Chapter Four
The next morning Danny was awoken by a firm hand on his shoulder.
"Danny. Wake up."
"Albert? What time is it?" Danny asked, taking a huge intake of breath.
"It's almost 9."
Danny groaned as he could feel a thumping headache coming.
"Can't you just leave me in bed today?" he said pleadingly.
Albert sighed. "We've got details on the next mark. You should know about it."
Albert turned and headed out of the room. Danny doubled check the time on his clock and let out a loud grumble. He begrudgingly sat up, wiping the sleep from his eyes. He looked down to realise that he was still in the same clothes he wore last night. As he stood up Danny heard a call from the lounge.
"Danny?" It was Mickey.
"It's alright I'm coming." He replied.
"Nice to see you Danny." Mickey said sarcastically as Danny entered the room, Danny only managing a quick huff. He slumped onto the couch next to Stacie, who looked as fresh as she did every morning.
"Why is it you look like that when I look and feel like this?" He whispered.
Stacie looked and Danny and smiled. "Natural luck I guess."
"Listen, about last night.." Danny began.
"Danny?" Mickey interrupted, getting impatient. "Is there something you want to share?"
"Uh, no." he replied, sitting up from his slouch position.
"Ok then. So here's out next mark."
Once the prep meeting was over, Danny made his way back to his bedroom. His clothes had started to smell and he needed a shower. He had already taken off his shirt and trousers when he had a knock at his door.
"Yeah?"
"It's Stacie. Can I come in?" she said, her voice slightly muffled.
"Yeah." He called out, not bothering to cover back up.
When she opened the door, she stopped. She hadn't expected to see Danny in his undressed state.
Danny noticed the bemused look on her face. "What?" he questioned.
"You could have warned me that you were half naked. It's more than my eyes can take this early in the morning." She said with a half smile.
Danny raised his left eyebrow. "What is it you wanted, Stace?" he said, trying not to seem rude, still feeling slightly awkward after their drunken confessions game. She moved closer to him and handed him a photo.
"I found this under the coffee table." She held up a picture of herself and Danny, that they had been used in a con they did a few months back. "Did you want it?" she asked.
Danny was surprised by her asking. "Nah. It's alright." He said, handing back the photo.
"I'll just throw it away then." She said, turning back towards the door. Before she shut the door, she turned back. "We're all going to Eddie's Bar for some breakfast."
"Ok. I'll meet you there after I've had a shower." Danny looked at Stacie and smiled, which she returned. When she shut the door, Danny reached for his watch. '10.07' He stood up and made his way to the bathroom, hearing the main door closing.
At Eddie's Bar, Mickey, Albert, Stacie and Ash were sat at there normal booth.
"Where's Danny?" Eddie asked as he made his way over.
"In the shower." Stacie replied. "He's meeting us down here."
Eddie put four coffees down on the table and returned back to the bar.
Mickey looked at Stacie and handed her a cup. "Where were you two last night?"
Stacie looked at Mickey. "Danny took me to Don Marcos. He paid and everything."
A look of surprise spread over Mickey's face. "Danny paid?"
"Yeah. He said I deserved a proper night out." Stacie said smiling.
Mickey noticed that they were a small glow coming from Stacie. "Had a nice time then?"
"Yeah I did." Stacie took a sip from her coffee as Mickey continued to look at her.
Noticing that Mickey's eyes hadn't left her, she stopped drinking. "What?" she asked.
"Nothing. It's just you have a glow about you."
Stacie could feel her cheeks blushing. "What are you on about Mickey?"
At this point, Albert and Ash were now looking at Stacie.
"He's right, my dear. You do." Albert said smiling.
"Oh shut up Alby!" she said, making sure her voice wasn't too defensive.
Stacie could feel her face getting redder so she stood up. "Anybody want another one?" she said pointing to her coffee. With that, Stacie made her way to the bar.
