“Why do you think I would do that?”he probed.
“Well, the obvious elephant in the room is that we aren’t the same race,” she stated.“Then it’s obvious that I am different.Maybe this is just a challenge for you.”
He didn’t consider that to be a big deal.Over the years he’d connected with people from all walks of life.A person’s skin tone was the least of his worries.Now he needed to make that clear to Bailey.
“I’ve dated outside of my race before.That’s not a problem for me.Is it for you?”
Her eyes widened at his question.“Of course not, you’ve met my best friend, Ginger, even if only in passing.”
“True, but having a friend of a different ethnicity doesn’t mean that you are willing to date someone that is.”
“I’m fine with it,” Bailey confirmed.
He extended his hand to her.She hesitated a second but stretched hers out and placed it in his.While it was soft, he felt a rough spot or two.They weren’t quite callous stage but it was clear that they knew hard work.His respect for her grew even more in that moment.
“Then I think we’re okay.Now, I can’t promise you that I won’t ever do anything dumb,” he began and she stiffened before making a move to pull her hand back.He tightened his grip with a smile.“But I swear that I will never do anything to intentionally hurt you.That would make me beyond stupid considering how hard I’ve worked to get here.”
She studied him for several seconds and then nodded.“Okay.I’m willing to give whatever this is a shot.”
“Good.Now finish your cupcake,” he ordered.
She picked up the baked good before looking at him again.“Speaking of which, you have to cut back on bringing me these.I can’t afford for my hips to spread any more than they already have.”
“Trust me when I say you have a gorgeous ass.There is nothing to worry about,” he replied.
“I didn’t say anything about myass,” she retorted before rolling her eyes and taking a bite of the cupcake.
“I know, but it is connected to your hips so I wanted to clear that up in case you were wondering,” he retorted.
She shook her head.“You’re off to a bad start.”
“Really?Am I not supposed to compliment you?”he asked.
She frowned.“I’m getting ready to change—”
“Bailey!”
She jumped at the sound of her father calling her.Then she glanced down at her watch and flinched.
“Crap.My time is up.I have to get back to work,” she stated before stuffing the last bit of the cupcake into her mouth.
Duke rose to his feet, waving her away when she started hustling to clean up.“I have this.The only thing I want you to worry about is where you want to go for our next date.”
“Oh!Um...okay,” she stammered.“Uh...”
He pulled his cell phone out, unlocked it, and handed it to her.“Add your number while I put this away.”
There wasn’t much to get rid of so by the time he’d finished, she handed his phone back.Before slipping her arms back into the sleeves of her jumper.Much to his dismay, she had been more decent underneath than she’d claimed.The tank top covered more of her delectable skin than he’d hoped.
“I texted you from my phone so that I know it’s you when you reach out.”
He accepted the phone with a nod.“I’ll call you tonight.”
“Okay,” she replied with clear confusion.
“What is it?”he asked.
“It’s okay if you just want to text,” she stated.
