Erwin had been looking for a doormat, a woman who wasn’t high maintenance and would
put up with his crap. The sad thing was, she had been that woman for a year. Bad sex should have
clued her in but she thought it would get better with time. If anything, the sex became worse. She
thought back to the night she shared with Dane. In one night he managed to surpass a man she
dated for over a year.
“What are you thinking about, Bayleigh?”
She jumped at the sound of Tasha’s voice. It was hard to clear the guilty expression from her
face but she managed. Her sister and mother were going to become more suspicious than they
already were if she didn’t stop wandering off into her wicked daydreams.
“Sorry, my mind is on some of the other errands I need to finish today.”
Her sister’s eyes narrowed. “What errands could you have to distract you so?”
“Shopping.” The white lie slipped out. Fortunately it was somewhat true. She did need to
buy an outfit or two. Bayleigh just hadn’t planned to go do it today. After wearing the dress her
sister brought her, she wanted to update her wardrobe. She would start small, focusing on casual
clothes. Even now she felt out of style sitting next to her mother and sister. Bayleigh resisted the
urge to pull at her button down shirt.
“You have plans to shop?”
Bayleigh smiled at Tasha’s skepticism. “Yes, I need to update my wardrobe a little.” Her
mother’s mouth fell open and Bayleigh laughed. “Do both of you have to look so shocked?”
Tasha nodded. “You never shop. I swear you have clothes in your closet you’ve worn since
college.”
Bayleigh might have been offended if the statement weren’t true. She still gave her sister a
warning look. “The exact reason why I want to shop for new clothes.”
Her mother put down her fork. “What brought on this need for change?”
Bayleigh shrugged. “I think it’s time for a new me.”
Tasha frowned. “What’s wrong with the current you?”
“Other than the fact that I’m out of style…nothing.”
“What’s wrong with having your own style?” Her mother questioned.
“There isn’t anything wrong with that Mama, but I want to add to my current style.”
Tasha’s frown deepened. “This isn’t because of Erwin is it?”
Bayleigh rolled her eyes. “This has nothing to do with Erwin. This is for me.”
Her sister studied her for a moment. “Okay then. Do you mind if I go with you? I promise
not to pester you. I have a few things I want to look at myself.”
“I’d like that. I could use your opinion anyway.”
Bayleigh watched her mother reach across the table and take a sip of her soda before putting
it back down. “Just making sure you didn’t spike your soda when I went to the bathroom.”
Bayleigh laughed. “Why would I need to sneak, Mama? I have been the legal drinking age for
a while now.”
Her mother smiled. “Well I did just hear you say you want to go shopping with your sister.
Words I never thought I would hear, by the way.”
“I’m reinventing myself a little.”
Tasha shrugged. “Nothing wrong with a little revamping.”
“So you will go to the mall with me after lunch?”
Tasha gave Bayleigh an amused look. “As if you have to ask.”
Bayleigh looked at their mother. “Do you want to join us?”
“No. Having lunch with you two is enough action for one day. I’ll let the two of you have
your fun without me.”
Tasha chuckled. “Good. We won’t have to hide our naughty girl purchases from you.”
Their mother laughed and Bayleigh wanted to die from embarrassment. “Tasha meant to say
her naughty girl purchases.”
Her sister grinned. ”We’l work on yours starting today. Men like it when Christmas comes
year round.”
Bayleigh groaned. “What was I thinking? I’ve changed my mind. You’re no longer invited.”
Tasha giggled. “You can’t take back the invite. Besides, your new boyfriend will like it.”
Bayleigh groaned again. For the first time in the last week she had gone two whole minutes
without thinking about Dane and her sister had to ruin it. “I don’t have a boyfriend, Tasha.”
Tasha smiled brightly. “You would if you gave your admirer a chance.”
Bayleigh gave her mother a pleading look. “Mama.”
Her mother’s eyebrows rose. “I can’t stop Tasha when she’s right.”
Bayleigh shook her head. What had she done to deserve this torture? At some point she
would have to face Dane and give him an answer. Maybe by then she’d have one.
* * * *
“Dane, you aren’t paying attention to a word I’m saying.”
Dane gave his mother an apologetic look. “Sorry, Mom. What did you say?”
His mother shook her head. “I won’t repeat myself until you tell me what has you so
preoccupied.”
Dane felt bad about being distracted, but he couldn’t help it. Having dinner with his family
was one of the rare occasions when everyone came together. His family was small but they all lead
busy lives. Besides his parents, there was his older sister, Madison, her husband, Don, their children,
Elizabeth and Gabe. Having dinner with his family was an event he looked forward to.
Unfortunately he wasn’t enjoying himself fully tonight. His thoughts were still on Bayleigh. It was
maddening. If he could find a way to get her to talk to him, everything would be different.
“Dane?”
He groaned under his breath when he realized he had zoned out again. “Sorry, Mom. I’m
not with it tonight.”
“So we see,” Madison replied before their mother could say anything. “Our mother was
saying how happy she is to have everyone together tonight for dinner.”
Dane smiled at his mother. “I’m glad to be here. Dinner is delicious in case I haven’t already
said so.”
A gentle smile appeared upon his mother’s rounded face. “I’m glad, dear. Now tell me what
has you so distracted.”
Dane looked at his mother before glancing around the table. All eyes were on him. He was
glad his niece and nephew were in the playroom, or their eyes would have been on him as well. At
the age of six and four, they wouldn’t understand, but they were at the age where they were good at
mimicking adults.
Dane fought back a sigh, wondering if he were going to come out of this unscathed. Right
now it didn’t seem like it.
“It’s no big deal, Mom. I’ll get it figured out.”
Madison gave him a skeptical look. “Are you sure?”
He glared at his sister. “Yes I am, besides family dinner isn’t the time to discuss personal
issues.”
His father chuckled. “Must be a woman.”
Dane put down his fork, and groaned.
Madison laughed. “So it is a woman.”
He gave his sister a warning look. She was happy to ignore it.
“Who is she?” she asked with a wide grin.
“When are we going to meet her?” his father added.
“Does she want kids?” his mother questioned. “I want more grandbabies.”
Dane wanted to get up from the table and leave. Was he the only sane person left in his
family? A quick glance around the table told him he just might be. Dane rubbed his temples. He
needed a stiff drink.
�
��Come on, Dane, spill it. You can’t leave until you do.”
Dane shook his head at his sister’s singsong voice. “And you wonder where my niece and
nephew get it from.”
Don laughed. “My wife says they inherited it from you.”
Dane knew he wasn’t going to get out of this. His family was persistent. He would know
since he had the genetic trait himself. “Yes, you know her…it’s Bayleigh.”
The confused looks they gave him were amusing. His mother was the first to recover. “Is it
that Erwin character again?”
“No, Mom. Her relationship with him has been over for several months now.”
Madison’s expression became more perplexed. “Is everything okay with her?”
He smiled at his sister’s concern for Bayleigh. His family had met her a few times and they
liked her. From what he could tell, she liked them in return. He shrugged. “I don’t know. She hasn’t
talked to me for most of the week.”
A look of surprise fell over his father’s face. “Haven’t you seen her at work?”
“Yes, I have but she isn’t talking to me.”
His mother put her drink down. “Did the two of you have a fight?”
Dane hesitated. “Yes and no.”
Madison gave him a puzzled glance. “Yes and no? You have to come up with a more
decisive answer.”
Dane looked down at his plate. “I told her how I feel about her.”
Complete silence met his statement. He looked up at his family. Everyone was staring at him
with utter shock.
“You told Bayleigh you’re attracted to her?” Madison clarified.
“Yes, and she freaked.”
He left out the juicy details about how the discussion came about. It was private and he
would never embarrass Bayleigh like that.
“Now she’s avoiding you?”
Dane smiled at his mother. “Sort of. She talks to me at work.
Yet she won’t talk to me about anything but work.”
A thoughtful expression appeared on Madison’s face.
“Bayleigh is still speaking to you so she isn’t mad.”
His mother nodded her agreement. “Has she said anything at all about what you revealed to
her?”
He released a pent up breath. “She said she needed time to think about it. She’s afraid of
losing our friendship.”
His father’s eyebrows furrowed together. “Nonsense. The two of you are too compatible.”
Dane smiled. “Thanks dad. I told her the same thing. But I know with Bayleigh that I have
to show her. She can’t refute concrete evidence.”
His mother laughed. “Sounds like you have come up with a plan.”
“I have a few ideas.”
His sister leaned closer to him. “So your secret is finally out.
Bayleigh knows you like her.”
Dane chuckled. “Why is it like being back in high school when you’re around?”
His sister smiled. “I have to stay young at heart to keep up with your niece and nephew.”
Don laughed. “Is that your excuse?”
Madison elbowed Don playfully. Dane smiled when Don caught the elbow as if he expected
it. Don placed a kiss on the back of Madison’s hand. Dane’s thoughts went to Bayleigh. He
wondered what would happen if they shared a moment like the one between his sister and brother-
in-law. Would Bayleigh become embarrassed? Return the affection? Both?
Dane was dying to find out. There was no doubt in his mind that the distance Bayleigh had
put between them bothered her just as much as it ate at him. He caught her giving him looks of
longing when she thought he wasn’t paying attention. What was Bayleigh so afraid of? Dane knew
she had a few bad relationships, the last one being the worse. He’d been there for Bayleigh when it
ended. The breakup with Erwin had been bad. He didn’t know the details, but when Bayleigh called
him, he went to her
He could still recall the way she collapsed into his arms after she opened the door. Dane had
swept her up into his arms, carried her to the couch, and held her the entire time she cried. When
the tears disappeared, he continued to hold her until she fell asleep. It was the first time her held her
in his arms for an entire night. Her breakup with Erwin increased the feelings he had wanted to keep
under control. At that moment he knew he could no longer stand back and let Bayleigh continue to
choose men who would end up hurting her. Not when he cared for her the way he did.
“She’s a good woman,” his sister murmured before giving his hand a quick squeeze.
Dane smiled. “I know. I’m just afraid I won’t have the chance to show her that.”
His father winked at him. “She will come around son. Bayleigh is crazy about you.”
His mother nodded. “You have the right idea. Show her how she should be treated.”
Dane grinned. “You’re just ready for more grandbabies,” he teased.
His mother’s face lit up. “I couldn’t think of anyone better for you than Bayleigh, if it were
to happen.”
Dane gave his mother an amused look. “Let’s get her to agree to date me first.”
It was his biggest obstacle. A complication he still pondered as dinner ended. He kissed his
family goodnight, already looking forward to the next time. The drive home was a quiet one. He had
more time to think about Bayleigh. When he walked into his home he wondered if he made the right
decision. If he hadn’t admitted his feelings for Bayleigh, she might still be talking to him. Then again,
there was a chance she wouldn’t be.
The one thing he wouldn’t ever regret was making love to her. His experience with her was
one he would never forget. One he looked forward to repeating and soon. Dane had his work cut
out for him. When he stepped under the warm spray of the shower, he smiled. Tomorrow was the
beginning of a new work week. His mission was to make Bayleigh understand that the night they
shared together was only the beginning.
Chapter Four
“Are you enjoying yourself?” Deidre yelled.
“No, the music is too loud,” Bayleigh shouted.
Deidre laughed at her. “It’s supposed to be loud. We are at a club.”
Giselle and Maylea were on the dance floor trying to keep away from most of the people
who crowded it.
“Lea and Giselle want us to join them.”
Bayleigh almost said no. She wasn’t having a good time. How had she allowed the girls to
talk her into this? She never went to clubs. This was Deidre’s idea. This was her one thing she
wanted to do that was out of the ordinary.
Deidre would never normally step foot inside of a club. Yet she had suggested it, and here
they all were, there to offer support to their somewhat delusional friends. There was safety in
numbers, after all.
When Deidre suggested going dancing yesterday, shock was Bayleigh’s first response,
curiosity the second. She had heard a lot about Club Onyx. When she walked through the door, the
euphoric expressions on everyone’s face, made her think the club might just live up to its name.
After an hour, she wasn’t so sure. There were bodies everywhere, too many and too close for
comfort.
At least she had the opportunity to wear one of the new outfits Tasha helped her pick out
last Saturday. The sky blue silk chiffon dress had put her on the receiving end of compliments all
night. Complete strangers were coming up to her,
telling her how much they liked her dress.
“Come on, Bayleigh, let’s go.”
Bayleigh allowed Deidre to pull her to the dance floor. She liked to dance, but wasn’t used to
dancing while in crowds like this though. The last time she danced in public was at her sister’s
wedding. Not with people bumping into her, not to mention her poor toes. Thankfully the club
didn’t allow drinks on the dance floor. It helped keep her dress stain free and the floor hadn’t been
transformed into a large slip-n-slide.
They joined Lea and Giselle. Bayleigh caught on to the beat of the current song. Someone
bumped her from behind. When she turned, she received an apologetic look. She smiled at the
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