve in such a short timeframe. It might not be Rent-A-Ronnie, and I’m thankful it isn’t,quite honestly, but this business we’ve built actually feels likean accomplishment in the way that working for Pascal Design neverdid. It’s nerve-wracking, actually. I’m realizing the goal I’ve hadfor so long, and ideas I never expected to entertain, like fallingfor Danny, are growing on me.

His gazecatches mine as I step out onto the deck, apologetic and a little sad. I move toward him,but this isn’t the place to rehash last night, and besides, I’mstill not sure what I’m going to say.

His gazetracks me as I veertoward the table where James, Garrett, and my parents are chattingover wine and beer. I swipe my clammy palms down the sides of myshorts and slide into the seat next to Garrett.

On thelawn below, my niece is sitting cross-legged, the cat in her lap, while the duck andgoat chase each other around and around. It’s as amusing as always,but my heart kicks up a notch at the recollection of this morning’snightmare.

“Imissed you today,” Danny says into my ear as he puts his drink on the table and slipsinto the seat beside mine. Erin sits on Garrett’s other side. “Itfelt weird to wake up alone.”

It did,didn’t it?

“You’reworking now?” Garrett asks around me. “Does this mean you’re goingto start paying rent?”

Dannyshrugs. “You golf. Are you going to start giving me lessons?”

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