Free SecondSightDating by Marianne Stephens Page A

she had said she and Sean weren’t
actually on a date.
    This whole “sight” thing didn’t sit right with
Dan. Hell, Monica had nothing in common with him. She wasn’t his type at all.
He preferred someone like, well, Serena.
    But, how could he fall for a fraud?
    * * * * *
    Serena thanked Dan for the ride when they parked next to her
car. A near-blinding headache would only subside as soon as she could put the
disastrous evening behind her. She opened the car door and scooted out of the
seat.
    “I’m sorry the night didn’t go as planned. I’ll call
tomorrow to set up your next dinner date.”
    “That’ll be fine, as long as you tag along, too. Now that
you’ve seen me in action, you have to admit I need help.”
    Maybe. Maybe not if it’s just a game.
    “We’ll practice again before going out. And, don’t worry. I
definitely will bring a date and make it a party of four.”
    With a fake smile, Serena slammed the car door shut,
purposefully staying rooted to the ground while waving to Dan as he drove away.
Maybe now the pounding in her head would stop.
    Instead of going right home, she’d make a quick stop into
her office. There she’d pull out the file for Miss “E”.
    Serena reviewed their evening, wondering how it had gone
from anxious to flop. Could Dan be so much of a loser he just didn’t have any
charm to throw at women?
    He’d been more interested in his food than the blonde, who
happened to be a model. Didn’t he find her attractive?
    Hmm. Maybe beauty didn’t interest him. Perhaps his mode of
operation dictated he approach and dazzle plain-looking women, ones who might
be thrilled at his attention. He was, after all, a handsome man. Someone she
found herself attracted to.
    He came across as tongue-tied, unable to dish out any
credible compliment to a female date. Then again, he did say some nice things
to her. But, that could just be part of his devious plan, a ruse to win Serena
over and throw her off from following his true agenda.
    Mike. She had to talk to her brother about the whole
situation. Serena took the file already in hand, then hurried into the back
room. Once there, she picked out files for Miss “X” and Gino, Mr. “Eight”. Mike
might need to read about the women Dan would be meeting. He’d probably find it
important to know about his alter ego, Gino, just in case he and Dan ever
appeared in the same spot again.
    Her mind kept replaying the events of the evening as she
drove home. While pleasant and attentive to her, Dan acted like a naïve clod
when it came to his date. He welcomed Sean, never hinting he’d viewed him as a
rival.
    As she drove home, Serena inhaled a deep, shaky breath,
speculating over whether or not Dan could be unbelievably dense but legit. Her
body and soul urged her to trust him. Alan’s betrayal came to mind, but somehow
Dan never gave out the same type of negative vibes her former lover sent her
way.
    Those thoughts kept swimming in her head as she entered her
apartment, searching for her brother’s comforting aura and the reassurance of
her sanity.
    * * * * *
    Dan crouched down in the driver’s seat, certain that Serena
hadn’t spotted him. He’d found her sweater in his car and driven back to the
parking lot just as she’d driven away. Following her, he decided to use
returning the garment as a ruse to maybe check out her apartment.
    He peeked out just as she’d knocked on her own door, only to
have it opened by “Gino”. The man had smiled and planted a kiss on her
forehead.
    Strange. A kiss on the head. Didn’t seem to be the
passionate type of kiss he’d give Serena if given the chance.
    Grabbing the sweater, Dan exited his car and headed for her
first floor apartment. The blinds were partially opened so he glanced inside,
curiosity and a tinge of jealousy getting the better of him.
    Jealousy crept through his body. He wanted her. She couldn’t
be involved in any crime ring. Desiring a woman on the wrong side of a case
wasn’t an