thanked him, and Brandon slipped the guy a hundreddollar bill. “You were great, Joey. I’ll ask for you next time.”
“Sounds great.” He raised an eyebrow, his accent thick. “I’m here to serve.”
“Next time?” Bailey still felt like she was in a dream.
“Absolutely.” Brandon looked at her, to the questioning places of her heart. “We’ll be back.”
He fixed his baseball cap and slipped his hood up one more time. Bailey wasn’t sure what to expect when they reached the street level. With Brandon they could step out of an elevator and find a throng of people waiting. But whatever he’d done to prepare for this night, he’d done it well. There were only a few tourists milling about in the lobby, and a handful more waiting for the public elevator. Brandon was good at avoiding eye contact, expert at blending in. No one gave them a second look as they exited the express elevator and walked outside to where the carriage was waiting.
When they were seated, Brandon covered their laps with a blanket from the back shelf. She leaned her head on his shoulder and he took her fingers in his. “Aren’t I supposed to lose a slipper or something?” She smiled up at him.
“No … this isn’t that story.” Brandon didn’t break eye contact, wouldn’t look away. His smile made her feel like the most cherished girl ever, his voice soft against her skin. “Remember, Bailey? Cinderella lost her slipper because the prince let her go.” He ran his free hand alongside her face, and again his touch was as gentle as the night breeze. “I won’t do that. Not ever.”
Dizziness swept over her one more time, and she rested her head on his shoulder for the rest of the ride. If she wasn’t careful, she’d tell him yes, she was ready for a relationship, ready for a commitment. Because right now she would’ve said just about anything to keep him from leaving. Be smart, she told herself.
Jesus, please … help me know what to do … whether this is right or not.
Bailey waited, but there was no answer. Just the peacefulness of being here in the carriage beside him.
When they reached the Kellers’ apartment, Brandon paid the driver and jogged to a waiting black Suburban. He said something to that driver as well and then hurried back to her side. The situation was just dawning on her. “You had a driver waiting here? Which means that …”
“I have a plane to catch.” He smiled. “Well, actually it can leave whenever I want.”
She laughed at his reality. Of course he’d flown on a private jet. He would create too much madness if he flew commercially. “So you really came just for this? My opening night and …”
“And the best few hours of my life.” He wasn’t teasing. “Hey … think about coming out to LA … when you have a break. Okay?”
“I will.” She felt all lit up inside, like it might be days before the glow from this night would wear off. If it ever did. She thanked him again and they hugged once more. Not the long hugs they’d shared on the 103rd floor, but a respectful hug that told her he wouldn’t put her reputation on the line, not now or ever. He stepped back and gave her a lighthearted wink. “Think about my question.”
He didn’t need to clarify which question. She waved goodbye and, after a lingering look, she turned and walked into the building. Long after she’d gone up to the eleventh floor and crept quietly into the darkened apartment, Bailey let the question play in her mind. She took it to God and remembered again and again how he had asked her. Was she ready? Was she ready for the friendship they shared to be something more? Bailey wasn’t sure if she had an answer now, but she knew one thing for sure.
After tonight, she was close.
Eight
SCHOOL WAS OUT — BOTH AT INDIANA UNIVERSITY AND AT LYLE High, which meant Cody had a great deal more time on his hands. The break was perfect, because Cheyenne was out of rehab, living with Tara. Though Cody still had daily practice with the football team, this first week of June he had become Cheyenne’s full-time helper.
He jogged up the steps of Tara’s house. She was so sweet, Cheyenne. So happy with whatever help she received from him. Not once had he heard her complain or show her frustration over her predicament. And because of her good