“He’s no fool, Bailey. I think you two should find some time and talk about this soon.”
“Is there a reason to rush it that I’m not aware of?”
The delay in Kevin’s response only made Bailey’s concern grow. These guys are tight-lipped, which means it’s worse than I first thought. Should I tell Hannah? Would she be able to get it out of Mark? Maybe, but I can’t do that until after they get back from their honeymoon. If I do, they might not get their happily ever after, and it’d be entirely my fault. I’ll have to find another way to make Don talk.
“Talk to him, Bailey.”
She knew what the old Bailey would’ve done. It would’ve taken some lace and sweet perfume, but at least she wouldn’t be left in the dark. Even if I didn’t get any information, my tactic would’ve proven to have some positive output. She blushed slightly.
They were approaching the airport terminal arrivals sign. She really wished she’d stayed back at Hannah’s. All she wanted to do was confront Don right that very second. Instead, she was going to have to ride home pretending to be Kevin’s girlfriend and listen to his parents ask all the questions anyone would ask. She’d need to weave the lies deep on people who didn’t deserve that. Am I so insecure that I will potentially hurt others just so I don’t hurt? How messed up would that be?
“Decide quick, Bailey, because I see my parents standing on the curb with their luggage. Do I introduce you as my girlfriend or not?”
She’d never thought her request would’ve gone so deep. Lying to his parents was unacceptable. It was bad enough she was doing it to Don. This has to stop. There is no reason for it.
“The maid of honor is fine,” she said as Kevin pulled the truck up to the curb. Kevin hopped out and watched as the woman grabbed him giving him a long tight squeeze. And you must be Mom.
Bailey saw the man the woman was with and only noticed he was using a walker when Kevin stepped toward him. He looked so strong and healthy. She tried to recall Hannah or Mark saying anything about him being sick, but they hadn’t. Probably they never want to say anything unhappy to me because they all think I’m so damn delicate and will break into a million pieces if they do.
She was angry with herself. Bailey knew if she wanted them to stop treating her in that manner she needed to stop acting as though she was fragile. I’ll only break if I let myself. And I’m not about to do that.
Before Bailey got out of the car, she reached up and took off her wig that was itching like crazy at the moment. She gave her scalp a good scratching and looked in the mirror to adjust it as she put it back on. She caught her own eyes in the reflection. It was clear she was not the same woman physically, but who she was on the inside was still there. Maybe even stronger, as Don said.
Bailey went to smooth the long strands down again and pulled it right back off. Stop hiding, Bailey. Be who you were, or at least, try to be. If you pretend long enough, maybe it will come true.
She slipped the wig into her purse and climbed out of the truck to meet Kevin’s family.
“Mom, Dad, I would like to introduce you to Hannah’s best friend and maid of honor, Bailey Tasca.”
Bailey extended her hand to his mother first. She didn’t reach for it.
“Is hugging okay? I’m not sick.”
Bailey was stunned by the question. It was bold and yet very touching. “As long as you’re not sick, it is very much welcome.”
Pulled into the woman’s arms, she instantly knew why Casey was as sweet as she was. Even you, Kevin, have a bit of your mother in you, don’t you?
“My name is Evelyn, and this is my husband, Greg. Any friend of Hannah’s is family to us.”
Family. Wow. Does Hannah have any idea how lucky she is? She gets a husband and a family. I hope she remembers later who pushed her to go back and talk things out with Mark in the first place.
Greg held on to his walker with both hands for support. That wasn’t going to stop Bailey from giving him the same warm welcome she’d just received from Evelyn. She stepped forward and wrapped her arms around his large frame. “Welcome to Savannah, Mr. Collins.”
“Call me Greg. We’re excited to be here. Never thought we’d see the day our firstborn married.”
Evelyn added, “Once we met Hannah, we totally understood why. She is wonderful. Now if our boy Kevin here can meet a girl like her, we’ll be all set. You wouldn’t happen to be single, now would you?”
Bailey almost burst out laughing. Here she was standing at an airport terminal with only peach fuzz for hair and Evelyn was trying to fix Kevin up with her. I’m so glad I opted out of pretending to be your girlfriend. I can see this would’ve gone bad real fast.
“She’s kind of spoken for, Mom,” Kevin said, giving Bailey a wink.
“What a shame. But if things don’t work out, you keep my Kevin here in mind. I’d be more than happy to vouch for his character.”
“Let’s go, Mom. We can’t stay parked here, and I don’t want to explain to the policeman that it was taking so long because you’re playing matchmaker.”
Evelyn and Bailey got into the backseat. She watched Kevin help his father into the front. Evelyn must’ve seen her concern and reached over giving her hand a gentle squeeze.
We all have something, don’t we? Sometimes it isn’t as easy to cover up as putting on a wig and makeup. But we all have something.
The entire ride back was filled with old stories of the kids growing up. They were all wonderful, but Bailey listened intensely each time they spoke of Don. She’d known they were friends, but Bailey didn’t realize how close they’d been as children.
“We will never forget the day Don’s mother fell ill. My husband was one of the first responders when she was having difficulty breathing. Everyone thought she had pneumonia. No one ever suspected lung cancer at that time. She never smoked and neither did her husband. So Don spent many days and nights at our house. We might’ve had three biological children, but Don is like one of our own. He’s another one to keep in mind if things don’t work out with whoever has your attention now.”
Kevin met Bailey’s eyes in the rearview mirror. “I’ll keep that in mind.”
When they pulled up the driveway, Bailey realized she was more tired than she’d expected. Normally she’d lie down for an afternoon nap, but it’d slipped her mind today, and she didn’t regret it. The only problem was her body was telling her otherwise. As she climbed out of the truck, she forced a smile and made her way into the house. She needed to find her bed and sleep.
Thankfully everyone was so busy greeting Evelyn and Greg that she was able to slip right by. Once in her bed she lifted the covers and closed her eyes. Before she fell asleep, Don’s face appeared. He was kissing her gently telling her to have sweet dreams. And that she did.
Chapter Twelve
Bailey couldn’t remember the last time she’d slept so long. She’d intended on taking a nap not sleeping through to the next morning. She vaguely remembered hearing her bedroom door creak open. She knew Hannah must’ve checked on her when she didn’t show for supper.
She knew Kevin must’ve said something to Hannah. Otherwise, the mother hen in her would’ve woken her up to ask if she was okay. I know my body needed the rest, but I had things to do, responsibilities to take care of. This is not the time to sleep the day away.
Quickly her to-do list ran through her mind. Then she realized she’d never accomplished what was on the list last night. Bailey had intended on washing her wig and letting it dry overnight so it’d be clean and fresh for the wedding today.
“Oh shit! This can’t be happening. Not today,” she grumbled softly to herself.
Throwing the covers off, she pulled herself from the bed and looked around her room. What did I do with it? I always put it on my bedpost when I take it off. My best friend is getting married in a few hours. I need to get my act together.
When it appeared to be nowhere in sight, she sat back on the edge of the bed feeling defeated. Yesterday she’
d seen a glimmer of the old Bailey beginning to shine through again, strong and confident. Right now she felt more like a scatterbrain.
She figured she must’ve left it in Kevin’s truck when she spotted a few blonde strands hanging out of her purse that was on the chair.
Bailey flew off the bed, relieved it wasn’t lost. Yet when she opened her purse and pulled it out, her joy quickly faded. It looked like it’d been through a wind tunnel. She tried running her fingers through it to untangle the mess. I don’t know how I’m ever going to make this look nice again. I know I don’t need it anymore, but I can’t be in wedding pictures looking like this. Bald.
Grabbing her brush she sat back on the bed and slowly tried to straighten it again. No matter what she tried it didn’t look the same. Her eyes filled with tears. All she wanted to do was make sure Hannah had the day she’d never forget. Her showing up bald wasn’t how she wanted her friend to recall this day in the years to come.
There was a light knock on her door. God, don’t be Hannah. I can’t let her see me like this.
“One minute,” Bailey called out as she wiped her cheeks.
“It’s just me, Casey. Take your time.”
Oh, thank God. She got up and opened the door. She was met by Casey’s bright smile that turned to concern.
“Is everything okay, Bailey? Do you feel all right?”
Bailey nodded and held up the rat’s nest. “It’s hopeless. I can’t fix it.”
Casey’s eyes widened as she looked at the wig. “Well, I have to admit it needs some help, but I think I can work some magic on it.”
“Might need a miracle at this point.”
“One of my friends is a hair stylist, and I used to practice on the wigs she had in her salon. Give me thirty minutes, and you’ll never know anything happened to it.”
“Are you serious? You think you can fix it?”
“I can.”
“There is so much left to be done this morning. How am I going to do it all without Hannah finding out things are running behind?”
Casey looked at her and shook her head. “Bailey, have you forgotten how well we work together? Think of how we got my brother and Hannah together in the first place. If we can pull that off with those two, we can handle whatever is on your list in a blink of an eye. Besides, if you think Sissie wasn’t up before dawn triple checking everything then you forgot who she is. That woman can’t sit still for a minute.”
Bailey laughed. Even now she couldn’t believe Mark Collins, who reads every situation before it happens, hadn’t seen their little covert operation coming to life. “We never could’ve pulled it off without help from Don and Sissie.”
“Don’t think I’m not recruiting them again for whatever is left on this list of yours. Now get going. You still have makeup and a dress to put on.”
“Well, at least I won’t have to worry about blow-drying my hair when I get out of the shower,” Bailey joked as Casey headed for the door.
Casey turned and gave her a worried look. Bailey shrugged.
“Sorry, the comic in me seems to be finding its way back to the surface.”
“It’s refreshing. Derrick is so serious. And if you haven’t noticed, all the men are lately. I’m beginning to think that there’s something going on, and they are keeping it from me because I’m—”
“What?”
“Please, don’t say anything. I want to tell my parents and everyone after the wedding. I’m pregnant.”
Bailey’s face lit up with excitement. So many wonderful things were happening for the Collins family, and she was ecstatic to be around to witness it all.
“I won’t say a thing. Your parents are going to be happy. The only thing left will be to get Kevin married off.”
“Oh, fat chance of that happening anytime soon. Maybe we can have Sissie keep an eye open for a match for him. She’s good, you know. I hear she’s never been wrong. Look at Derrick and me. And then Hannah and Mark. And you and—”
“Don’t say it. We’re not a couple.”
“Not yet. Everyone sees how you two look at each other. You’re meant to be together even if you don’t believe it right now. I remember how I felt when I met Derrick. God, I thought he was such an arrogant, controlling ass. Yet there was a connection that kept drawing us to each other. And look at us now.”
Yes, I know you guys belong together, but things are different for Don and me. We started together and are ending apart. The connection we had, the intimacy, is no more. Looking at my bald head is one thing, but I can’t even picture letting him see me and my scars. No. Don and I don’t have a future, at least, not one that you’d imagine. The best we can hope for is to remain friends. “Maybe once there was a chance, but not anymore. We’re not the same people we were then.”
Casey looked at Bailey sincerely. “You’re right. Both of you have grown and become stronger. Give it time, Bailey; you and Don will find a way. I know it. We all do. Now it’s just waiting for the two of you to figure that out.”
“Well, right now there is another couple we need to focus on. Hannah and Mark aren’t going to be pleased with either of us if we aren’t ready for their wedding.”
“You’re right. If we don’t get moving, neither of us are going to have to worry about our future because the bride-to-be is going to kill us.”
A moment later Casey was out the door, and Bailey was rushing down the hall to the shower. She wasn’t used to so many people in the house and having to share a bathroom with them. When she twisted the knob, the door opened. Bailey expected to find it vacant. She was wrong.
Don was standing in front of the mirror with his back to her. He was naked, only covered by a towel wrapped around his waist while shaving. Bailey knew she should step back out, close the door, and wait her turn, but she couldn’t pull herself away. Although she may try to tell herself, and everybody else, there was nothing, her body wasn’t accepting that answer.
As she looked at his well-defined back, she recalled how her fingers dug into his flesh as he lay on top of her, filling her with his manhood. Closing her eyes, she could almost feel his hands tangled in her hair, his lips hot as he tasted her, nibbling her neck and throat.
A soft moan escaped her lips, and her eyes flew open. His head lifted, and their eyes met in the mirror. There was no hiding her want from him. The fire within her turned her green eyes as dark as emeralds. Neither was willing to look away. It’d been so long, and their raw need was holding them frozen in the moment.
Her pulse quickened, and she was filled with a need she hadn’t felt since being in his arms in Honeywell. I miss you so much. Why can’t things be as they were? If I could only have just one more night with you. Who am I kidding? There will never be a time where I’ve had enough of being near you, with you, by you.
Her heart was aching for what was within feet of her reach, yet was as good as being miles away. She knew it’d never be as it had been. It couldn’t be because she wasn’t the same.
That’s when she caught her reflection in the mirror. No matter how many times she’d seen it before, she always appeared to be a stranger.
Turning she ran from the bathroom and back into her room. She shut the door behind her, but it didn’t latch, opening right back up. What’s wrong with me? Have I become a child who runs and hides in her room? Or is it just because it’s the only place I have right now to shut out what I don’t want? Just a few more days and I’ll be back on my own. No sharing a house or apartment with anyone. Especially a bathroom.
“Bailey.”
“Please go away, Don. I can’t talk about this right now.” She fought to hold her emotions in line and was barely winning the battle. If he didn’t leave, or worse if he touched her, she knew she’d lose the war. “We have a wedding to get ready for, so if you’ll excuse me, I have things to do.”
She never turned to look at him and eventually heard the sound of his footsteps leaving as he closed her door again. Only after he was gone did she let out the b
reath she hadn’t realized she’d been holding.
That can’t happen again. It’s only a physical response to him. It does not mean I love him or that he loves me. All it’ll do is end in more heartache than I can possibly handle right now. I have to face the facts. Don and I are only something in the past.
Bailey waited a few minutes before even attempting to use the shower again. Thankfully when she went, the door had been open and no one, not even Don, was there. With time flying by, she’d showered and dressed quicker than she thought possible.
Her makeup was applied and the dress Hannah had chosen worked well with her body. It was form fitting on her hips, yet the one wide strap that came up over her right shoulder helped hide her scars and prosthetic on that side.
She half jumped out of her skin when there was a knock on her door. Please don’t be Don.
“Who is it?”
“Casey.”
Thank God. “Come on in.”
When, Casey entered she stopped in her tracks. “Wow, that color matches your eyes perfectly.”
“I hadn’t even noticed.” It was true. She’d been so concerned with not letting her mastectomy scars show that the beautiful details of the dress had been lost.
Bailey ran her hands over the silky material. Then she looked at Casey’s dress which was the same color but strapless. It was perfect and covered what needed to be covered.
Casey handed Bailey her wig. “What do you think?”
As she took it from Casey, she ran her fingers through the strands. Impressive. “You pulled it off. It’s like the day I got it.”
Giving Casey a quick hug, she bent over, slipped it on, and stood up, flipping the long hair into place.
“How does it look?”
Casey’s reply was a genuine smile. “How about me? It’s only been a few weeks since we ordered the dress, but I feel like it is already tight.” Casey’s hand went over her stomach. “Can you tell?”
Bailey wasn’t one to lie. “Because I know, I can tell. But I don’t think anyone else will be able to. It’s not overly obvious.”
Southern Delight (Southern Desires Series Book 3) Page 12
