Chapter 2

"That was Derek, he said he is transferring to Zambia, should be there for 6-7 months" Delinda said as she padded softly into the bedroom. Gently hanging up the phone on the bedside table she turned and looked at Danny who was perched on the edge of the bed. He looked a million miles away. Delinda waited for a reaction or even acknowledgement of her statement. Danny looked at her with a small smile on his face as he pulled his t-shirt over his head. "That's great, I hope he likes it better than…where was he again?" Delinda just stared at him, she had been hoping for some sign of jealousy. "Your doing it again!" Delinda yelled in frustration. As she tried to pull on her jeans over her pale yellow thong Delinda continued "why do I think half the time we talk you are not even listening?" Delinda stomped out of the room heading for the kitchen.

She was right, he thought. Although Delinda was right there by his side, he still felt alone. There had been many times lately where he caught himself tuning her out when she would go on about clothing styles, menus or some other topic he just couldn't get interested in. He would often think back to conversations he had had with Mary and how it had been so easy to talk with her. He smiled sadly when he thought about how much he missed those days. Now Mary barely acknowledged his presence and only spoke to him on casino business. He couldn't blame her, especially how she had found out about his relationship with Delinda. How could he not have told her? He thought about the mess he and Delinda had caused by keeping their relationship secret. Hell who was he kidding- just by having this relationship they managed to alienate all their friends not just from them but from each other.

It had been horrible in the beginning, everyone always staring at them. Even though they had been careful not to show any public displays of affection Danny knew they were the hot topic of casino gossip. Delinda didn't seem to mind but Danny hated it. After returning to the new Montecito Danny had tried very hard to change his reputation as a player to that of a responsible, mature adult. A professional who could handle running a multi-million dollar corporation. When Danny voiced his concerns to Delinda she just downplayed them trying to reassure him that everyone just needed time to adjust and everything would go back to normal. Danny hated how there always seemed to be tension in the room when he was around Ed now. Danny couldn't figure out what Ed's feelings were regarding Danny and Delinda's relationship and he wasn't sure he could handle the answer right now. Jillian was ecstatic that Danny and Delinda had gotten together. Although he knew Jillian liked him, Danny was pretty sure her enthusiasm had a lot to do with the fact that Delinda would not be moving to a third world country anytime soon. Sam and Mike were pissed that Danny had kept it from Mary but they seemed to be getting over it now that Mary was speaking to them again.

"Delinda, I am sorry" he called out to her. "I have just had a lot on my mind lately, you know that." Danny gave her a sweet smile as she came back in the room and sat next to him on the bed.

"I know you have but you need to stop worrying so much, now what party do you want to go to tonight? The one at Pure or the barbeque at Mitch's?" Delinda said as she rubbed his back slowly.

"Can we just stay in tonight? I need some down time, between the Montecito and McCoy Construction I just need a night to relax and hang out at home." Delinda looked at Danny, he did look tired but she knew she could convince him, she always got her way when she wanted. Delinda swung her legs around so she was now sitting on his lap and began to nibble on his neck. They had been doing this routine for weeks now, Danny thought with a sigh. Delinda had quickly realized that pouting didn't work on Danny but sex usually got her what she wanted. When she felt his body become tense Delinda looked at him curiously, this was not the reaction from him that she had been going for. "Danny, you know how much this relationship means to me, I really need us to work but I need to know what you want from me."

Danny knew there was no getting around this conversation again. Solemnly Danny looked at Delinda. "We really need to talk." Danny gently shifted Delinda off his lap and sat her next to him on the bed. He held her hand in his and looked deep in her eyes. "We need to talk about what we want out of this, about the future."

Chapter 3

"I thought you didn't want to talk about the future, we were just going to have fun and see where this goes?" Delinda cried. The tone of Danny's voice was scaring her and she had a feeling she wouldn't like what was to come.

Danny took a deep breath, this was not going to be easy. "Delinda, sometimes I think we are just trying too hard, like we're doing this for a class project. I don't want to be together if it is just to prove to everyone that we can make it work."

Delinda could feel a sinking sensation form in the bottom of her stomach. She didn't want to let this go, not yet. She couldn't face her parents, her friends. She couldn't be seen as the horrible woman who broke her engagement and betrayed her best friend all for nothing.

"Danny, I love you, that's why I am with you" Delinda said as she leaned over and gave him a soft kiss on the lips. "I don't want to have another failed relationship and I know we can make this work, we just need more time to get used to each other. Maybe we should buy a bigger condo, you know, start on neutral ground? You have the money from your Dad's place still and I will pay to decorate it, with your input of course."

Danny considered what she said for a moment. He had always thought he would use that money to buy a house with a pool for his wife and kids. Maybe even get a couple of dogs to run around the back yard. A small voice in his head told him to not forget about the white picket fence. He tried to shake the thought away and concentrate on what he needed to do. Besides, he thought, I hate white picket fences, they reminded him of Jake.

At that moment the reason for the frustration Danny had been feeling toward their relationship suddenly came into focus. "Delinda we can't be together like this. We don't really love each other and you know it. Maybe we want to feel that way about each other but we don't. Since we moved in together have you been really happy even once? It doesn't seem to me that outside of this bed you really don't care for much about me, my clothes, furniture, my opinions."

"Danny, those are material things that we can learn to compromise on. I am sorry I have been so picky, I can change that" Delinda's eyes began to tear as she realized what Danny was saying was true.

'My opinions are material things? Are you even listening to me Delinda?" Danny sat there in disbelief. What had he been thinking when he agreed to let her move in? He had to get out of this mess and get his life back on the right track.

Delinda was lost in thought. She was thinking of her grandmothers upcoming 80th birthday party and felt a panic go through her. How could she go and face all her family and explain to everyone that she messed up again? That wasn't going to happen, she had to find a way to convince him to stay together until after the party. Delinda thought furiously of what would be a good motivation she could use. What were his weak spots? Sex? No, he seemed to be over that. Money? No, he never seemed hung up on money, besides he had his own. Guilt? Now that she could use.

"So now that you are tired of me your just throwing me out?' Before she could think the words were out of her mouth. Danny looked at her as she began to cry. "No, Delinda, I just think this is for the best. I think we should break things off before we end up hating each other, I don't want to lose you as a friend." Delinda looked at Danny harshly "You mean like you and Mary? Or do you think that you can get her back now that she dumped Casey?" Delinda knew she was pulling at straws but she was desperate.

Danny began to get angry "What are you talking about? Mary broke up with Casey? You know what , it doesn't matter. It has nothing to do with this, besides Mary doesn't want me and you know that. Why are you doing this?"

"Because every time I have gotten jealous over Mary in the past you try and reassure me by saying that she doesn't want you anymore, like you would be together if she hadn't dumped you! The first time we were together I always felt that you treated her more like your girlfriend than me, why do you think I broke up with you the first time? No one likes to be second choice."

Delinda's words stung Danny. "I am so sorry, I never knew you felt that way. Delinda, I want to be honest with you. If Mary hadn't broken off our engagement we would be married by now, probably starting a family. But none of that matters now, it's in the past. I've accepted it and my only hope is that someday we will be close friends again. How I feel about Mary has nothing to do with us, I swear."

Delinda looked at the hurt look on Danny face. She couldn't do this. She knew deep down that Danny would always love Mary and she would never have that place in his heart. She was tempted to tell him what Mary had revealed to her about seeing his face when Jake proposed but just couldn't bring herself to do it. She may be able to accept that she and Danny were over but she wasn't ready to hand him over to Mary on a silver platter just yet.

"Danny , I am really sorry. I know you're right, I just didn't want to face it. I will pack my things and get out of here. I can go back to my place since the lease isn't up yet."

Relief washed over Danny and he felt like a huge weight had been lifted off of his shoulders.

"Danny, could you do me one favor though?"

"What do you need , D?"

"Could we wait to tell everyone until after grandma's party? I just can't face the humiliation right now."

Danny turned to her with a look of understanding. "Delinda, we tried. There is nothing to be ashamed about. We still are going to be close friends, right?" he said to her with a boyish smile. The look on Delinda's face made his smile fade and he simply nodded his head. "You don't have to leave right away, take your time, okay?"

Delinda smiled and said "Thanks Danny" as she made her way out of the room and left the condo.