Let's Make a Deal
Lacey had dressed appropriately for the meeting with Danny and his lawyer. Her dress pant suit was a charcoal gray with a fitted jacket. Under the jacket lay a light pink blouse. Her hair lay in loose curls touching just below her shoulder blades. She wanted to look professional for this meeting. After all, it was the most important meeting of her life. She prayed that Danny and she could come to an understanding of Thomas that met Thomas's needs more than their own.
Danny had to take a double take when he glanced up to see Lacey walk through the door of his lawyer's office. He swallowed due to the moisture building in his mouth. Trevor would laugh at Danny if he wasn't equally appreciative of Lacey's beauty.
Danny had his hair down instead of up in his patent bun. His dark tendrils flanked his light gray dress shirt. Danny had even wore a tie for the occasion. It was a deep burgundy tie. His outfit was finished off with well fitting black dress pants.
Danny stood when Lacey walked into the room. Macy's eyebrows rose at her client's manners as well as appearance. There was no mistaking that Danny Desai was beyond normally beautiful. Men were usually not referred to as beautiful but no other word could describe the looks of Daniel Desai.
After Lacey and Ms. Winthrop sat down, both Danny and Trevor did as well. Lacey took in a deep breath of air trying to calm her nerves. This was a mistake as it brought back her secret, hidden memoir of her and Danny's lovemaking. She cursed that leather and vanilla scent of his.
Danny slightly loosened his tie as he noticed the button on Lacey's blouse strained to hold its closure at the center of her breasts. He was sure that the temperature in the room rose at least ten degrees. Danny noticed the glistening skin at the very slightest peeking out of Lacey's cleavage. Subconsciously, Danny licked his lips. He remembered tasting of the same skin.
Lacey squirmed around uncomfortably in her chair when she noticed a bead of sweat had accumulated on Danny's brow. Lacey tried to forget how Danny's face looked when their bodies joined in making love. She remembered his brow sweating as his face contorted when he had reached his brink of pleasure.
Macy Winthrop glanced at Trevor Canon feeling very uncomfortable. If there was such a thing as eye sex, surely she was witnessing it. Trevor felt embarrassed as he watched Danny and Lacey stare each other down. He felt like he was intruding on a private moment.
Macy snapped her briefcase shut with an attempted distraction. It worked as Lacey and Danny broke their gaze and looked at Macy.
Danny's lawyer pulled out the papers she had written up. Trevor did the same.
"My client has been proven to be the father of the Thomas Daniel Porter born on October 22, 2010. The mother's name is Lacey Emilea Porter." Macy placed a copy of papers in front of Lacey and Danny as well as Trevor. "I'm sure you have your own papers. But I feel that Mr. Desai is being more than generous with child support. All he asks in return is for joint custody which would consist of Ms. Porter being Thomas's main care giver. However, my client is asking for every other weekend as well as shared holidays. He would expect all summer months with Ms. Porter getting Thomas on every other weekend during the summer."
"No." Lacey shoved the papers away. "I won't go without seeing Thomas for that long of a period."
Danny narrowed his eyes on Lacey. "Yet, you let me go three years. This is what a man gets with his child. I'm not even pushing the issue, Lacey. I could have him six months of the year. But I won't do you that way."
"Thomas won't handle that long without me. He can't." Lacey pleaded as her eyes filled with tears. "He doesn't even know you, Danny. You have no idea how to take care of his needs."
"Whose fault is that?" Danny raked his hands through his hair. "I want to know him too. I have that right."
Trevor cleared his throat. "Actually, Mrs. Winthrop and I think we have a solution that will best suit Thomas's needs."
Danny and Lacey both glanced puzzled at Trevor. Lacey spoke first. "Excuse me? You've been working with Danny's lawyer behind my back."
"Now, hold up a minute, Ms. Porter." Macy interrupted. "Mr. Desai has no idea of our conversation either. But if you and he would look through the papers, it would tell you that we are only thinking of the best interests of both our clients but mostly of little Thomas."
Danny was the first to pull the papers to him. He skimmed through them trying to see what had been added differently than his original documents written up by Macy Winthrop. Trevor's eyes widened at the large sum of money Danny offered for child support. Lacey had seen the amount Danny offered as well.
"This is ridiculous, Danny." Lacey huffed out. "I don't need 10,000 dollars a month for Thomas. I can survive on my own." Lace shook her head.
It was the first time that Macy had seen a female client refuse a contract due to too much money. Trevor chuckled knowing Lacey didn't like extravagance. Danny shrugged as he smirked. "It won't hurt me. I make that sometimes in an hour of doing business."
Lacey rolled her eyes. "Pay for his needs, Danny. If you must give him money then put it in a trust fund for his education expenses and future."
"I have that too. Look at line..." Danny started to speak.
"NO." Lacey leaned in. "I want to provide for him too. I don't want you saving me."
"Okay, let's read the rest then you can decide on the money issue later." Macy sighed out. "Please."
All four of them skimmed through the document. Trevor and Macy both held their breath wondering when their clients would see the suggested living arrangements.
"LIVE WITH DANNY!" Lacey practically yelled. Well, at least they knew she got to the part they were worried about.
"It is only for six months until Thomas gets used to Danny and we've divided the months between both homes." Macy added quickly hoping to deflate Lacey's anger. "That way Danny can see how to give proper care for Thomas and you can see that Thomas will be well taken care of."
"I have no problem with it." Danny smirked as he leaned back and crossed his arms behind his head.
"Platonic." Trevor added hoping to ease Lacey into the idea. Danny wasn't helping sell the idea with his cocky attitude. "Of course."
Danny again smirked as he leaned up. He placed his elbows on the large oak table. His daunting eyes stared directly into Lacey's eyes. "Of course."
"No." Lacey felt her face flushing hot. Living with Danny was too dangerous due to it being too tempting. "No way."
"Think of our son, Lacey." Danny said in a suggestive husky voice. "Isn't he your main concern?"
Lacey's eye twitched at the audacity of Danny's flirty attitude. "Fine. I'll make room in the GUEST bedroom."
Lacey grabbed up the papers and scribbled down her name. She shoved the papers towards Danny before marching out of the room. Danny chuckled as he signed his own name. He nodded to both Trevor and Macy.
"It has been interesting." Danny smirked. He picked up Macy's hand as he kissed it. "It has been a pleasure as always, Macy."
Danny left leaving Lacey dumbfounded. She sighed. "Danny Desai can be charming."
Trevor and Macy stayed behind putting the documents in their briefcases. Macy breathed out a sigh of relief. Trevor laughed as he stated.
"Platonic my $$."