Chasing Love and Labels in NYC: Chapter 9

Chapter 9

Dani promised Evie that she would meet her for dinner on Friday night, after that she was meeting the girls at an 80's themed party. The 80's attire was optional and Dani opted not to wear it, she always thought she looked awful in most things 80's. Instead she put on some hunter green Express dress shorts that met a little above her mid-thigh, an off the shoulder quarter-sleeve white tee that she ordered from Boston Proper, then added a MaxMara weekend Moena double buckle braided cognac belt and Yves Saint Laurent cognac leather Tribute platform sandals. She put on her gold hops; an Ippolita rose sterling silver large crystal pendant necklace and chose her beloved but old yellow Balenciaga motorcycle bag.

On her way to DBGB Kitchen and Bar to meet Evie, Dani had time to reflect on her life and her decisions over the last few months. She had been doing that a lot lately. She couldn't believe that she had only about a week left of her leave. Time had flown by so quickly. She also had time to think about the ridiculous amounts of money she had been spending on shopping since she started working at Practical. She always loved all things designer, but she rarely purchased things she couldn't wear to work especially over the last couple years. And she certainly couldn't wear the $900 Yves Saint Laurent leather platform sandals she was wearing to work at the law office. She loved the freedom she had in choosing clothes to wear to Practical. They were so unlike the clothes she wore to Lawson & Liebers, however she couldn't afford such luxuries if she actually only made the salary she was being paid at Practical.

Her pay was based on a higher per year pay scale which she even knew was a stretch for the magazine. Tara made the offer as sweet as she could and the fact that Dani had a law degree from Columbia was factored in as was the fact that she really didn't need the job. She knew she was highly paid at the law firm; she reached six figures a few times over the previous year. Sure she had investments that her father made in Dani and Kris's name years ago with the money their grandmother left them, but she never wanted to be in a position where she had to depend on the money. Unlike Kris who supported her lifestyle with it, but had absolutely no savings in her bank account at all much less for retirement. Daniela knew she likely couldn't make what she was making anywhere else and while she wasn't in love with the job, she was good at it and she made a damn good living for herself doing it. The only problem was, it didn't make her very happy, but there was no question in her mind that she would return. She worked hard in law school and worked damn hard when she got out to get where she was. She may have gotten a little burned out but she wasn't quitting.

After dinner she headed to the party. When she got there it didn't take her long to see Kris, Nikki, Nadia, Lexie, and Layla huddled in the middle of the action being crowded by at least a dozen men. They were all in their prime years, twenty-something after all was supposed to be a girl's best years and the girls all looked fabulous.

Nikki was wearing a Forever 21 dress and looked great. When Nikki told Dani that she bought some things from Forever 21, including several dresses Dani was a little surprised and a lot critical, but she kept that part to herself. She always thought the store was for teenagers. However, Nikki did look hot in the white faux wrap sleeveless dress that she dressed up with Dani's multi-chain Lariat Chanel necklace, a pair of black diamond patterned stockings, and Guess platform pumps that had a pretty little zipper detail that formed at bow at the foot. Nikki was certainly a fashionista on a budget. She looked great though, Dani had to admit. Maybe I need to check out Forever 21.

Kris was wearing a very short black BCBGeneration strapless satin dress with silver beaded pockets, black and blue leopard lace Casadei peep toe heels, and very stunning silver crystal Swarovski clutch, but the real show stopper was the pair of antique mid-nineteenth century diamond chandelier earrings she was showing off; earrings that she undoubtedly got from one of the many men that spent their time chasing her.
Nadia of course was wearing a very expensive, well everything. She was wearing a breathtaking black and white subtle plaid Carolina Herrera dress with a very interesting pleated detailing in the front. It was the very dress Dani had her eye on. Nadia had obviously shortened it since it was barely meeting her mid-thigh. Dani knew the dress well. She tried it on twice and she knew very well that it fell right above the knee. She and Nadia were comparable in height so she knew that wasn't the issue. Nadia paired the dress with a patent leather eggplant Chanel belt with the signature gold double C's and Christian Louboutin metallic gold platform pumps. If Dani wasn't jealous before, she was now. Nadia looked great in that outfit and all the men certainly noticed.

Dani felt like she should kick herself for not buying that dress, but she didn't because it was almost $3,000 and she had been spending ridiculous amounts of money on clothing she knew very well she couldn't use when she went back to the law firm. Plus, the price was step anyway. But I could have worn that dress to work! She told herself, although she realized it wouldn't be that sexy because she would have never shortened it.
The twins Lexie and Layla looked stunning as well. Of course they were both clothed in designer labels from head to toe. Lexie was wearing a Jean Paul Gaultier floral cone top dress that Dani found a little odd, but she looked great in it nonetheless. Layla was wearing a burgundy Roberto Cavalli halter dress which she looked absolutely beautiful in. They were both wearing equally stunning pairs of Louboutins which is all the rage after all.

After looking at the girls, Dani suddenly felt poorly dressed. Sure she looked good for a casual night out, but when she compared her outfit with theirs she felt like it was subpar. Oh well, too late now. I'll rock what I've got. She thought as she walked towards the girls.
"Dani!" Nikki yelled when she saw her.
"Finally!" Kris said as she hugged her sister. "I was beginning to think you weren't coming!"

"Oh honey, were you planning on coming? What's with the shorts?" Nadia asked her in the very inquisitive way that Dani learned was her way of saying "what the hell were you thinking?"
"Leave her alone, she looks great. If I had her legs I'd be wearing a pair of short shorts too!" Layla offered, coming to her rescue.

"You definitely have a pair of great legs! I wouldn't want to cover them either." Lexie said as she hugged Dani. "Honey, you look damn good. Like a breath of fresh air. Every damn woman here is wearing a stunning dress. I wish I had on a pair of shorts or even pants right now. I hate being lost in a crowd!"

"Dani, where's your drink? We need to get you one at once. They have great Appletini's here. They're garnished with real apples and cherries and everything! I'm loving these things!" Nadia said as she grabbed Dani's arm.
"I can attest to that. She's already had like three." Nikki said teasingly but honestly as Dani and Nadia left to go get drinks.

"So, do you guys really think it's a good idea that Dani drink tonight?" Layla asked worriedly.
"I don't know. As long as she doesn't overdo it I guess. She never used to drink this much, much less get trashed like she's been doing. She put down a very large bottle of wine last night. We're watching her, but I think she'll stop drinking when she goes back to the law firm next week. I think she's been on vacation and going through a lot. At least I hope that's what it is." Kris said as she finished her drink.

"I don't know. Not only has she been drinking a lot, she's been shopping a lot. I think she's spent close to like $20,000 in the last month on clothes, shoes, purses, and whatever else. Maybe more I don't know. I suspect this has more to do with Adam than anything. From personal experience, I know that when things were bad with Ben, I would use smoking and other bad habits as an outlet so I could avoid thinking about reality." Nikki said as she looked towards the bar where Dani and Nadia were getting drinks.

"That's so not the same thing." Kris said as she looked at Nikki and rolled her eyes.
"I think it is." Nikki said in a curt tone.
"I think Nikki maybe on to something. You should have seen her last weekend, she was trashed." Lexie offered.

"Yeah, she was. Adam had to come get her. It was that bad." Layla told them not really knowing what to think of it all. Dani was her friend, she didn't want to see her become a raging alcoholic, but what she knew of Dani she didn't think Dani would let it go that far.

Lexie and Layla told Nikki and Kris about the night when Adam had to go get Dani from the bar to bring her home. Both the girls were surprised by two things, the fact that Dani got that trashed and that Adam was the one that went to get her. Dani didn't let them in on that tid bit of information. Nadia and Dani soon joined the girls and they quickly changed the subject trying not to let Dani know what they were talking about. Nikki and Dani brought all the girls more drinks and happily handed them out like two good waitresses.

The party was packed and the 80's theme was in full swing. Many people had chosen to even dress the part. They had fun at the party and best of all, there was no sign of Adam. Dani couldn't help but feel relieved.

The girls were discussing clothes when Nikki asked Dani "Where's your black vintage Gucci clutch?"
"In my closet why?"
"Well because I was looking for it. I thought it would be subtle enough to go with my outfit, but I couldn't find it."

It was at that moment that Dani remembered she left it at Adam's the Friday night before. "Shit!" She said rather loudly. All the girls looked at her thinking something was seriously wrong. Nikki looked at her. "What? What's wrong? Did you lose it?" Dani shook her head. "I fucking left it at Adams. Damn it. I love that clutch and it's not as if it's really replaceable. It's vintage!"

"Damn. You have to get it."
"I know. I'll have to just go over there and get it."
"Are you going to call him? He has to know that you left it."
"I'm sure, but since he's avoiding me I guess he figured he'd rather ignore me than have to call me to tell me."
"How about we drop in there tomorrow and pick it up?"

"Thank you. That would be great. Maybe tomorrow morning before breakfast so we can catch him home."
"Okay, that works." Then Nikki thought about his girlfriend and hoped to God she wouldn't be there when they just popped up.

The girls continued drinking and mingling while Dani opted to try to ignore most of the men due to her resolution of no dating for a month. She liked talking and laughing with the girls. It was much-needed girl bonding time. She loved her new circle; she put friends and a social life on the back burner for so long that she had forgotten what it was like to have a circle of friends to do things with. Sure Kris had always been there, as did Nikki, but Nikki lived in Chicago for years. Of course she could always go to Nadia for anything, but she had neglected their friendship for a long time. Nadia understood that Dani was just dedicated, very dedicated to her career. Dani had always tried to see Kris and Nadia once a month, but she hadn't had much time for either one of them.

It was around one when Dani found herself sitting in a very comfy chair looking out at the city. The girls were all off talking and mingling, mostly with men. Dani was drinking and started thinking about Adam, she didn't know why but whenever she drank she thought about him. She just couldn't understand him. What the hell happened? She couldn't help but question herself. Everything had been so perfect those few days they spent together. She just couldn't figure out what happened to change things all of a sudden. As she thought more about it, she drank more. She was literally on her ninth drink of the night when Kris walked up and grabbed the glass out of her hand.

"Dani, what the fuck are you doing? I've watched you order drink after drink. What is this? Number ten, eleven, fifteen?"
Dani was drunk and didn't feel like arguing. "What are you the drink police now? Number nine Kris. You act as though I've committed a crime. It's not as though I'll be driving anywhere so what is the harm? And why do you care?"

Kris tried to be sympathetic to Dani, but she just wanted her to snap out of it. "I just think you've been overdoing it on the drinks lately. Nikki is going home. Do you want to go with her?"

Dani just shrugged her shoulders. "I guess. Where are you going?"
"Me, Layla, and Lexie are going with some people to get something to eat." Kris told her as she grabbed Dani by the arm to help her stand up.
"Oh ok. Where's Nikki? And where's Nadia? I haven't seen her in a while." Dani said as she stood up and stumbled, but Kris caught her and of course shook her head and shot her a very disappointed look.

"Nadia left a while ago with one of the New York Jets players. And Nikki is coming." Kris said as she rolled her eyes and grabbed Dani's arm again, she let go for a short time but it was clear Dani needed some assistance. "Stop drinking so much! Damn Dani! I can't believe I have to tell you of all people this!"
Dani had a good mind to pull her arm away from Kris but even she knew if she did that she may fall. "Don't lecture me Kris. I've known you to drink till you puked and passed out so I don't want any bull shit lectures from you."

Kris had a very concerned expression on her face. "Yeah, I can't deny that but that was a while ago and I wasn't trying to drink away my problems."
"What the hell is that supposed to mean?"

"You know what that means. Adam, Scott, your work situation... I think it's taking its toll on you. The shopping, the drinking... you're out of control and you need to pull it together before you go back to work at your real job next week." Kris scolded as Nikki walked up.
"Don't you dare scold me Kris! I can spend my money as I see fit and I can certainly drink as much as I want. And I should be able to spend and drink without any bull shit input from anyone, including you!"
"Okay girls, break it up. Bye Kris. Have fun and be careful." Nikki said as she took Dani's arm and guided her out.

It was eight in the morning when Nikki burst into Dani's room and opened the drapes to let the light in.

"Good morning sunshine!" Nikki said in a disgustingly upbeat tone, way to upbeat for the morning. "What the hell are you doing?" Dani asked in a husky voice as she put a pillow over her head to block the light. Nikki took a deep breath before she responded. "We're supposed to go to breakfast, remember? And before that... to Adam's to get your clutch." She cringed for a moment not knowing how Dani was going to respond.

Dani felt her whole body tense up at the thought of having to face Adam. "Shit. Shit. Shit. I want that damn purse, but I don't want to see Adam to get it." Dani said as she lifted the pillow off her face. Nikki turned her face to the side and looked down. "Well I think you either face him and get it or kiss the purse goodbye." Dani managed to pull the covers off and sit at the edge of the bed. "Damn it. Can't you just go get it for me?"

Nikki laughed at the thought. "Um, no. I will not show up at his door asking for your clutch. I could just see it now. 'Um hi. Remember me? You know, Dani's cousin that clearly disliked you. Well I need Dani's purse that she left here back. She didn't want to see you so she sent me. Thanks.' Not happening. You are doing your own dirty work."

Dani laughed, it was a funny visual. "Well that would be pretty damn hilarious. Fine, let me get up and pretty myself up. I really didn't feel like wearing heels today but I guess I will if I'm seeing him." Nikki shook her head at Dani's silliness; at the end of her and Ben's relationship she couldn't care less if he saw her sporting a trash bag. "You're ridiculous." Nikki said as she walked out.

Dani stood in the shower thinking about what she was going to wear. She didn't want to overdo it to make Adam think she got dressed up to see him and she didn't want to look too casual either. She decided on her black crop J Brand high rise skinny pants and an Alfani tiered flowy white sleeveless top, her brand new gray flannel espadrille Louboutin peep toe booties, a silver feather diamond encrusted necklace coupled with her timelessly classic Chanel pearls, and Foley + Corinna Grande Street Mid City Tote with leather crisscross straps and silver rectangular studs. She looked in the mirror and fiddled with her hair. She decided on a small pouf at the top and a ponytail. She figured. This is as good as it is gonna get today.

Dani's heart pounded on the way to Adam's. She was so nervous her palms were sweating. When they arrived at his building Dani just stood there looking up at it. A building had never been so intimidating before. The cold cement exterior sent chills racing down her body. Her heart was pounding so hard she felt as if it was going come out of her chest and on top of all that she was so anxious she felt nauseous. Nikki looked at Dani and began to worry. "Dani, are you alright? You're shaking." Dani just looked at her and looked back at the building. "Dani, are you sure you want to do this?" Nikki began to second guess the decision. Was a purse really worth this? "I'm okay. We'll just go up there get the purse and leave, right? It won't be that bad. I mean I have to get over him. I can't keep letting him get to me like this."

When they got up to Adam's door Dani just stood there. "Dani, we don't have to do this." Nikki said as she saw that this was clearly having negative impact on Dani. Dani said in a low voice. "Yeah we do. I want the purse back."

She knocked but no one answered. They were walking away when they heard someone open the door. They stopped in their tracks and looked back. Dani's pulse was racing, she felt as though she was going to pass out. She was so nervous her legs felt weak.

"Dani?" Adam looked shocked to see her.
"Hi Adam." She said back in a low voice.
"What are you doing here?"

Suddenly Dani was speechless. She was feeling so anxious that she couldn't speak. She thanked God when Nikki piped up. "We dropped by to get Dani's purse. She left it here last weekend and well... it's not only Gucci but its vintage Gucci so..." She let her voice trail hoping he would just give her the purse so they could leave.

"Oh. That's why you're here? To get a purse?" Adam said as he shot a disgusted look at Dani.
"Yeah, so if you can just go get it we'll get out of your hair." Nikki said trying to be as diplomatic as possible.

Adam smashed his lips together and looked at Dani. "What is this? You can't talk for yourself?"
Nikki intervened once again. "That's not it at all. She's just not feeling well. Like I said if we can just get the purse we'll leave. We don't want to cause any problems."

Dani just stood there with her head down like a child. She was almost in tears. Why the hell did she have to fall part like this? Adam just shook his head. "Well let me go look for it. I saw it around here somewhere." He knew full well where it was. He had debated dropping by her house to give it to her, but never worked up the courage.

Adam was still standing in the doorway when Dani looked up at him and saw a girl in the background standing there in nothing but his button down shirt that was barely buttoned. When Dani's eyes widened and her mouth dropped it caused Adam to look behind him.

Dani looked at the girl then looked at Adam and then looked at the girl again. Nikki noticed what was going on and tried to intervene before anything happened. "Adam, if we can just get that purse so we can leave. Please." Adam didn't acknowledge Nikki he just stood there looking at Dani. Dani finally looked down in disbelief. She was breathing heavily and her heart was racing and she started to sweat. She raised her hand to wipe off the perspiration from forehead then looked back at Adam. She had so many thoughts running through her head. She had suspected he was seeing someone else after she hadn't heard from him but the reality hurt like hell anyway. Nadia warned her that he was the womanizing type. The girl had moved closer and was standing in the kitchen looking out the door.

"Adam, can I just have my purse so we can leave?" Dani finally asked. She was just pissed at that point.
"Oh you want to talk now? Suddenly feeling better?" Adam asked her.
"Please Adam. If you could just give me my purse we'll leave and I will never bother you again."
"Oh that's right, you have moved on to bigger and better people now."

Dani just couldn't resist. "Adam, what are you talking about? You're the one that has moved on to other people, case and point, the woman standing in your kitchen now in nothing but your shirt looking out at us!" Adam took a step towards her. "Well at least she's not your boss I guess." Dani stepped back suddenly feeling very uncomfortable. His stance was intimidating, almost threatening. "What is that supposed to mean?"

He stood up straight then looked away. "Don't play dumb with me Dani. I know you went on a date with my boss. It wasn't bad enough that you were going on a date with another guy, it had to be my boss?" He asked as he turned back to look at her again.

"Shit." Dani said as she closed her eyes realizing he obviously found out about the date with Alex. "That's all you have to say? Really? It was so nice to find out that the woman I just spent the night with was dating my damn boss! I looked like a damn fool!"

"First, I did agree to a date with Alex, but I didn't know he was your boss. I knew he worked with you, but I didn't know he was your boss until now. Second, I agreed to the date a while ago. Before you and I started seeing each other again... well if you can even call it that. And third, I had forgotten about the date and when I remembered I called him immediately and canceled it. And lastly and most importantly you have a girlfriend and I can see who I want when I want too." Dani was practically yelled the last part, she was steaming.

Adam stood there looking at her, but this time he was the one that was speechless. "Oh suddenly you're the one with nothing to say? Can I just have my purse so I can go please? No point in arguing about something that doesn't even matter now." Dani barked.

Adam's expression changed from angry to remorseful. He closed his eyes for a moment and pressed them together tightly. Then he opened them and took a step closer to Dani. "You never went on the date?" She took a deep breath and then shook her head. "No, I didn't. I called him on Tuesday afternoon and canceled it. Then, like a love sick puppy dog I ended things with Brad on Wednesday all to be slapped in the face with reality when I didn't hear from you again. It was then that I finally realized that you really don't ever want to be with me. You use me."

Nikki stood there listening to the conversation as did the girl Adam had in his apartment. She knew that Dani needed to get as far away from Adam as possible.

Adam pulled Dani into his arms and held her like he just found his lost dog. "I'm so sorry. I don't know what else to say." Dani looked up at him with his arms still around her.

"There's nothing else to say Adam. You ignored me instead of asking me about the date. You have a girlfriend you won't break up with and to top it all off you slept with someone else. It doesn't even matter now. I really need to go. Please, please, may I have my purse so I can leave?" Dani said as she pulled away from him.

"I think it does matter. I made a mistake, a stupid mistake. Please Dani. Can we please talk about this?"
"There's nothing to talk about. You have hurt me over and over again. This was the last straw. I'd just like my purse so I can go. After this, I don't ever want to see you again."
"You don't mean that. You can't mean that."

"I mean it Adam. I can't allow you to keep doing this to me. My relationship with you over the last couple months has been a roller coaster ride and I just can't do this anymore. I'm sick and tired of it. I'm sick and tired of thinking we're finally getting close all to be ignored until you feel like contacting me again. And I'm really sick of the game you play with me. Do you want me? Or do you want Elsa? Now there's yet another person! It just has to stop."

Adam hugged Dani, but she pushed him off and walked into his apartment. "I'll get my purse myself." As she walked in she recognized who the girl was in the kitchen, it was one of the girls that she had seen Adam talking to at a party. She nearly stopped in her tracks.

"I'm sorry. I'll leave as soon as I get my purse." Dani said as she walked into the bedroom. She looked around but she couldn't find it. Adam walked into the room after her. "Adam, please give me purse so I can leave and you can get back to whomever that is." He began getting very loud. "No, we need to talk." His tone frightened Dani, but she wasn't about to sit there and talk to him, especially while he had some woman in the other room. "It's over between us. I'm not going to be your friend with benefits!" Dani said as she found her purse in his nightstand drawer. "No it's not! Goddamn it! Would you please stop and talk to me!" Adam shouted at Dani.

"I've had enough of this shit Adam! I'm leaving." Dani said as she walked out of the bedroom and towards the front door where Nikki was standing.

"Dani, wait! Please." Adam said as he followed her.
Dani rushed towards the door. "It's over Adam. This isn't right. Not to me, not to whomever you were with last night, not to your girlfriend, not to anyone. Please forget me." Dani said as Nikki opened the door.

Adam grabbed Dani's wrist as she was leaving. "It's not over!" She jerked her arm away. "Don't you dare grab me like that!"

Adam lost it and picked up his coffee mug that was sitting on the large island and threw it into the cabinets in anger. Then he picked up a wine glass and threw that too. All the girls stood completely frozen in shock. None of them had ever seen him that mad before.

As Dani and Nikki were walking out the front door Adam grabbed Dani from behind and wrapped his arms around her waist then laid his head on hers.

"Please don't do this." Adam whispered in her ear as Dani fought to get away from him.

He finally released her and Dani and Nikki left. When Nikki looked over at Dani she noticed tears were falling. Nikki pressed the down button at the elevator bank and then took Dani by the hand. They rode down in silence. Nikki didn't know what to think about the situation with Adam. She could see why Dani had been so conflicted when it came to Adam. He was extremely confusing; Nikki figured he probably didn't know that the hell he wanted. Dani and Adam's relationship was far more complicated than she initially thought.

They were silent until they were completely out of the building. Nikki looked at Dani and tried to wipe the smudges the tears caused to Dani's makeup. "Well I have four glorious words for you. Bloody Marys. Mimosas. Bergdorf's." Dani half smiled. "Wow, you really know the way to my heart."

"Hey, I try! I'm starved, you? How's brunch and lots of strong drinks?"
"That sounds really good." Then the tears started pouring again. Dani was so hurt.
"Oh honey, I'm so sorry."

Dani tried to stop the tears from falling and took a deep breath. "Me either. How naïve. I should have anticipated that I guess. He's Adam after all."
"Maybe, but you just didn't think he'd have someone else in his bed so quickly. Don't blame yourself."
"Don't blame myself? That's a joke. I deserve this, you know I do. I should have never got involved with someone who had a girlfriend. I think it speaks volumes to my character at this point... I need to find my morals again and move on."