One Reckless Night (18 page)

I was hoping I wouldn’t have to restrain your sister.”

Bayleigh laughed. Her sister’s obsession with punctuality could be nerve wrecking. “Well,

you won’t.”

Her mother pulled back glancing at Dane. She stared at Bayleigh with raised eyebrows. “I

thought you said you were bringing a date.”

Bayleigh rolled her eyes at her mother’s lack of tactfulness. She was surprised she hadn’t said

anything about Dane’s eye. They still had a few hours to go.

“Mom, Dane is my date.”

Bayleigh could hardly contain her laughter at the look of shock on her mother’s face.

Fortunately her mother recovered quickly, pulling Dane into her embrace. “I don’t
believe
it. It’s good

to see you again Dane.”

Her mother pulled back, looking back and forth between the two of them.

“Your father is going to be thrilled.”

“I’m sure he will be,” Bayleigh murmured as she recalled her conversation with Tasha last

weekend.

Dane looked puzzled. Bayleigh gave a slight shake of her head. “I’ll tell you later.”

Bayleigh followed her mother inside the home she grew up in. The home had more pleasant

memories than bad. Her mother interlocked arms with her before offering the other to Dane. He

accepted it and her mother led them to the dining room.

Her family’s response astonished her. After the initial shock, her father and brother greeted

Dane warmly. Jarvis stood back, doing his best to control the hyped up Tasha. Bayleigh watched the

events before her play out, wondering if she was still asleep in Dane’s bed with his arms wrapped

securely around her.

As usual he interacted with her family like he had been a part of it since birth. She followed

her mom and sister into the kitchen, once she was certain Dane was okay. In all reality she was the

one about to suffer heart failure. Dane was completely at ease.

“So, Dane is the mystery man that had you so flustered a couple of weeks ago?”

“Yes, Mama. He is.”

Her mother smiled. “Interesting.”

Bayleigh shared a look with her sister at their mother’s monosyllabic response. She focused

her attention on moving the food from their pots to serving dishes. Tasha stepped closer to her.

“Are you okay?”

Bayleigh gave her sister an appreciative look. “Yes I am, now that I see a war isn’t going to

break out.”

Tasha giggled. “The night is still young.”

“What are you girls whispering about?”

Bayleigh rolled her eyes at Tasha before responding. “Nothing, Mama.”

Their mom shook her head. “Bayleigh, go tell the men dinner is ready while Tasha and I

carry the food to the dining room.”

“Okay, Mama.”

Bayleigh quickly left the kitchen not minding the reprieve. She had expected inquisition but

it hadn’t come yet. Then again as Tasha said, the night was still young. Bayleigh made her way into

the dining room where Dane, Jarvis, her father and brother where watching the sports channel. A

gasp escaped her when Dane reached out to pull her into his lap. She gave him a look of warning

and her father chuckled. Reaching out she touched the slight discoloration under his eye. “You sure

it doesn’t hurt?”

“No.” He shook his head. “My hand is fine as well. Your ice packs did a good job.”

Bayleigh felt heat travel up her neck at the images his words brought to mind. And it had

nothing to do with ice.

“Yes. Dane just filled us in on how it happened. Just so you know any man willing to protect

my daughter’s honor has my approval.”

Bayleigh grinned. “Dane has your approval anyway, Daddy.”

Her father smiled. “True, but it helps.”

Bayleigh smiled. “Yes, well let’s just hope he doesn’t have to continue breaking noses to do

so.”

Her brother’s mouth dropped open. “Breaking noses?”

Bayleigh place a gentle kiss under Dane’s eye. “Did he leave that part out?” She eased herself

out of Dane ‘slap. “Well if mama will allow it at the dinner table, he can tell you about it.”

Jarvis turned to look in her direction. “Dinner is ready?”

She nodded, smiling as all four men stood, her father turning off the television. There was

nothing like her mama’s food that could bring her family running to the table. Dane pulled her chair

out and she thanked him. Her father blessed the food. When she opened her eyes her gaze met

Dane’s. Her heart gave a hard thump in her chest. There was something about him so fascinating it

was scary.

Up until now she had always erred on the side of caution, done the right thing. Then she

came up with the idea to do one impulsive thing, now she sat next to a wonderful man who made

her feel like there was nothing more important than she. If she had learned anything from her new

attitude, it was giving into her impulsive side could be a good thing.

In a way she couldn’t help but to wonder if a horrible event would happen to ruin it. Yes,

she had come a long way, broken through a few of the boundaries she had. However, she still had a

long way to go be she was able to stop second-guessing herself completely. When she sat at the

dinner table next to Dane it wasn’t hard to do. For the first time, she wasn’t constantly concerned

about rejection and ridicule.

The more she thought about it, the more she realized she and Erwin hadn’t really had

anything in common. Bayleigh forced enjoyment in his interest. Pretended they were compatible

when they weren’t. Why had she done that? What made her act in such desperation? And to hang on

to a man she forced herself to care about. When she looked back at her previous relationships, she

noticed she was the one who always changed to make the relationship work. Was she so afraid of

being alone? Enough to settle for any man, including one who hadn’t make her happy?

In some ways she thought she was in love with the idea of being in love. The relationship

her parents had might have disillusioned her some. Yet, the more time she spent with Dane, the

more content she felt. Never could she recall feeling like this before. The emotions he evoked in

her were real. She tried to deny it every step of the way, refused to let her emotions be any part of

this. But it had become difficult to protect her heart. Somewhere along the way she had let her guard

down.

Bayleigh wanted to be disappointed in her carelessness but she was unable to. She was too

happy. Yes, she was normally a loser when it came to love, when it came to a man who treated her

with respect or finding a man who accepted her for who she was. When it came to Dane, she

believed her luck had changed. He was transparent. Bayleigh couldn’t detect any dishonesty in him.

Dane was of good character and had been the entire time she had known him. In previous

relationships, red flags had gone up. Warnings she ignored because she was desperate to be wanted.

The exact feeling that came over her whenever he looked at her. She was becoming emotionally

entangled. At this rate she would be beside herself at the end of six months. Was it possible for

things between her and Dane to become permanent? The real question was, was it what she wanted?

If he had his way she was positive they would. When Dane squeezed her hand, she looked up.

“Hey you. Where did you escape off to?”

She smiled and shook her head. “Just thinking.”

The corners of his mouth tilted upward. “About?”

“How perfect all of this is.”

His smile widened. “The good thing is, it will only get better.”

* * * *

“Sorry I’m late guys,” Maylea stated when she joined them at the table. Bayleigh looked up

with surprise. Her friend was hardly ever late for sushi. However, her frazzled look was even more

puzzling.

Maylea picked up her green tea. “Thank you for ordering for me.”

“No problem.” Giselle responded.

“Especially since you are going to tell us why you’re so late. Also why you look like you’ve

been run over by a bus.” Deidre added.

Maylea rolled her eyes before taking another sip of her tea. “Two words, Rogan Davidson.”

Bayleigh sat up straight at the mention of the man deemed Lani’s pain-in-the-ass. There was

a history between Rogan and Lea and it wasn’t good. This should be interesting. Even Giselle sat up

to pay attention but Deidre was the one to speak.

“Okay, after that, we need more than two words.”

Maylea groaned. “Can I eat a few pieces of sushi first? I haven’t eaten since lunch and my

stomach is eating itself.”

“What stomach?” Bayleigh scoffed.

Maylea smiled as she mixed wasabi and soy sauce together for dipping. “I love you too,

Bayleigh.”

“Focus on eating. We want to hear more about your latest battle with Rogan,” Giselle stated

with a grin.

Maylea ate a piece of sushi, chewing slowly, while she studied Giselle. “Who says it was a

battle?”

Deidre chuckled. “With you and Rogan, it always is.”

Lea rolled her eyes. “When a man is responsible for ruining your fantasy and embarrassing

you on top of all of it, it tends to be that way.”

Bayleigh understood Lani’s words perfectly. After her relationship with Erwin, there was no

way she could be in a room with him and not be tempted to resort to physical violence.

Lea savored a few more pieces of sushi before sighing. “Rogan was just being his typical

overbearing self. Today it made the day a lot hard than it should have been. For some reason he

doesn’t comprehend that my job as Manager of Policy and Strategy is to make sure every rule put in

place is followed. He doesn’t appreciate the fact that these rules will keep us from being sued. More

importantly it keeps us in business.”

Bayleigh laughed. “Oh no. Rogan believes in rules. Men like Rogan always do. It just

happens to be the rules he sets forth.”

“Trust me. Rogan doesn’t know the definition of the word rules,” Lea stated with a shake of

her head.

Giselle smiled. “Which makes you his favorite person.”

“To torment,” Lea muttered. “But enough about my nightmare of a day with Rogan. Did

anyone actually have a good day?”

Giselle grinned. “I had a great
week
since I finally finished all of the graphics for the

company’s website.”

“I can’t wait to see it,” Deidre said, clapping her hands.

Deidre and Lana worked together at a public relations firm, but they were in different

departments, so their work kept them apart, which was probably a good thing. Bayleigh could only

imagine the amount of trouble the two of them could get in otherwise.

Giselle shrugged. “It’s fancier than the last site upgrade, but more user friendly. Everyone

seems to be satisfied so far on the beta test we ran.”

Bayleigh smiled. “Why wouldn’t they be? You are the best Graphic Designer I know.”

“Bayleigh, I’m the only graphic designer you know,” Giselle responded, with an amused

look.

Bayleigh laughed. “So what? You would still be the best if I knew a hundred more.”

Giselle gave her an inquisitive look. “Do you need something?”

“No, Giselle. It’s called a compliment,” Bayleigh replied, rolling her eyes.

Deidre giggled. “Careful, Bayleigh. You might overwhelm her. Giselle isn’t used to

compliments.”

“Don’t be hateful, Deidre,” Giselle said, with a frown.

Deidre stuck her tongue out. “Whatever, Giselle.”

Bayleigh cleared her throat before the two of them got carried away. “What about you,

Deidre? How was your week?”

“Nothing exciting, just the same old work. However, I was thinking about going to Club

Onyx again.” Deidre responded, wrinkling her nose.

Lea seemed to perk up at the idea. “Sounds like fun. I had a good time the last time we

went.”

“Believe it or not, so did I,” Giselle said, with a nod.

All eyes went to Bayleigh. “Yes, I had fun, too.”

Deidre smiled. “Of course you did. It’s the night you and Dane became official.”

Bayleigh frowned in puzzlement. “Official?”

“You know, relationship official.” said Lani.

Bayleigh started to deny the assumption but paused. It was true. She and Dane’s relationship

had kicked off that night. She preferred to look upon it as dating. Yet, the more time she spent with

him, the more she realized relationship was the appropriate word for it. A few days ago she had

given into Dane’s wish to see her. Bayleigh had gone over and he fed her dinner, then they watched

a movie. The surprise came when he escorted her to the front door instead of his bedroom. It

seemed he only wanted to spend time with her. A day later she recognized his request was normal in

a real relationship. Unlike the way it had been with Erwin, who always seemed to want something

from her.

She was almost at a complete loss when it came to Dane. It was like being in a relationship

for the first time.

“Uh-oh. She’s thinking too hard.”

Bayleigh blinked, then looked up at Lani’s smiling face. “Dane gives me a lot to think

about.”

Deidre picked up a piece of sushi. “Which is a good thing.”

“In some ways yes, in others, no,” Bayleigh said with a shrug.

“Is being bad harder than you thought?” Giselle asked, with a smirk.