"A pretty woman like you shouldn't be sittin' alone."
Stella raised an eyebrow as she saw Danny standing next to her at the bar.
"Pretty, huh?"
He grinned, taking the stool next to hers. "Well, I was gonna say sexy, but I was afraid you'd slap me." She laughed, and he nodded at her empty glass. "Let me buy ya a drink."
"Can't say no to that."
Danny signaled to the bartender, ordering Stella another screwdriver, and a beer for himself. When their drinks were made, they drank quietly, enjoying the easy companionship that they shared.
"So what are ya doin' here, Stell?"
She shrugged, glancing over at him with a smirk. "You got a problem with pretty women drinking alone?"
"Nah. Easier to hook up with 'em if they're alone." He looked her up and down. "But remember, Stell - I said you were sexy. And sexy women drinkin' alone is a crime."
Stella laughed at that, loud and long. "Did you just use a line on me, Daniel Messer?"
A faint blush tinged his cheeks. "Woulda worked on anyone but you," he muttered.
Stella shook her head in disbelief. "Does that stuff really get women into bed? It's kind of pathetic how easy we've become."
Danny looked at her for a long moment and took a pull from his beer. "Well I can tell it's gonna take a lot more work with you."
"Are you trying to get me into bed?"
"You kiddin' me? I been tryin' to catch you for years, Bonasera."
There was something in his voice that made her stop and really look at him. His tone had been almost light, but as she saw the blush creeping up his neck, she knew that there was more truth to his words than he wanted to admit.
"You really think I"m worth the effort?" she finally asked.
"If anyone's worth it, it's you."
"Good answer," she murmured, finishing her drink.
Tossing her money on the counter, she stood up, regarding her friend once more. Then she threw caution to the wind and leaned over, kissing the corner of his mouth.
"If you wanna catch me," she whispered in his ear, "maybe you better run faster."
With that, she headed for the door. Danny sat in stunned silence for a few heartbeats before throwing his own money on the counter and hurrying to follow her. He wasn't entirely sure what they were doing, but he'd be damned if he was going to get left behind.
