Page 48 of Bailey

A smile tipped up the corners of his mouth. “Oh, you like him, Bay,” he said, his voice taking on a teasing quality.

“Yes,” Bailey said again. “He’s a nice guy, and a good man.”

“And he treats you right?” Bryce asked.

“Yes,” Bailey said, her voice a touch more firm, almost a whisper.

“I’m glad, Bay,” he said, a sudden idea coming into his head. “You should bring him to our cousin nights.”

Bailey stepped back—not completely out of his arms, but he certainly couldn’t dance with her anymore. “Your cousin nights?” Her eyebrows practically flew off her face. “Bryce, I don’t come to your cousin nights. I’m not your cousin.”

“But you could come,” he said.

She glared at him for a moment before the fire in her eyes dimmed slightly. “Who comes to the cousin nights?”

“Not everyone who comes is a Young,” he said.

“Name one person who comes who isn’t a Young.”

Bryce blinked, his mind blitzing through thoughts. “Adam.”

Bailey scoffed. “Adam is married to Joey. So Lark doesn’t count, Cora doesn’t count, Belle doesn’t count, and Codi also does not count.” She raised her eyebrows again, silently challenging him to come up with another name.

“Kassie and Reggie come sometimes,” Bryce said, his voice in full defensive mode.

Bailey swallowed and shook her head, her blonde hair swishing softly. “Bryce, I know you mean well, and you’re the nicest guy on the planet and want everyone to feel included, but we’re not going to come to your cousin nights. That’s just ridiculous.”

“All right,” he said easily, though something foolish pinched behind his lungs. “But I think you and Reeves would fit really well there.”

“Perhaps,” Bailey acknowledged, but Bryce knew she wouldn’t come.

“Maybe we can double instead,” Bryce said.

Bailey looked like she might spit out another no, but a moment later she softened. “We might be able to double,” she said. “But Bryce, this is really new for me, and Reeves and I are still learning a lot about each other, so promise me you’ll just give me some time.”

Bryce had taken seven years away from Coral Canyon before he’d been able to return after he and Bailey had given up OJ for adoption. Needing time was something he understood on a deep, personal level, as well as something he felt he could always give to someone.

“No problem,” he said, and his quick country-music smile returned. “Really, I just want to make sure he’s good enough for you.”

Bailey smiled and shook her head. “I don’t think you really get to decide that.”

“No, but I still want to.” Bryce laughed, then he hauled Bailey into a hug and said, “Codi’s really tired, and I’ve got to get going. Thanks for dancing with me, Bay, and I really, really hope he makes you happy.”

He pulled back, but Bailey shook her head. “No, I make myself happy, Bryce. And when I’m happy, I make good decisions at work—and about my boyfriends.” She tilted her head at him, another silent challenge riding in her blue eyes.

“Right, yes, of course,” he said. “That’s not what I meant.”

“I know what you meant,” she said. “And I do enjoy being with him.”

Bryce nodded and swallowed, telling himself to leave before he said something else he’d regret. Thankfully, God seemed to be opening doors for him that day, because his momma came into view with Matty on her hip, and Bryce said, “I’ve got to get my son. I really would love to double with you and Reeves.”

He nodded at Bailey one more time and then walked away from her and over to his momma. “Codi’s really tired,” he told her. “So I think we’re going to head out early.”

“Oh, okay,” Momma said, and she slid Matty into his arms. “I’d like to head out too, but your daddy just sat down with all the band brothers, and it sure seems like they’re going to have a little mini-meeting here.”

She shook her head, but Bryce chuckled. “Well, I heard some of their songs on the Christmas album aren’t coming together quite the way they’d hoped.”

“Yes, they’re meeting with Harry and Belle next week,” she said. “And I think they’re going to hire them to do some of the arrangements.”