That’d been met with silent incredulous disbelief, alleviated only when she’d said she needed to prep herself for the trial, and that she needed solitude to focus on her arguments this time since the opposing team was so good. That seemed to make sense and calm everyone down.
They didn’t need to know that she was taking Didier’s suggestion and hoping for a weekend of sex.
She looked around, waving to Ennio, who blew her a kiss. “Did you give my name when you got here?”
“No. Why?”
“Just wondering.” Ennio only seated special people at this table. It was a bit removed from the rest of the room. But she just shrugged it off to chance and lifted her wineglass. “To the weekend.”
Danny picked up his and clinked it against hers. “To us.”
Us. She sipped the rich wine. “I’ve never been an ‘us’ before,” she admitted.
“Neither have I.” He took her hand. “It’s a night of firsts. I’ve never had authentic deep-dish pizza either.”
She smiled. “It’s excellent here. Louisa and Connor brought me here the first time, years ago. They’re who we’re having dinner with tomorrow.”
“Tell me about Louisa and Connor,” he said, leaning forward, his attention completely on her.
“I told you about them a little last night. Louisa is the woman who runs the homeless shelter I went to.” She told him an abbreviated version of the story, including how her mother had died on the streets, a junkie, and how Louisa and Connor had taken her into their own home.
He listened with a faint frown marring his forehead, his hand cradling hers. When she finished, he said, “They saved your life. I can’t wait to meet them.”
“They’re my family,” she replied simply.
He nodded. “I have Ortiz, my best friend since grade school. Ortiz was there for everything I’ve ever done. My mom’s a heart surgeon, so she had an excuse for not being around, but in the end it amounts to the same thing, doesn’t it?”
“Sweetie, it’s been so long,” Ennio said, swooping down upon them, dropping a kiss on top of her head. “I should have known Daniel Osei would be with you.”
She arched her brow at Danny. Daniel Osei?
He sighed, his gaze saying he’d explain that later. “Ennio’s son is a fan of mine,” he said modestly.
“He’s going to sign something for my Benny.” Ennio grinned proudly, putting his hand on Danny’s shoulder. “It’s very nice of him. You want the special? It’s got meat, just the way you like it.”
She looked at Danny.
He grinned. “You’re speaking my language. You can’t get a properly loaded pizza in Europe.”
Ennio patted Danny’s shoulder. “I’ll take care of you, don’t you worry. Just like you’re taking care of my girl here, right?”
“Right,” Danny said with conviction.
She arched her brow. “I need taking care of?” she asked after Ennio bustled away.
Putting his elbow on the table, he leaned toward her, lowering his voice. “You don’t, but I’m hoping you’ll humor me and let me try.”
She leaned in too. “Depends on what you’re proposing.”
His grin was wicked, full of erotic promise. “I think I can make you an offer you won’t be able to refuse. But not here, because I won’t be able to keep my hands to myself, and I don’t want Ennio to threaten to take me out back.”
She laughed. “I don’t know. He seemed to think you were hot shit.”
“Iamhot shit,” he said with a grin.
“You’re that well known?”
He shrugged, picking up his wine. “In Europe it’s worse. Here, for the most part, I can walk around without being mobbed or asked for selfies.”