Breaking Her Own Rules

15

"Don't worry about Nicholas. I have it covered." I heard Denny through the phone as I sat on my bed, folding my washing.

"I said I could handle it."

"He is my family, Harvey. I will deal with it. When I'm done, he will be regretting his words."

"Fine." I sighed as I folded a shirt.

The line was silent for a minute and I felt awkward. I don't talk to my clients over the phone.

"Harvey?"

"I'm still here." I answered, my phone wedged between my shoulder and good cheek, looking at my bra, frowning. The wire had come out.

"Would you like to do dinner?"

I froze as I was in the process of throwing my bra off my bed. "Dinner?"

"Yes. Dinner. The meal people eat at night."

I could hear the humour in his voice. "Denny, you know my rules." I eventually sighed out, throwing the bra.

"Yes. But rules can be broken."

I squeezed my eyes shut for a brief second. "Why play around with a system that works?"

"Exactly, when you can improve it."

I grimaced. "Do you mean to say that I need improving?"

"No. But your rules do."

I could tell he was teasing me. "Fine." I groaned out. "But I'm only bending one rule, Denny."

"Great. I'll pick you up at five."

"Where?"

"I can get you from the manor." Denny offered and I paused.

"No. My place. Now I have to go bra shopping." I muttered as I threw another one.

"Are you hinting at something?" Denny chuckled.

"No. If you must know, I'm sitting on my bed, doing my washing and two of my bras have busted." I said in a matter of fact tone. "I'll see you tonight, Denny Mason." I hung up and dropped my phone on my bed before rubbing my face with both hands. What did I agree to?

Why am I bending my own rules? I never have before.

****

I heard the knock on my door as I paced. Why am I nervous? "Come on Brielle." I said to myself. "Just pretend it's a job. Yeah, a job."

I quickly checked myself out in the mirror before opening the door. I had pulled my hair back, spraying it with hairspray to keep my fringe out off my face. Hopefully it will be long enough soon.

"Hey." I smiled at Denny. "I'm ready." I closed the door behind me and fixed up my little bag.

"You look nice." Denny smiled as he took my arm.

"Thank you. You scrub up alright too." I remarked at him, grinning as we went to the car.

Denny grinned. "Yeah, it was so hard trying to find the right shirt."

I let out a low and small chuckle as Denny opened the passenger door of a silver car.

"Is this yours as well?" I asked as I slipped in.

"Yeah." He answered as he closed my door and went to the driver's side.

"We aren't showing off our driving skills tonight, are we?"

Denny laughed as he started the car up. "Not tonight."

I sighed in relief. "Good. I'm still trying to get my heart beat back to normal."