SecondSightDating (6 page)

“Well, Romeo, you’ll just have to come up with a case of the
jitters about meeting your date.
Get her maternal instincts to kick in.
Smile
and tell her you need to discuss your upcoming date.”

Jumping up from his chair, Dan paced the room.
“Shit.
I’ll sound like a wimpy loser.
Should I ask her to help me pick out what
to wear?
Stutter a little?
Seek advice on table manners?”

“Hmm.
Might be a way to get you through her door a few more
times.”

“This is nuts.
She can’t be involved in this.
I just know
it.”

“Oh?
You psychic now, too?
Wanna read my palm or something?”

Dan’s fists curled at his sides in frustration.
His only
answer came in the form of a calculated glare aimed in his friend’s direction.

Steve quickly held up his hand in a “stop” motion and
grinned.
“Just kidding.
We did get some more background stuff on her.
Serena
Xavier lives in Overland Park.
Nothing fancy.
Decent apartment complex.
Pays
her taxes on time.
Drives a four-year-old Honda Accord.
Pays her bills, no
negatives in credit rating.
In short, a model citizen who doesn’t appear to be
making tons of money.”

“So she doesn’t make tons of money from this.
Maybe the
mob’s making her take a measly cut.”

Steve rocked back in his chair.
“Or she’s good at hiding the
dough.”

“Fine.” Dan rose from his seat, stretching the aches from
his muscles.
“Anything else I should know before I call her and make a fool of
myself?”

“Yeah, there is.
You’ll love this.
Her brother’s a cop in
Wichita.
We’ll have to be extra cautious about any inquiries about you from
outside PDs or cops, especially anyone named Michael Xavier.”

Chapter Five

Serena played her office answering machine as soon as she
arrived for work the next day.
She froze at the sound of Dan’s voice on her
very first message.

He’d asked her to contact him about their dinner that night.
Was he getting cold feet…a nerd unsure of his capabilities in attracting
someone?

Then again, maybe he didn’t want to meet the women she’d
envisioned for him.
Perhaps Dan, the womanizer, figured they wouldn’t live up
to the monetary caliber he sought so he wanted to try greener pastures.

She forced herself to listen to her next two messages,
neither of significant value, then got out Dan’s file.
Her fingers slid over
the form, hoping to feel some type of vibration, good or bad, from something
he’d touched.

Nothing.

With a sigh, she dropped into her chair.
It was time to
read, really read, each and every word he’d written.
And, speculate on all the
meanings between the lines.
Surely she could let her instincts lead the way and
come up with something.
There had to be more to Dan Reese that led to such
uneasiness in her gift.

First, however, she’d call him and discover the basis for
his urgent message.
She dialed his number and waited.

“Dan Reese.”

“This is Serena Sight.
You called?”

“I, well, I hate to bother you but I’m a little nervous
about tonight’s meeting.”

Him?
Why?
Handsome, shy guy, totally lacking dating skills
with women?
Could be.
Charming con artist seeking sympathy while trying to take
advantage of her business?
A possibility.

“There’s nothing to worry about.
I’ll be there with my date,
too.”

“Would you have some time today to maybe go over a few
things I might say to my date?
I mean, she’s so beautiful and I, well, I don’t
know what to say.”

Picturing a tongue-tied Dan around women never crossed her
mind.
Sure couldn’t tell by the way he openly talked to her.
Maybe he just
panicked around blondes, busty ones at that?

“You want to practice things to say to her?”

“That would be great, if you don’t mind helping me.”

“No.
I mean, of course not.
Why don’t you come by at
five-thirty?
We can go over a few things before going to the restaurant.”

“That makes me feel so much better.
You’re an angel.
See you
later.”

Serena held the phone away from her ear, wondering which Mr.
“Four-eighteen” she’d just promised to give flirting lessons to.
Mr.
“Too good
to believe” or Mr.
“Wiseguy playing a game”.

She glanced at the clock.
Only eight hours until one of them
showed up.

“Satisfied?
She thinks I’m some loser she has to tutor on
how to speak to a woman.” Dan was none too pleased with his boss.

“Sorry, friend.
Had to be this way.
Get in
there and act the part.
Maybe she’ll give you some time alone in the office and
you can check through her files.
At least learn more about how the business is
run.”

“Yeah, well, I’ll have to leave from there for dinner.
Maybe
she and I will drive to the restaurant together.
Wouldn’t make much sense for
us both to take our cars and then have to drive back past her office to get
home.”

“Whatever it takes, Dan.
Whatever it takes.”

* * * * *

“Am I too early?”

Dan stood in her doorway, almost whispering his question to
Serena.

She glanced at him, then her clock and then back to him
again.
“Oh, sorry.
You’re right on time.
I was busy, uh, sorting through some
files.
Come in.”

He walked in and sat on her couch.
“I appreciate your
helping me out.
I get shy around beautiful women.”

Serena leveled a disbelieving look at him.
“You don’t seem
to have a problem talking to me.
Do I assume that means you’re not shy with me
because I’m not what you consider beautiful?”

Surprise registered on his face as his mouth opened and no
words came out.
She’d put him on the spot…on purpose.
Now maybe the real Dan
Reese would appear.

“Well?” She crossed her arms and walked over to the sofa
where he sat.
“I’m waiting for what should be a fascinating answer.”

His mouth closed and he ran his finger along the inside of
his collar.
Was the man speechless, desperate to create an excuse he figured
she’d fall for?

“You are beautiful.
But you’re helping me find a date.
I can
talk to you because I don’t get panicky thinking I have to impress you.” His
eyes pleaded his case along with his explanation.

“Hmm.
You only panic if you try too hard, is that what you’re
saying?”

“Yes.
Yes, that’s it.
You don’t scare me.”

With a shrug of resignation, Serena planted herself on the
sofa and resolved to play out the scenario his way…for the time being.
“Glad to
hear I pose no threat to you.
Fine.
Let’s practice for tonight.”

They sat a few inches apart.
She couldn’t ignore the
prickling sensation warming her body along her side closest to Dan.
The man
made her system dance, even without touching her.

“So, should I start out with some kind of pickup line?
Do
women want that?”

Serena couldn’t stop the arching of her eyebrows as
disbelief paraded through her head.
Could Dan really be so dense and
inexperienced?
Left to his judgment and obvious made-for-failure guidelines,
he’d actually resort to a stupid, overused line, something all women hated.
Warning bells would immediately sound the alarm inside the head of his intended
target, accompanied by a flashing message titled “Time to lose this creep”.
Miss “S” would seek a speedy escape.

“Hmm.
I don’t think you want to use any line.
You should
just relax and be yourself.” Whoever that is.
“Start with something honest like
your name, or, compliment her on how she looks.”

Dan fidgeted in his seat.
“How about something like this.”
He gently took her hand in his.
The letters started rolling in her head, but in
a slow, flowing pattern.
“Hi.
I’m Dan.
You look wonderful.”

Her eyes focused on his.
In reality, his eyes commanded her
full attention in a mesmerizing way.
Serena had to admit that his comment
sounded sincere.
Maybe he understood how important it was to ease into
conversation with a date and make her feel special.
She sure did, even if his
practicing on her wasn’t real.

“Thank you.
I’m Serena.
You look just like your picture.”

Dan inhaled then spoke.
“You too.
And, you smell great.
Reminds me of something my grandmother always wears.
White Roses, right?”

Again, she couldn’t halt her eyebrows rising or mouth
opening, minus any words.
Shaking her head, Serena wondered if he’d ever tried
the grandmother comment before.
He knew what White Roses smelled like?

“The, uh, remark about the perfume is fine, but lose the
comparison to your grandmother.
Women don’t like to be compared to anyone.
We
like to feel unique, different, special.”

A contrite look came over his face.
“Oh, sorry.
I love my grandmother and thought this would be a compliment.
See how bad I am?
Now you know why I need your help.”

Serena stood up abruptly and began to pace, trying to break
the spell he cast over her.
She needed distance to clear her head and stay
focused on her job.

“Look.
Talk about the things you have in common.
You read
her file.
You know what she likes.
Tell her what you like but don’t leave her
out of the conversation.
Ask her opinions on things.”

He ran a hand over his face.
“Wow.
So much to remember.
Promise
me you’ll stick close tonight.
I don’t want to come off like an idiot.
If I say
something stupid, give me a signal.”

Serena abruptly ended her back and forth movement across the
carpet to face him.
With her hands on her hips, she replied, “Like what?
Blink
twice?
Wrinkle my nose?”

“No.
Make sure you sit next to me so you can tap my knee or
something.”

Oh, no.
Touching him anywhere on his body is a definite
no-no.

Still not sure if he was on the level with her or if this
was some type of game, she offered, “How about if I step on your toes?”

Dan patted a spot on the sofa next to him.
“Please sit down
again and let’s practice.”

Hesitant to sit near him again but finding no logical reason
to deny his request, she dropped into the cushioned seat next to him.
“All
right.
I’m sitting.
Say something stupid.”

Dan flashed her a huge smile, showing off that one
fascinating dimple she’d admired when she’d first met him.
“Tell me your secret
fantasy and I’ll tell you mine.”

His comment, made in such a sexy, suggestive tone, had
Serena’s body blazing with heat.
Let’s run this line of conversation a little
further.
At least, that’s what her heart said even if her head shouted for her
to smash his toes.

Serena gave him a questionable look.
“Is that a promise?”

“What?”

“If I tell you mine, you’ll tell me yours?”

“Absolutely.”

“Fine.
I’ve always wanted to make love in a bubbly tub for
two, complete with champagne and glowing candles.”

Dan’s arm snaked around her back and pulled her closer to
him.
“Funny.
That’s my fantasy, too.”

The spell broke the minute he uttered his agreement.
He’d
been playing and not serious about being honest.
She stomped down on his toes.

“Ow!”

Warmth crept up her face.
“Sorry.
Was that too hard?”

He stood, hobbling around the room, only stopping to shake
his foot.
“What the hell did I say wrong?”

“For starters, it’s probably a bit too soon to ask about
fantasies, although I don’t know how fast you usually come on to your dates.”

He halted and stared at her.
“I never rush a woman into
anything, if that’s what you mean.”

“Okay.
You want to take things slowly.
And, you weren’t
being honest with me.”

“In what way?”

“Please.
Don’t tell me your fantasy just happens to be the
same as mine.”

His gaze became more intense as he answered.
“But it is.
I
wouldn’t lie about that.
Not to you.”

“Dan, it sounds phony.
I’d suggest not trying that tonight.”

“Fine.
I won’t.
But do you believe me when I say it’s not a
line?
What do your vibrations tell you?
Do they say I’m being honest?”

Damn.
Every sensation emanating from him screamed with
honesty.
Could he really have the same fantasy she did?

“Maybe you are being honest.” She cleared her throat.
“Let’s
move on.
Talk about something else.”

Dan eyed her with caution.
“When I sit down again, do you
promise not to break my toes if I screw up?”

Irritated, Serena answered, “Of course.”

For the next twenty minutes, they talked and very few of his
answers initiated a negative response from her.
Trying to appear more
accommodating, Serena raked a fingernail on his leg if his comment seemed out
of place.
The movement caught his attention and he’d quickly change the topic.
The gesture sent shivers throughout her body, causing her heart to beat faster
at their contact.