BIG BALLS/CH 3

As Daniel glanced over at Betty, his smile spread at her admission, "Seriously?"

She nodded and sighed, taking his hands in hers, "Yes, Daniel! Look, I know I handled everything...all wrong! I'm so sorry! I was just overwhelmed, trying to get started. But I never wanted to hurt you!

And I know I did. When I left New York because I didn't talk to you about it first. You were my best friend! I should have told you right away. But, for some reason, I couldn't! And then, you know, after Mr. Dunne…um...well..."

His lopsided grin matched his raised eyebrows, "Caught us in the middle of a very hot kiss? Yeah! That was...amazing! Almost good enough to last...ten years!"

She blushed slightly, lowering her eyelashes, "Well...almost! I mean

…"

He smirked, "I think we're do for another one or...oh, I don't know maybe ten thousand this time? At least that should get the ball rolling!"

Her eyes danced and she nodded, "Ten...THOUSand? That sounds ...um...pretty great, actually! I was so afraid you'd still be mad at me and you know, have some perfect, beautiful, sexy wife and four kids, whatever by now!"

Daniel shook his head, laughing, "NO! No way! Um...point five? Half a kid?"

She giggled, "You know, pregnant wife?"

"OH! Right! No, no...wife, pregnant or otherwise. No kids...half or otherwise. And I haven't found my groove yet, professionally, either. I'm still doing my philanthropy, and sort of...looking for someone both to work with again and...have a good relationship with.

But finding that person has been like finding a unicorn, or...I don't know, a rare, beautiful butterfly! She has to be this incredible, kind, amazing woman who I can share my love, marriage, house, and you know, maybe even those four point five kids with.

I think what I actually NEED is a woman who I can work incredibly well with, somebody who I make a great team with, maybe somebody who likes pizza and going up on the Brooklyn Bridge at five in the morning and sings Sonny and Cher really badly. There used to be this one girl I knew who fit that bill, but…it's been a really long time."

She narrowed her eyes, "Sings Sonny and Cher really BADLY, huh?"

He laughed, "Well, you know, I guess I COULD get you an upgrade! Depends on how much wine we drank and how bad the other acts were, I suppose. It was a good song, though."

She nodded, "Mmhm...so, listen, Daniel, I am so grateful for whatever you said to them at The New York Review! They were really impressed. What DID you say, exactly?"

He shrugged, throwing up his hands, and making a face, "I have no idea, really! When I called them, it all just sort of spilled out of me once I started talking and I heard myself telling them about how great you were at research and at always doing your job a thousand percent, and how you knew every little detail about every writer and photographer and predicted trends in a fashion magazine for over four years when you didn't even really enjoy fashion!

And I told them how much I depended on you and how you always managed to charm people with your smile, with or without braces!

How you brightened up everybody's day and took so much on your own shoulders without ever letting the rest of us see just how hard you were working your ass off behind that smile and of course, your great pep talks.

I almost started telling them all about how sensational your hugs were, too, but...I figured that was something you only did for your friends, and not really appropriate for me to mention as your boss!

Let's see...I'm pretty sure Justin said I bragged about you for at least...half an hour or longer, maybe? I guess that sounds about right! I could have definitely gone on a lot longer but I WAS TRYING to keep things professional!"

"OH!" her eyes glistened and she sniffed slightly.

Daniel shook his head, "What? Come on, you're not going to cry on me, are you? This is a nice suit! You're gonna get it all wet, woman!"

He pulled her into a hug, stroking the back of her hair gently. He whispered against her head, kissing her forehead, and letting out a breath he didn't realize he had been holding, "Now that you're here, you're home, I feel like I can finally breathe again, Betty! You have no idea how lonely I've been! How much I've missed you."

She let out a deep breath as well and bit her bottom lip, staring up at him through tear-stained eyes, "I know exactly what you mean! I have been running around in circles, working and working...and for what? In the end, once Mr. Dunne...well, died, his son made me feel like I wasn't welcome there anymore! So why did I work so hard in the first place? Why did I leave? It's like all that time, I spent working was for nothing!"

He shook his head, pulling away slightly and holding her face in his hands, "No it wasn't, Betty! You've made a name for yourself! Do you think you would have gotten the interviews from the type of magazines you got, let alone actually gotten the job if you hadn't earned the respect of some pretty influential people?

I mean the fact that they even considered you for a managing editor position at The freaking New Yorker speaks volumes! They wanted you precisely BECAUSE you worked so hard all these years! You always have! You don't know how not to work your ass off!

Hell, I was just the lucky guy who got to be there when you first started. There was no way you weren't going to go far with your work ethic, your intelligence, and the way you always charm and inspire everyone you encounter, Betty!"

She smiled, "Wow! Thank you, Daniel! I guess...you're still my number one fan, huh? I'll never forget how much you cheered for me when you did that alternative fashion show...well, basically to make me happy!"

He grinned, shrugging, "Maybe. But it actually was a great idea! IF I had stayed at Mode, I'm sure I would have made it a regular feature."

"But you didn't stay there. You stepped away from Mode ten years ago. Because you...you came to London. Then you traveled a lot, starting your charity work. And eventually, you came back here."

"Keeping tabs on me, huh? What's your point, Betty?"

"I just...want to say thank you! For believing in me. For everything. For...giving me my start. For...I don't know, NOT being married with some perfect wife already! For...waiting, I guess!"

He didn't answer her, but changed the subject, asking about everyone in her family and if she was staying with them. When she told him she had a hotel, he seemed genuinely surprised, "Okay, so...you got a hotel. You mean you're really NOT staying with your family? That's surprising!"

"I'm going to need my own place since I'm moving back here now. I wanted to wait until I knew what job I have and where it is before I get too settled, though. I figured if I had to go back to living with my family, it would just seem like I was going backwards! I'm back in New York, but I'm not the same Betty I used to be, you know? I'm a grown woman now."

He smiled, nodding, "Right! I get that. But New York hotels can be really pricey! I'm sure you got a great deal knowing you, but...you know, if you decide you need a home base while you're getting settled, you're welcome to stay with me."

She raised an eyebrow, "Where are you suggesting I sleep?"

He threw up his hands, and she could swear he was blushing, "Hey! I'm just trying to help out my old friend! Living in New York is really expensive! Even I know that! I just thought...okay, whatever! Fine! Maybe it WAS a little bit of a come on! Is that so surprising? Or… unwelcome?"

"I didn't say that. Don't forget, though, London is even more expensive than New York! I still know how to save my money. I may not be a millionaire, but I have savings."

He took her hand, holding her palm open and absently rubbing circles in it with his index finger, causing her to flinch slightly, "That's good. I'm sure you're fine. But...the offer still stands. I do have a couch."

When they reached her hotel, he helped her again with her luggage and as they both stood outside the door, he cleared his throat, "Well, anyway. Welcome home Betty!" he smiled, hugging her warmly as he handed her the handle of her suitcase, and turned to leave.

She turned and opened the door to her room, then turned back again, "Daniel?"

"Uh-huh?"

"Do you...want to...come in and order some room service?"

He raised his eyebrow and grinned, nodding, as he stepped away as the elevator doors opened then closed again. He followed her inside, "Oh hell yeah, I do!"

She laughed, and ushered him inside, then allowed him to peruse the room service menu while she went into the bedroom to freshen up from her long flight.

Daniel's smile widened as she walked out, wearing a pair of yoga pants and a comfortable tee shirt, with her hair pulled into a loose ponytail and her face scrubbed of makeup. He couldn't get over how amazing she looked. Betty had indeed grown into an undeniably beautiful woman.

He took a deep breath, asking her for her choices to eat and drink, then sat, somewhat uncomfortably on the sofa. After attempting small talk, she came and sat next to him and , he had missed that smile!

"We don't need to be so nervous! I mean, it's not like we're strangers!"

"Maybe not, but it's been a hell of a long time!" he smirked as he pulled away slightly, "Okay, hold on, are you actually coming onto ME, now, Betty?"

She rolled her eyes, blushing, as she hit him lightly on the arm, "It took you long enough to notice! I did invite you up here, for goodness sakes! What do I have to do to get your attention? Take my clothes off and run around naked in front of you?"

He grinned, "Is that a trick question? I didn't realize that was an option! Hell, if I'd known that, I wouldn't have even needed the damn elevator, I would have run up all twenty flights! Okay, do I get to try and make up the difference in that ONE incredibly hot but very long ago and far away kiss you gave me now, please?"

She laughed, "You seriously want to try and kiss ten thousand times?"

His smile spread as he leaned closer, to whisper, his lips inches away, "At least! What is the saying again? Ten thousand hours...or the rest of my life?"