Two weeks later

Dani sat in the lounge chair outside, enjoying the warm air on her face. Rocco had Gavin for the weekend, and Alyssa was out shopping, so she had the house to herself.

She'd just hung up with Kevin and was glad he was doing well in his new place. He said it was more of a sober house than a rehab center, and he liked that. He said it felt like a family, and Marc felt like a big brother. Marc was surprisingly Rebecca's ex; apparently, they were still friendly.

She'd settled into her new normal here pretty fast, but being here without Rocco was weird. Gavin cried for him sometimes, usually at bath time. The house did feel so off without his presence in it.

Or maybe she just missed him, as much as she tried not to.

Alyssa was a lot better with her now. She still made her snappy and rude comments occasionally, but she was bearable.

She wasn't home a lot, which helped. Dani wasn't sure where she went all the time. It was easier when she wasn't around; she lost her patience too easily when it came to Gavin. She couldn't get over that kids make noise and messes and would snap and hurt his feelings.

The days with Gavin were full and very busy; she figured keeping Gavin's life full and creating good moments for him during all this would help in the long run. Each day she took her role in his life more seriously. She, like Jillian, saw her nephew in need and would fill in for him. It helped, too, that the busier she kept, the less she thought about Rocco.

At least during the day, nights were hard. She was either reliving that horrible confrontation in Dante's office or waking up from wonderful dreams about him that could never be. After that first awkward meeting, she made sure to avoid him during his pickups and drop-offs.

She heard Alyssa's car pulling up and got up to head inside. She grabbed a bottle of chilled water from the fridge and sat down.

"Hey, Dani!" Rebecca walked in first, with Alyssa behind her. They were both carrying shopping bags.

Rebecca was over a lot. Knowing what she did to Dante, Dani tried to dislike her. She really did, but she couldn't help but grow to like her over time, even though she could be gossipy and blunt. She was always kind to her and was good with Gavin as well.

"Wait till you see this." Alyssa set down a bag and pulled out a short glittery slip dress.

"Isn't it perfect?" Rebecca asked.

"It's shorter than anything I would wear, but it'll look great on you," Dani offered.

"No, little sister, we got this for you," Alyssa smirked, holding it against Dani's skin.

"With that tan? Dani, you're going to look so hot," Rebecca agreed.

"Me? I appreciate it, but..."

"Just try it on. Don't be a prude." Alyssa pushed it into her arms.

"Where would I even wear this?" Dani reluctantly slipped into the bathroom to try it on.

"We are taking you to the club tonight," Alyssa called from the other room as she changed.

"What club?" Dani frowned as she emerged from the bathroom.

Rebecca gasped, and Alyssa gave her a devilish smile.

"It's perfect." She murmured.

"Did you even look? Go look at yourself, Dani," Rebecca demanded.

She stepped back into the bathroom and almost gasped. She hadn't worn a dress in a long time. It was short and shiny, and it glittered in the light. The spaghetti straps complimented her arms, toned from her days swimming in the pool. It hung low on her chest, showing her cleavage in a sexy way. It was short, but instead of being tight, it had a flowing look that complimented her figure.

"It's amazing," Dani admitted. "I've never worn a dress this short, though."

"With those legs, that's a crime," Rebecca said.

"I have some heels that'll look great with them," Alyssa added.

"I don't know about this. A club?" Dani asked nervously.

"We aren't taking no for an answer." Rebecca winked.

"Lighten up, Dani!" Alyssa said as she came back, holding some strappy heels. "Have some fun for once."

"I better not regret this." She moaned as she accepted the shoes.

**

Later that night Alyssa was enjoying a glass of champagne in her bedroom as she got ready.

For herself, she'd picked out a pair of high waisted black leather shorts that she paired with a matching cropped jacket and shiny red bra-style top under it. She admired herself for a few long moments.

She'd enjoyed herself a lot the last few weeks. Rocco wasn't around to harp about every little thing, and she could just come and go as she pleased. Dani didn't mind; she loved watching Gavin. It was nearly perfect.

"Soon," Alyssa told her reflection. "You'll have it all."

Her phone rang, and she ignored the call, seeing it was Katherine. She'd been avoiding calls from her all week. So incredibly short-sighted to assume Alyssa didn't have a plan. Maybe it was time to cut that leech off once and for all when this was all said and done.

"Maybe I won't end it there." She mumbled to herself. "I can think of several leaches I'd be thrilled to drop." Rebecca being one of them with her new chummy thing with Dani.

The only thorn in her plan was Rocco being the one to leave her. She had needed to control the ending, and he took that from her. That was a challenge, and now she had to play defense on top of offense. She'd been telling her attorney to avoid Dante's various requests to "get things on the docket" She didn't want to start discussing assets yet, especially with attorneys. She needed to move some pieces along first and do so quickly.

Dante probably knew she had something planned and would keep pushing to get ahead of her. So, she had to act fast. Luckily, she was great under pressure. She took one last look in the mirror before heading down to meet the girls.

**

The three of them turned a lot of heads as they walked into the busy club.

Rebecca had chosen a super tight pair of cropped jeans with a lacy see-through top and black spiky heels. She was a stunner. She looked like she belonged in an old Hollywood movie.

She had to admit; her sister looked drop-dead gorgeous tonight too. It was beyond annoying how effortless her beauty was. Eddy was right. She'd be a photographer's dream to shoot. She rarely allowed herself to feel jealousy. She didn't care enough, but his comments about Dani annoyed her.

She looked over at said sister, who looked nervous and insecure.

"Come on. We need shots now." Alyssa grabbed her arm and pushed them through the crowd to the bar.

She ordered three lemon drop doubles to start.

"To girls' night!" Rebecca cheered.

"No, to fun!" Dani corrected her. They clinked their glasses and downed the shots.

Alyssa asked for another round, and the bartender set them down.

"Wait before we do these, Becks; get a selfie with Dani ." Alyssa suggested. "You two look perfect."

They started snapping a bunch of selfies and laughing. The distraction was handy; Alyssa glanced around quickly to ensure no one was watching before adding a drop of fun to one of the shot glasses.

"Get in here, Lys!" Dani was starting to loosen up. Alyssa smirked to herself before joining in on the photos.

Alyssa sat and sipped her drink in the VIP section as she watched Becks and Dani on the dance floor. Dani was getting more and more unsteady.

Rebecca noticed and took her arm, holding her as she stumbled alongside her.

"Having fun, sister?" Alyssa laughed as the two collapsed on the couch in a heap.

"I can feel the music on my skin." Dani sat up slightly and rubbed her bare arms.

She had a dreamy smile on her face. Her cheeks were flushed, and her hair wild and messy from dancing.

"What?" Rebecca side-eyed her curiously.

"Have some more champagne, girls!" Alyssa handed them each a glass.

"Lys. I think Dani's had enough." Rebecca started to say, but Alyssa shot her a look.

"Leave her alone. She's having fun."

"I can be fun," Dani argued. "I know how."

"Of course you do," Alyssa said in a soothing voice.

"Did you know I always called you the chosen one?" Dani said suddenly, laughing a little.

"Me, why?" Alyssa decided to amuse herself with this for a bit.

"Because Katherine chose you and dumped me." Dani 's words were slurred, and her eyes were super dazed.

"My life was no picnic," Alyssa admitted.

Rebecca glanced at her in surprise. She wasn't a let's share stories kind of girl and never was. 

"I do want to be sisters. I don't have much family and - "

"Oh, don't get all mushy and gross now." Alyssa laughed and tipped off her champagne once again, ignoring Rebecca's concerned looks.

"This song! It's my song!" Dani exclaimed suddenly.

"Well go dance." Alyssa pulled her up off the couch but sat back down when Dani started heading that way.

"I should go watch her..." Rebecca started, but Alyssa cut her off. "Go dance with her; she's having fun!"

Alyssa took out her phone and took a few pictures of Dani falling all over the guy. Giggling gleefully, she sipped her martini and waited for the right time to make her next move.

**

Dani stumbled to the bar and felt dizzy and so warm; she realized this was worse than the Hot Tub night with Lexi.

"Water, please?" she begged the bartender and nearly sucked the whole glass down.

"Hey, where'd you go?" The guy she was dancing with was behind her, so close, way too close. 

"Get out of here," Rebecca hissed, pushing him away.

"Becks!" Dani slurred it out. "I like you."

"Listen, Dani, you need to leave," Rebecca got very close and spoke urgently. "I called you a cab that will bring you back home. Leave here; get in that cab."

"Why?" Dani asked, confused.

"Lys is planning something," Rebecca whispered. "Something bad, I think. I think she slipped you something and wants Rocco to come here and find you like this. I don't know, but you have to get in the cab. Do you understand?"

"Cab," Dani repeated.

"Go, now."