Bad Things(22)

Danika gave me a mischievous smile as we slid onto the cushioned VIP bench.

“So where did you learn to cook like that?” she asked. “Those were the best enchiladas I’ve ever had, and enchiladas are one of my favorites.”

I smiled, thinking of my mother. “My mother taught me to cook. You should try her enchiladas. They put mine to shame, especially since I was missing some of the ingredients for pico on top.”

“Does she live here in Vegas?”

“Yes. In fact, I’m due for a family dinner soon, and I’m going to make you come with me.”

Her eyes widened. “You want me to meet your parents?”

My face stiffened a little, but I didn’t let it show. It couldn’t be a sore subject if I didn’t allow it to be.

“I want you to meet my mother. I’ve never met my father. He left the second my mother told him she was pregnant. Never bothered to look him up.”

She nodded, her eyes searching my face. She swallowed. “We’re in the same boat, my friend. I’ve not a clue who my father is. My mother would never tell me a thing about him.”

I blinked, a little taken aback. It was selfish, but I felt comforted by the thought that she and I had both experienced something so painful. It made me feel less alone, and so connected to her in ways I couldn’t remember being connected to anyone besides family since I could remember.

“No wonder we get along so well,” I finally responded. “We have more in common than we’d realized. Is your mother in Vegas, too?”

She shrugged, one side of her mouth jerking down. “I’m not exactly sure. She and I never really got along. We don’t keep in touch.”

I’d learned my lesson when I’d asked her about her sister, so I didn’t ask her why on earth she didn’t know where her mother was, though I was curious as hell about it.

“So what’s a good day for you to come meet my mother?”

She smiled, the clouds in her silver eyes clearing. “So you’re not asking, but telling me, that I’m going to meet your mother?”

I gave her a rueful smile. “I’m letting you pick the day, at least. You have nothing to worry about. You two are going to love each other.”

“If she’s anything like you and Jared, I can’t imagine we won’t get along.”

That brought my mind to my baby brother. It didn’t matter that he was an adult, he’d always be my baby brother. I’d have done anything for him, anything at all, but I knew that he was a little upset that I’d told him that he couldn’t ask Danika out. We had very strict brother rules about dating the same woman, but since I wasn’t dating her, he thought it was unfair that I’d warned him off. Still, whether he understood it or not, I thought he’d respect my wishes.

The waitress brought out our bottle service, and I saw Danika’s eyes widen. I made a note to myself that I owed Doug big time.

“I’m impressed. Grey Goose bottle service. You’ve got some pretty good connections, for a homeless guy.”

I laughed, already mixing dirty martinis for us.

“Just how dirty do you want this?” I asked, wiggling my eyebrows suggestively.

That surprised a giggle out of her, and I thought that was my favorite sound. It was just so uncharacteristic for her, and I loved to be the cause of it.

“I’ll take it as dirty as you can dish it out.”

I felt myself growing hard. She’d gotten the better of me, yet again.

We had two drinks before hitting the floor.

I was a good dancer, but I had absolutely nothing on Danika. The girl could move. And her dancing wasn’t just about the sexy. I thought that every move she made was filled with talent and beauty. It was a Top Forty dance mix tonight, and she knew the words to every song, frequently matching her moves to the words in cute little ways, flipping her hair, or holstering air guns at her sexy as hell hips.

I bummed a cigarette off Kenny when I saw him where he was chatting up some guy in the corner.

“Do you mind if I smoke?” I asked Danika as I returned to our table.

She was looking at her phone, but she glanced up briefly to shake her head. She didn’t look happy.

“It’s not a habit,” I reassured her as I lit up. “I only smoke when I drink.”

She laughed. “Well, from what I can see, you drink every night. How is that not a habit?”

I smiled ruefully. She did have a point.