Page 8 of The Fallacy of True Love
“Is Dani on her way?” Luna asked.
“She left the event a while ago, so she should be close,” I said. My phone pinged with a text. Reading it, I got up. “She’s here. I’ll be back in a bit.”
I excused myself and headed out into the main restaurant area. Dani stood at the entrance wearing a cream-colored dress with her hair tied back—the epitome of a poised, gorgeous, unattainable woman.
Doubling my pace, I came up to her and put my hands on her waist. “Hey, Dani.” I leaned to kiss her, but she turned her head before I could make contact.
“We’re in public,” she muttered as she pulled away.
My annoyance spiked. We’d had this talk before, but moments like these always had me wondering if she was ashamed of me and our relationship.
“Sorry I took longer than expected. Dad got into one of his lectures.”
“It’s cool. I’m just glad you’re here now.” Shaking off my annoyance, I led her to the private room.
As we walked together, she whispered, “Are they upset that I missed dinner?”
“No, they know you had a work commitment. Don’t worry about it.” I paused outside the door. “Ready?”
“Yes.” Giving a little nod, she morphed into Danielle Lim. It had freaked me out the first time I saw her transforming into her mom’s clone when she introduced me to her family. I learned it was how she’d been trained to present herself at social gatherings, but she shouldn’t feel the need to put on the act with my siblings.
“They’re going to love you, Dani,” I assured her as I opened the door. To the table, I said, “Everyone, Dani’s here.”
“Hi. I’m so sorry I’m late.” She gave them a smile that might be the same one she gave to her family’s business partners.
They all stood to greet her, and Tala approached first. “Hey, Dani. Don’t worry about it.” Tala pressed her cheek to Dani’s. “I’m glad you could join us.”
“I wouldn’t have missed it,” Dani said.
Luna dashed forward. “It’s so good to finally meet you in person.” She went right in for a hug, and Dani’s shoulders seemed to tighten before relaxing.
“You too. I wish I hadn’t missed you last time.”
“You were with your family, and that’s the most important thing. Thankfully, our schedules worked out now.”
“Yes.” Dani looked at me—rather, my hands—and froze. Turning to Luna, she said, “I have a welcome gift for you, but I left it in the car. Let me call my driver?—”
Luna waved a hand. “Later is okay. That’s so sweet of you to think of that. Thank you.” Putting her hand on Gabe’s arm, she said, “This is my partner, Gabe.”
Gabe held out a hand to Dani. “Nice to meet you, Dani.”
“It’s nice to meet you too.”
Jason greeted Dani last. “Dani, always a pleasure.”
“Likewise.”
Pulling out the seat next to mine, I ushered Dani in and sat down in my own chair once she was seated.
Across the table, Luna grinned at us. “Wow. I’m finally seeing you together with my own two eyes.”
“And you saw our pictures with whose eyes—Gabe’s?” I asked.
Dani nudged my foot with hers, and I gave her an innocent smile.
“You gave me and Gabe a hard time. I get to tease you in return.” To Dani, Luna said, “You’re safe, Dani. It’s just my brother I need to annoy.”
“After what he put you through, that’s fair,” Dani reassured her.
