Her expression was strangely guarded. Then a motor started up nearby.
“I’m so sorry, Bailey, I–”
“Shh.” Her voice was barely a breath, but it was an order.
I didn’t know what it was about this darling girl that made me completely lose my focus. Why on earth were we hiding?
A huge black panel van that had been lurking at the end of the alley began coming our way. Holding her tightly against me, we became motionless. It was fascinating to watch her jump immediately back into laser-like focus, her eyes watching the concrete for the sec
ond the van came into view. She slowed her breathing so that we were statues.
We must not have been seen, as the van continued without pausing, turning onto the street until it was gone.
Bailey took a long exhale, then looked up at me. “Let’s wait a minute, then go to my place.”
“Okay.” Her tone of voice was odd. “When we get there, you’ll tell me what’s going on?” She nodded.
“Hey,” I whispered, rubbing her back gently, “Whatever it is, you’re with me now. I’m going to try to be the mellow, happy guy in your life. Okay?”
She looked up at me, her soft smile so pretty in the dim light. “Daniel, you’re amazing for me.” Her hands wound around my neck. “You’re wonderful. I just... Don’t want to be bad for you.” Her face crinkled as she looked upset again.
“No, hey...” I automatically began rocking her gently. “Bailey, please. I can see that your arm still hurts. You’ve been working too much. You’re out here in the rain and cold. Please let me take you home, okay? I won’t ask about anything other than why you’re in this alley all alone.”
Her chin tucked down, her face hidden by her hood. Then she peeked out in both directions before leading me out of the alcove and down the half crumbled old concrete.
I walked her several blocks to her door not sure if our silence was comfortable or not. “I have to go clock out at the station. Would you like me to come back in around twenty minutes?”
She bobbed her head, looking up at me intently. “Sure.”
I waited until she locked the door, then I rushed back to the station. I hurried through the few things I had to finish up, then quickly changed into regular clothes. I’m not sure why I wanted her to see me as relaxed. As a normal, nice guy. There were so many questions surrounding this girl, and I didn’t want to freak her out, but I did need an answer this time. I rushed back to her apartment just twenty minutes later.
Bailey came down to let me in, fresh from the shower. Her hair was down, slightly damp as it stuck to her shoulders in long brown waves. She was wearing a huge blue bathrobe. Seeing a tiny girl in clothing that was too big was something that always made my breath catch.
“Come on up,” she said, and I locked the door behind us. Besides the deadbolt with a key, there was an unkeyed lock, and a bar lock. The top hardware looked brand new.
This was a pretty safe neighborhood, and for her to feel the need for extra security broke my heart. I hated that she would ever feel unsafe in her own home.
We sat close to each other on the couch, and I took her hand. “Bailey, why were you hiding in the dark in the back alley?”
Her expression was almost too calm. “Sometimes I like to walk in the rain, but when it got cold, I took a shortcut.”
“But why were you hiding?”
She seemed uncomfortable. “I didn’t like the look of those guys in the van. They were seriously huge and creepy. I didn’t want them to see me.”
I squeezed her hand gently. “It is not my place to suggest what you should and should not do, but I’m sure you know that well-lit streets are considerably safer.”
Slim shoulders reached up in a shrug. “I know, I know. It was stupid. And I probably got all jumpy for no reason.”
She bit her bottom lip for half a second, obviously having no idea how seductive she looked at the moment. “I’ve never really lived in the city before, and I guess I just forget sometimes.”
I nodded. “Well, you’re okay. And that’s all that matters.” Then I paused. “Wait – why did you want me to hide with you?”
She sighed softly. “I guess I just didn’t want you to get into it with those guys if they were up to no good. I just…” She shook her head. “I don’t know. Weird gut reaction or something.”
I couldn’t stop staring at her delicate throat, and the hint of cleavage revealed by her relatively low cut robe. Reaching out, I tiptoed my fingers along her collarbone, then up into the back of her hair while she giggled.
Then she looked up at me, her beautiful eyes looking almost haunted. “Daniel, I don’t know what you’re looking for. And I don’t know if I can be the person you might want me to be.”