Welcoming (Part 1 of 4)

Chapter 3

Chapter Three

(Danny)

I knocked on the door just a little past seven.  "Ronnie?  Are you ready?"

The door opened suddenly, allowing a gush of wind to push through her black and blonde hair.  She wore a pair of tattered jeans and a black denim vest which pushed her clevage towards her chin.  She had tried hopelessly to tidy her face, applying only a small amount of make up.  Her hair tied in a half pony-tail allowing her bangs and a few strands to fall around her ears.

"You look much better than I do."  She replied sheepishly.

"Hey, I think you look beautiful.  And my opinion is the only one that matters right?"  I lifted her chin towards my face, my eyes darting between hers.  She nodded in response.

I took her hand in mine and walked her down the hallway and to railing over the stairs.  Below came a thunder of whistles and applauses.

"Look at that hottie!"  Jordan screamed.

Jorel nudged him in the rib cage.  Ronnie gripped my hand tighter in response.  "It's ok.  I'm right here I promise."

I led her down the stairs and into the crowd of my roommates.  "That's the hottest date I've ever seen." Dylan smiled.

"Can you guys promise that we'll come home to a house that doesn't look like a natural disaster?"  I raised an eyebrow.

"Can't promise.  Only that you'll come home to a house." Jordan grinned.

"We'll see you guy later."

The restaurant was unsually busy, most likely word has spread that Danny Murrillo was to be dining there.  But I had already prepared for this to happen and had requested a private room, one where we would have as much privacy as we wanted.

Ronnie sat across from me, playing nervously with her glass of champagne.  "Sweetie, try to relax.  You're having dinner with an old friend."

"I wish I wasn't an old friend."

"I know.  But a friend nonetheless."

"I wish I would have called more, it's just...he wouldn't let me."

"Hey, I understand.  From what you told me on the phone I think I understand completely.  But like I said, you're safe with us.  We wouldn't do anything to hurt you."

"I know.  It's just all at once, I guess."

"They're a lot to take in.  But if you tell them to back off they'll listen.  Whatever they do they do it just because they think it will help you out.  Ya know what I mean?"

"I think so.  I promise I won't stay long."

"I already told you, take as much time as you need to get back on your feet.  Who knows before long you might just be joining in their crazy antics."  I hopelessly tried to joke.

"Thanks." The waiter returned with our food.  I could tell that Ronnie had chosen the cheapest thing on the menu, regardless if she liked it or not.  She was determined not to take more of a hand-out than she thought she deserved.

She twisted her fork through the salad.

"You can order something else if you don't like that."

"I like it...I'm just not that hungry I guess."

"We can always take it home and you can eat it later.  Did you ever try some of George's cooking?"  She shook her head slightly.  "He's a pretty decent cook.  Has to be though, otherwise I think Jordan would starve.  That man eats whatever George cooks.  Hell, I think he would eat anything if it weren't nailed down."