One Reckless Night by Stephanie Morris Page B

Bayleigh looked down at her bare feet. She should
    put her shoes on. If she did she wouldn’t be able to pace like she wanted to. Her shoes were black
    heels so they would be easy to slide on when he rang the doorbell. And slide off just as easily once
    she sat down at the table. She tried not to tug at her ivory silk, knee-length A-line dress. The dress
    had a square neckline with a pleated empire bodice and band. Her confidence level rose several
    notches. Tasha had given it to Bayleigh on her thirtieth birthday.

    Bayleigh had followed Dane’s instructions. Now she just needed Dane to arrive before she
    drove herself insane with anticipation. When the doorbell did ring, she jumped. Walking over to her
    shoes, she slipped her feet into them. Her nerves skyrocketed. The doorbell rang again before she
    could calm them.

    “Coming,” she called out, before taking a deep breath. She walked toward the door on legs
    more sturdy than she felt. When she opened the door, her heart skipped a beat, maybe two. Dane
    wore a charcoal suit with a burgundy shirt and black tie. His hair was untamed as usual. Boy, he
    looked good enough to eat. If she didn’t know any better she would say he was moonlighting as a
    model for Esquire. Bayleigh managed to find her voice.

    “Hi, Dane.”

    He remained silent while his gaze roamed over her. “You look beautiful, Bayleigh.”

    “Thank you. You look very nice yourself.”

    Dane stepped forward and one arm encircled her waist, before he pulled her to him. His lips
    came down on hers and she accepted his kiss hungrily. He lifted his head a few moments later, much
    sooner than she would have liked.

    “Wow,” she whispered when he released her. He revealed the arm he kept hidden until then.
    Bayleigh smiled when she spotted the single white rose.

    “Thank you.” She twirled the rose, then sniffed it. The flower smelled fresh, sweet. She took
    it and placed it in a glass of water. When she turned to look at him, he smiled.

    “You’re welcome. Are you ready?”

    “Yes I am.”

    Bayleigh reached for her purse before following him out of her apartment. Dane stood to
    the side, waiting for her to lock up. When he took her hand, she relaxed.

    He led her to his car, opening her door for her. When he drove toward Southlake Town
    Square, she smiled. Her eyes widened after he pulled up to the valet stand at Regate. She had never
    been to the gourmet restaurant, but from what she heard it was very expensive. Dane led her inside,
    claimed their reservation, and had them seated before she could draw a good breath. The restaurant
    was lovely. Crystal chandeliers hung from the ceilings, white linens draped the tables. The wait staff
    moved quietly but efficiently. Dane ordered a bottle of wine while she took everything in.

    “Do you know what you want to eat?”

    Bayleigh turned her attention back to him with a blank look. “What?”

    “You haven’t looked at the menu, so I thought you already knew what you wanted.”

    “No.” Shaking her head, Bayleigh smiled at him as she picked up her menu. “I haven’t been
    here before. I was taking in the décor.”

    Dane smiled. “Do you like it?”

    Opening her menu, Bayleigh barely stifled her gasp at the prices listed. Lord have mercy the
    place was steep. She bit her lip to keep from laughing. Most things were in this city, but she loved
    Southlake. It was the reason she also tended to frequent more reasonably priced eating locations.
    Even with her salary, the prices she looked at made her anxious.

    Bayleigh tried to budget herself. Her mother always said just because a person has money
    doesn’t mean he or she needs to spend it. Yet she appreciated Dane’s gesture. Erwin would have
    never brought her to a place as lavish as this. In fact, he never had in the entire time they’d dated.
    But tonight wasn’t the night to waste her thoughts on him.

    Bayleigh made her decision and placed the menu aside. Dane was still looking at