Ch. 14

The next morning, Dante and Valerie were both exiting their respective rooms when they ran into one another in the hallway. The atmosphere was slightly uncomfortable as they both froze and regarded each other silently. Trying to eliminate the strangeness in the air, they spoke at the same time. "Hey, did you sleep well?" "Good morning, Val." Valerie laughed and looked away first, her eyes landing on everything in the hallway but him.

"Let's try this again," Dante said with a chuckle, adding, "Good morning, Val."

Val nodded in agreement with restarting the conversation as she responded, "Good morning, Dante. How'd you sleep?"

"Surprisingly well. I feel rested for the first time in days."

"Good, I'm glad…" The conversation lagged once more and Dante shook his head as he remarked, "Why does this feel so-" "Awkward," they both said simultaneously. "Yeah," he went on, "Awkward. You're not shy with me and I'm not shy with you, so why does this seem so weird?"

"I know for me," Valerie stated with a sigh, "I'm still embarrassed about last night."

"Which part? The dream or what happened afterwards?"

"Definitely the dream. The part afterwards just left me frustrated—sorry," she tacked on quickly, realizing how that must have sounded.

"Don't be sorry, and don't be embarrassed. I like it when you speak your mind and are honest with me. Full disclosure? You aren't the only one having sex dreams here so don't worry about it. I certainly don't think any less of you because of it. And you weren't the only one frustrated."

"Ok, that's opening a can of worms right there."

"Why?"

"Because now I'm dying to ask what you dreamed but then I know you'll turn it around on me and want to know what I dreamed about, and I'm not about to tell you that. Let's not even get on the subject of frustration."

"Fair enough—let's stick with the dreams. You're right. If you tell me yours, I'll tell you mine."

"Not happening."

"There you go, then. By the way, thanks for putting out a toothbrush and towel for me. I didn't even hear you come in the room."

"You're welcome. When I went in there, you were knocked out. You didn't even move. I think this room is for guests, so the extras were already there."

Oh, ok. Thanks, anyway. And I told you that was the best sleep I've had in days. You probably could have set a bomb off and I wouldn't have heard it."

"But you heard me call out—never mind."

"Yeah, I don't think you wanna go there. I thought something was wrong, that's why I came running-"

"Yeah, no, I don't wanna go there. It was just an observation. I think you've noticed that sometimes my mouth moves faster than my brain. New subject. Do you want some breakfast?" She asked as they moved from the hallway down the stairs to the living area.

"No thanks. I'm just gonna head in to the station and get some work done. I'm taking a half day today so I'm just gonna update some case notes, and then take the rest of the day off."

"You're not going like that, I hope," she said, pointing at his clothing. He looked down at himself before looking back at her. "What's wrong with what I'm wearing?"

"Only the fact that you wore it yesterday. You work with detectives who are paid to be observant. You really want to open yourself to harassment about why you're in the same clothes you had on yesterday?"

"I didn't even think about that. Good point. I guess next time, I'll have to bring a change of clothes." They smiled at each other in amusement as he continued, "Yeah, I really did say that out loud."

"You sure did. And you're right, I guess next time you'll have to." They began laughing again at all the things going unspoken and the innuendos being tossed around.

"I guess that's not the only thing I need to remember for next time," Dante teased, wiggling his eyebrows at her suggestively.

"And on that note, you've gotta go. Don't even start with me," she countered with a grin.

"I don't think starting is my problem—next time I've gotta be able to finish."

"Ok, seriously," she said as she pushed him toward the front door, "You're out of here!" She opened the door, leaning on it as she stood behind it and watched him walk out. He stopped halfway and turned back. "So I'll see you later?"

"Yeah. See you later." Instead of a goodbye kiss, he rubbed his thumb over her lips before tapping her on the chin. He gave her a wink, and walked to the elevator.

Valerie closed the door and blew out a breath. "Whoo, that man," she thought. But what a nice way to start the morning…

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Later on in the day, Valerie and Jordan were taking a steam in the steam room of the Port Charles Spa and Fitness Club after a few rousing sets of racquetball, most of which Jordan won. Since they were the only two in the steam room, Jordan sat back against the bench, leaning propped up on her elbows with her legs stretched out while Val lay on her back with her hands under her head. Jordan was saying, "It's a good thing I'm going to the salon tomorrow. My hair is going to be thrashed! Why did I let you talk me into coming in here?"

"It's cleansing—good for the pores. Your toxins are being released even as we speak. Doesn't the steam make you feel rejuvenated, invigorated?"

"Ok, you sound like you're on something—don't make me have you drop in a cup! Keep talking like that and you're getting drug tested. You've been all 'bouncy' all day. What's up with you?"

"I can't be in a good mood for a change?"

"Exactly. With everything that's going on, why are you in such a good mood? Or should I ask you who's got you in such a good mood?"

"All right, I'll spill, but don't go off on me, ok? Dante spent the night last night."

"Valerie, damn-"

"No, no, wait! It wasn't like that! Well, it kind of was, but it mostly wasn't."

"Ok, I'd say the likelihood of you getting tested is increasing. Are you even trying to make sense? Girl, I thought we talked about this! What do you think you're doing?"

"I invited him over for dinner. That's all, just dinner. We had a nice time, and he was feeling relaxed-"

"I'll bet he was!"

"—so he asked if he could stay over. On the couch. Just to sleep. Which I thought was fine."

"Uh huh. So where does the bouncing all over the place come in to it?"

"I had a dream, which he thought was a nightmare, so he came in to check on me, and-"

"And?" Jordan rolled her finger over and over as she encouraged, "Come on, let's hear it."

"Andonethingledtoanotherandwealmostdidit," said Val in one breath.

"What?"

"We almost had sex. But we stopped. And that's it."

"Somehow I think there's more to the story, but listen. This guy is in the middle of a divorce; his feelings are all over the place. I think you're setting yourself up for some major heartache. Who put a stop to it?"

"I did. He didn't have any condoms, so-"

"And that's the only reason you stopped? Lord help us. He hasn't even broken away emotionally from his wife yet-"

"A few weeks ago I might have agreed with you, but now, I'm not so sure. I think he's really ready to move on from Lulu-"

"Your cousin, Lulu, by the way-"

"Yes, my cousin—I haven't forgotten that part—and I think his feelings for me might be getting, I don't know, bigger or something? He's affectionate and touchy and when we're together..."

"Yeah, girl, 'cause he wants the drawls. That's SOP when a guy wants the drawls, to be all 'touchy-feely when you're together'."

"I've been around a few guys—I can tell when a guy's just being sleazy and when he's being sincere. Most of the time. I think his affections are real. It doesn't feel like he just wants to hook up."

"Ok. Well you know I'm here for you when this thing goes pear-shaped. I think you should let him sort out his drama before jumping into anything with him, that's my advice. If whatever this is is there before his divorce, it'll be there after it."

"I hear you, and I'm being careful. I told Sonny the same thing…"

"Sonny? What's he got to do with anything?"

"He asked to meet with me earlier in the week. He wanted to thank me for being a support for Dante. And he warned me to be careful because of the emotional minefield, which I told him I would. And I plan to be. I'm not trying to get hurt here, but I don't intend to miss out, either, if Dante wants to be with me."

"Well the youngest ones are the hardest-headed, so do your thing. If Sonny approached you, though, he's probably got some kind of angle he's working that you can't see. I'd be careful of that, too. Now can we finally get out of this steam? I've been rejuvenated and invigorated enough for one day."

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After she and Jordan got seated, Valerie looked around the room at Kelly's Diner with an air of nervousness. She really wasn't in the mood to run into Lulu, Maxie, or any variation thereof. They both decided on chai tea, a recent addition to the menu. "I still don't see why we couldn't have gone back to my place," Val said, still furtively scanning the room.

"Your place? Now how would it look for the Commissioner of the Port Charles Police Department to be enjoying the hospitality of a known crime boss, even if he doesn't live there? Somehow I'm not in the mood to be explaining to the ever skulking media hounds that I was only spending time with a friend and not consorting with the enemy. Not to mention the fact that it would be kind of hypocritical for me to be hanging out there, since I'm dedicating myself to taking him and his cronies down." She took a sip of the chai and nodded in appreciation of the refreshing tea.

"I've heard the stories, and even Dante warned me not to be fooled by the charm, but Sonny just doesn't seem like such a bad guy to me. I know he's a mob boss, but-"

"That's where we part company, Val. Charm is well and good, but what he does behind the scenes isn't charming at all. Don't lose sight of that. Last thing you need to become is some kind of mob sympathizer. It's bad enough I'm trying to get T.J. to see sense—I shouldn't have the same problem with someone who works in the department."

"I'm not saying I'm ready to join his organization or anything, but I can see why people are conflicted about him, that's all."

"He shot Dante in the chest, did Dante tell you that?"

"Wow, no, he didn't. That's crazy. But then I wonder why he even deals with him? Why isn't he locked up? It doesn't make sense."

"Look, they're father and son—it's complicated. Sonny was never indicted for it. Long story, believe me, according to the rumor mill. I'm just saying that's what that 'seemingly good guy' is capable of. I don't want you to end up caught in the middle of mob crossfire before you realize what a dangerous man Sonny Corinthos is. He's willing to allow you to stay in his penthouse—fine. Enjoy his hospitality. Just never forget who he really is, ok? A ruthless man who does whatever he has to to get whatever he wants. And he called you for a meeting, did he? I wonder what he really wants from you?"

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All kinds of thoughts were swirling around in Valerie's head as she returned to the penthouse, mostly concerning this new information about Sonny and Dante. She and Jordan had finally parted company after they finished their tea at Kelly's, but not before Jordan's final shot, "This thing with Dante—I get it. He's fine as hell. And maybe he will go through with the divorce, even though he and his wife have a lot of history, as well as a son together. He might even turn to you. Just don't let yourself be his rebound, ok? You're worth more than that. Have fun with him. But don't be the one standing alone in the rubble of your life realizing that he was only using you to get over her, you tracking me?"

"I'm tracking you, boss. I don't intend to be."

She entered the house and saw that her answering machine light was blinking. Listening to the message, she was instructed to call the front lobby desk at her earliest convenience. When she called, she was told that a delivery would be arriving shortly at her door. Responding to the doorbell, Valerie was met at the door by George, the Harbor View Towers evening concierge. After greeting her, he handed her a bouquet of dark pink roses, saying, "These came for you a few hours ago, Miss Spencer. There was also a card"—he fumbled in his inner coat pocket—"that came with it. Enjoy your evening." "Thank you, George," she replied before closing the door and carrying the vase over to the dining table. Val opened the envelope and read the card. "Somehow, for all you did for me last night, 'Thank You' seems inadequate. The florist said pink roses are sent to show appreciation and gratitude, both of which I wanted to convey. They're beautiful, aren't they? Enjoy—D." "Whoo, that man," she thought for the second time that day. He really knew how to turn it on.

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