Page 35 of Secret Sins

Heart pounding, ears ringing, I realized my lust for her had blinded me to the simplest of avenues.

A date.

"Yes. I fear the answer to you will always be yes."

"It's lunch, Van, not a firing squad." Standing and brushing off her pants, she called Heidi over. My dear little girl came lumbering in our direction, her tongue lolling and a derpy smile on her face.

That wrecking ball punched me in the chest again. I could have this for a long time if I tried really hard. My sweet dog, a beguiling woman, and even her crazy cat.

"I'll have to take her home and dry her off first."

Bailey snagged my hand as we walked down Clay Street, and I didn't mind if people stared. At least there was something other than me to look at for a change. It was rare for Heidi to act up, but she strained on the leash in a hurry to get somewhere. Once home, I let us into the apartment and unhooked her leash, only to watch her run for her water bowl.

"She's nuts today," I commented.

"Maybe she senses your excitement."

"Are you as intuitive as my dog?"

Bailey stood just inside the door, waiting patiently for me. While Heidi was occupied, I decided I would take advantage of the opportunity.

A little startled noise escaped Bailey's throat as I grabbed her around the waist. Her lips curved up just the slightest as I gazed down at her, and then I pressed my mouth to hers. A light brush, back and forth, mostly because I knew I could. I knew she would not only let me, but that she wanted it too. Nothing like who I'd known in the past, Bailey was her own woman. Smart, ambitious, caring beyond belief, and not out for what I could give her. She didn't care what I had to offer outside of myself.

Heidi pushed her body between us, wagging her tail hard enough to bruise my legs. Bailey laughed, her face lighting up with a pleased grin.

"Okay, girl, let's get you dried off and settled."

Working quickly, I scrubbed a towel over Heidi's fur and dug out a bone to give her something to do while I was gone.

"Where do you want to go?" I asked. I wasn't broke anymore, but my job would never make me rich.

"Have you been to Oceana? They have a reasonable lunch menu."

"I have not, mostly because the thought of fish makes me queasy these days." Picking up my keys, I led Bailey out the door and locked the deadbolt.

"They have more than fish, though that's of course what they're known for best."

"It's either that or pizza, isn't it?" The perils of small-town life, I realized.

"The bakery has lunch options, but that comes with Ellie and Alex in our faces. As much as I love them, I'm not looking to make a scene about the two of us today."

Again, small-town life. "I don't have a car, so if we go inland, it'll have to be on the bus."

"I have a car, though I don't have to use it often. That said, I'll do whatever you want."

The idea of going that far didn't excite me, so I agreed to walk to Oceana Grill. It was on Hudson Street, close to where I worked, and not that far from my place. We passed Crimson and Clover, which appeared to be a clothing store, and I could see Of the Ocean a few buildings down.

"Have you been there?" Bailey asked, gesturing to Crimson and Clover.

"Why would I frequent a women's clothing store?"

"Maybe you like a pretty pink thong now and then, who knows?" Laughing at her joke, Bailey continued, "Because Chris's wife owns and operates it."

"Oh." He had never mentioned his wife. Then again, we didn't talk much.

"Maybe we'll stop in after lunch. She sells some of Riley's products, too."

"I'd rather buy them from you." I opened the door of the restaurant and held it for her. "Putting money in your pocket makes more sense to me when I don't know Chris's wife."