Love's Precious Surprise (The women of Landry's Landing and the Fabrizio men) by Shelli Quinn

usually curly sandy brown hair had been straightened and hung down her bare back. She wore a light amount of make-up on her naturally pretty face. She was wearing a lovely green dress that London had designed especially for her.
    It ended just above the knee in front and gradually got longer in the back, the neckline was a bit high coming up to her at her collarbone while the back dipped low stopping at her waistline.
    Her strappy gold heels matched her accessories and complimented the green color of the dress she was wearing.
    Toni turned from one side to the other as she gazed at her image in the full-length mirror. She couldn’t stop smiling because although she’d been dressed up on several occasions, she’d never looked quite like this. For the first time in her life she looked like a sexy, desirable confident woman instead of the poor pathetic abused girl that he stepfather had turned her into.
    Tonight she felt strong and powerful as if anything was possible and maybe it was. She was the one in control of her destiny she was the one who would decide how her past would affect her future. No longer would she let what her stepfather had done to her control her life.
    From this moment on Toni was choosing to be happy. Oh she was so ready for her date with Daniele but she still had almost an hour before he’d be by to pick her up.
    “ Girl, you are going to knock his socks off.” Asia said with a wide smile.
    “ You look beautiful, kiddo.” London said proudly.
    “ Honey, as sexy as you look tonight, Daniele might have a hard time remembering to be a gentleman. I should probably loan you my can of pepper spray.” Gigi teased.
    “ I thought Pierce got rid of all your pepper spray after you almost blinded him with a can.” London said.
    “ You know good and dang well that was an accident. How was I supposed to know that can was leaking?” Gigi said defensively.
    “ Well the moisture on your hands after handling the can should have been a little indication that the can might have been leaking.” Asia said.
    “ Shut up Asia at least I didn’t almost hit my husband with his own car.” Gigi replied.
    “ That wasn’t my fault he knew damn well that I couldn’t drive a stick shift, so you’d think that common sense would’ve told him to get the hell out of the way. Besides he should’ve moved his own damn car, I’m not a freaking valet.” Asia said.
    “Anyway back to the subject of Daniele being a gentleman, I’m sure he’ll behave just fine but you young lady need to remember to act like the strong, confident and classy woman that we’ve taught you to be. And don’t forget to listen to your heart not your head.” Indy said hoping that her words would help encourage her to do what makes her happy.
    “ Thanks to you guys I think this is going to be one of the best nights of my life. I can’t believe I’m really going on my first date I’m so excited.” Toni said happily.
    “ And all of us are happy for you.” London said with a smile.
     
    Daniele came downstairs after getting dressed for his date with Toni he’d decided to get dressed at his Aunt and Uncle’s house. The minute his feet touched the bottom step he was quickly surrounded by Pierce, Gio, Gabe and Luc. He’d had a feeling that they’d be here to give him a lecture before his date.
    “ What’s up guys did you need something?” Daniele asked as he straightened his collar.
    “ Boy don’t play dumb with us you know why we’re here.” Pierce said.
    “ I hope you guys are here to wish me luck on my date with Toni.” Daniele said.
    “ We’re here to remind you that if you do anything to hurt Toni then family or not it’ll take more than luck to keep us from skinning you alive.” Gabe said in a serious tone
    “ We also wanted to make sure that you remember your manners. Toni is a special woman not one of those gold-digging bimbo’s you’re use to dating.” Luc said.
    “ Yeah, and if things get a little hot for you