Danika's Gift Read Free

another.  Even after the divorce, they still looked at each other that way, but there was something else in their eyes I could never understand.  I saw the pain and hurt, and I saw the love, but that other emotion, I didn’t grasp.  It was the same look in Mr. Hottie’s eyes that I didn’t recognize. 
    I wished I could read people the way my mom did.  She had her own gifts, you know.  Perhaps not magical or mystical, but she had a way with people that was amazing.  She could understand their emotions, the look in their eyes, their body language.  And, she had an amazing ability to calm others when she spoke.  I always wished my gift was like that; something beautiful and amazing.  And helpful.
    “Dani!”
    “What?”
    “Get the door.”
    Shoot!  I hadn’t even heard the doorbell.  I swung it open quickly, an apology on my lips.  But, the words caught in my throat.   There, standing in the hallway with our pizzas was Mr. Hottie.
    Shit. Shit. Shit.
    My brain stopped working.  I think I even stopped breathing.  Mr. Hottie was frowning, until he looked in my eyes.  Then, his face lit up as he smiled at me like he had done earlier that day.
    “Hey there. Didn’t know if I’d see you again.”
    “Um, yeah.  This is kinda weird.”  Smooth one Dani .  I wanted to smack myself in the forehead.
    “How much do I owe you?”
    “Oh.  That’ll be twenty bucks.”  Maybe I imagined it, but his eyes dimmed for a second.  Was that disappointment?
    “Hold on.”  I stammered as I patted down my pockets.  Where the hell was that money? 
    “Got it, Dani?”  Sam called out as she walked towards me.  She hadn’t seen Mr. Hottie yet.  For some reason, I didn’t want her to.  She was a guy magnet with her long strawberry blonde hair, toned athletic body and bright blue eyes.  We rarely went out in public together, but when we did, guys always saw her and not me.  Which was ok, usually.  But for some reason, I wanted Mr. Hottie to like me.  Even if it was only in my imagination and for me to savor in my dreams.
    “Hey.”  Damn, Mr. Hottie saw Sam.  Oh well.
    “Hey, Derek. Didn’t know you delivered pizzas.”  Sam was aloof, not flirty at all.  I was confused and at the same time relieved.  I ran back to the couch and found the money on the cushion.  Sam grabbed the pizzas from Derek and placed them on the table.
    “Yeah, just part-time to make some extra cash,” Derek smiled sheepishly.
    “See ya,” Sam said as she waved over her shoulder and walked away from the doorway.
    “Here you go, keep the change.”  I grinned nervously at Derek.  His eyes never left mine as he took the money.  He brushed my fingers with his and an electric jolt shoot up my arm.  Before I could even wonder if he felt it too, I saw his eyes widen and he looked at his hand.  He did feel it.
    “What’s your name?”  His voice was deep, husky and warm.  I felt tingling in my stomach.  I knew he had to hear Sam call me Dani.  Logic was trying to diffuse my nerves.  Maybe he wanted me to tell him instead.  Talk to him.
    “Dani..er, Danika”
    “Very pretty.”  His lips curved upwards.  He held out his hand to shake mine.  “I’m Derek.  It is nice to meet you.”
    “You too.” There it was again, that electric shock.  I pulled my hand away from his quickly.  I felt my face flame.   I didn’t know what else to say, my brain had jumped ship apparently, leaving me a brainless, weak-kneed, tingling mess.
    Derek’s cell phone chirped and his smile dropped.  “Duty calls, more pizzas to deliver.”  He flashed me a sexy grin.  “See you in class tomorrow?”
    “ Yeah.” I had forgotten I completely changed my schedule.  Like I said, my brain was M.I.A.
    “Night , Danika.  Enjoy.” He winked at me, again, then turned and walked away.
    I closed the door, leaned back against it and held back a scream.  I was blushing, my knees were weak and crap, I had told him I’d see him