Normally, Donny would have had Maria or one of his paralegals bring him the pair of coffees and dessert that he had offered to Daphne, but on this occasion, he really needed the time to himself to walk things off and clear his head.
This meeting had not turned out as Donny had expected at all. He had done all he can to prepare Daphne for the meat grinder that surely awaited her in a few days in front of the judge, and while she was doing her part to the best of her ability, he had no idea where they stood.
On one hand, she genuinely seemed to have no idea how Niles felt about her. From that standpoint, her deniability did seem that it could still be plausible. And she was doing everything she could to prepare herself for Whalen's piercing questions into the matter. At the very least, he could probably pass her off that way.
On the other hand, Daphne still hesitated when the issue of her own feelings came up. Whether she was secretly hoping that he WAS in love with her, or whether she was denying his feelings to herself as much as she was to the rest of the world was still unclear.
He had tried to get her to open up a little more on the subject, but having to tap-dance around the facts that he knew about Niles while doing so was proving to be quite the conundrum. He was walking a fine line here, and one misspoken word could tip him over.
The only thing he had truly discovered about Daphne was just how... genuine she was. Considerate, thoughtful... warm, enchanting... not at all like the women he had come to know in his line of work.
Donny didn't kid himself. She was an amazing woman, one whom the Cranes were extremely fortunate to have in their employ. It's no wonder she was so good at what she did; she always seemed to have the needs of others on her mind more than her own. The way she had been able to comfort him over his love life earlier, both with affectionate charm and self-deprecating wit... that was a special quality.
And she was pretty. Beautiful even. And the fragrance she wore...
Of COURSE Niles Crane was in love with her. How could he NOT be?
How could ANY man not be in love with her?
And that's when it hit him again. It had been pestering him throughout the morning and afternoon, but now, alone with his thoughts, it was flying into his head like a Learjet.
He was becoming taken with Daphne himself.
And that's where things were getting REALLY dangerous. If he even entertained the notion of becoming involved with a key witness, it could very easily compromise his position.
But more than that, he wasn't about to betray Niles like that. He couldn't. Niles Crane was a good man, and he deserved a woman like Daphne. He could chastise him all day over the fact that he never told her, but he had his reasons. And based on what he had come to find out about his marriage, they were very good reasons.
But at the same time... Donny's own attraction was becoming undeniable. And he had a feeling that the chances of Daphne reciprocating his attraction, while slim, were not non-existent.
For the first time since he had established this practice, Donny was sincerely at a loss over what to do.
For the moment, all he could do was take the cash out of his wallet, hand it to the cashier, and make the trek back up the elevator, coffee & turtle cheesecake in hand.
Daphne splashed her face with cold water, hoping it would shake the cobwebs loose. It had been an exhausting meeting so far, and a little unnerving. Donny had warned her that this could be a little uneasy and uncomfortable, but if this was the grilling she was in for from Maris's team, she became quite leery of her own ability to keep herself together.
For his own part, Donny had done his best to ease her concerns. His hand had been a steady one throughout this meeting, firm when needed, gentle when wanted.
She didn't yet know if she would do well in her deposition, but at least he was trying to make her feel prepared, which was all he could do. She had heard the stereotype many times about American lawyers, but this was one whose company she had found to be enjoyable.
Charming, witty, if a little crass, and certainly confident in himself. Daphne would be fooling herself if she didn't admit to a certain spark she was starting to feel around him.
Hardly overpowering, but still noticeable.
And she couldn't stop thinking about it.
At first, she didn't know why she was thinking these thoughts, or even if she should. Romantic thoughts toward Dr. Crane's lawyer were hardly appropriate, what with the liability it could present to his case. And, let's be honest: a short, somewhat oafish-looking git like Donny was not typically the sort of man that a shallow sod like herself would go for.
And yet, every time she thought about his wry smile, or his self-assured demeanor, or his gentlemanly nature, or the glint in his eyes as he fondly remembered his past romances... well, it was enough to make Daphne's heart melt.
And the more her mind kept drifting back to him, the more she welcomed it.
Who cared that he wasn't a hunk like Joe? Or a gorgeous, shiny-eyed, mild-mannered bloke like Clive?
Or a soft-spoken, cultured, boyishly handsome man like... Niles Crane?
And that's when Daphne drifted back to her earlier thoughts about staying in her lane, of her latent fixation on a man well beyond her class. It wasn't healthy. Donny was not Niles, she would never deny that. But, that didn't have to be a bad thing.
Donny was charming. Donny was confident. And Donny was handsome in his own way. And he didn't seem to shy away from any affections he might have toward her.
They were both available. They were compatible. And most of all, they were in the same league.
This was healthy. This was SAFE.
Yes, this was worth pursuing. To hell with thoughts of a man she could never have. To hell with trying to attain the unattainable.
It was time to finish this meeting. Daphne dried off her face and confidently strolled back into the office, with as much self-assurance as she had had in a while. Because by the end of this meeting, she was quite certain that she would have a date with Donny Douglas.
Before they knew it, both Daphne and Donny were down to their last bites, and half a sip of coffee left in their styrofoam cups. And yet, they kept chatting, unaware of the time that was passing.
"Excuse me," Donny suddenly cleared his throat.
"That's what happens when you drink too fast," Daphne replied.
"Well, I normally try to pace myself."
"Liar." Daphne chided playfully.
"I am NOT!" Donny replied, but then hesitantly, "well, I guess it depends on what I'm drinking."
"Or eating, if that plate of yours is any indication."
"I told you it was good cheesecake."
"My plate is equal proof, I suppose."
"You can have my last bite if you want."
"Thank you, I think I will." And with that, Daphne reached with her fork to skim the last bite of Donny's cheesecake off of his plate and carefully into her waiting mouth.
Once cleared, Donny took the empty plates and stacked them onto his desk.
"Be sure not to leave those there."
"Don't be so bossy," Donny playfully responded, "That's what Maria is for!"
Finally, they both laughed hysterically, enjoying the banter that was electrifying both of them. The spark could be denied no longer.
Daphe decided to be bold. "Listen to us, we sound like an old married couple!"
Donny paused, and then responded, "yes, I suppose we do."
A long look into each other's eyes. And then Donny began to look away, before Daphne, feeling bolder still, reached out and covered his hand. "that's not such a bad thing you know."
And once again, they locked eyes.
This was it. This was the moment. Daphne waited in anticipation, as this was surely when Donny would make his move.
Donny began to open his mouth... but nothing came out. A good five seconds passed in silence, until finally...
"Well Daphne, I think we can call it a day. I have a little more work to do, and some appointments to reschedule."
Daphne's confusion was just beginning to register, as Donny haphazardly continued, "You and I have a little more prep to do, so we'll probably get together again between now and the weekend. I'll be in touch."
As Donny moved to open the door, Daphne slowly rose from her chair, still not quite sure what had just happened. She thought for sure...
"Well, thank you, Donny. I'll be waiting for your call."
"And you'll have it soon enough. Thank you, Daphne."
As soon as Daphne left, Donny saw Portia waiting, gave her a signal to wait just a few seconds, then closed his door.
He took a moment to breathe, his emotions spinning in his head like a hamster wheel. This was NOT how this was supposed to go, at all. He knew he had left Daphne hanging, and he knew he would have to explain himself to her later. Right now, he needed to get her out of his head and compose himself.
Finally, he opened the door once again.
"Come on in Portia, thanks for waiting."
"No problem sir."
"You had some findings for me?"
"Yes sir, and I think you might find them interesting."