Page 6 of I'm Your Baby Tonight

When I got my first nursing job at a hospital an hour away from Pine Grove, I thought it was far enough to forget Mike, but I was wrong.

That morning, when he told me he'd be back, I believed him. I waited three weeks for him to return, putting off moving to Glendale until I couldn't put it off any longer.

Glendale Memorial Hospital was a good place to gain experience. But, I became bored. I needed something different to keep my wandering mind busy since dating was out of the question.

Believe me, I tried to date, but I couldn't bring myself to go through it—canceling each date before it started. Knowing no one could compare to Mike, that sneaky jerk.

So, instead of turning my co-workers down again, I told them I'd meet them at the new bar in town. I even changed into a cute little slip dress—but I couldn't bring myself to leave my hair down. Whenever I need to feel closer to Mike, I French braid my hair like I did on our one and only night together.

I walk through the crowded bar, noticing the elegant layout and semi-private seating areas as I search for my friends when the sound of someone playing the piano reaches my ears. Which makes sense since I'm in a piano bar, but it's the song the pianist is playing, Billy Joel's She's Always a Woman.

A part of me wants to run through the exit and never look back—not ready to move on from my past. But the other part of me wants to hear more of the song if only to feel the way I felt that night at the concert, wrapped in Mike's arms.

The closer I get to the stage, the more nervous I get until I'm standing frozen in front of the piano and the man expertly running his fingers on the keys—a man I thought I'd never see again.

ten

Mike

"Dude, you really need to get over that chick. It's been almost two years since you last saw her. Your dick has got to be ready to fall off from lack of use."

"Shut up, Chad. You weren't there." Even after all this time, I can't stop thinking about Erica.

I finally found someone I could connect with, but I lost her. How could someone disappear into thin air?

"Chill out, man—I'm just yanking your chain. But seriously, you've got to get her out of your system. You're a hot commodity—young, single, moderately attractive owner of a thriving piano bar. It's about time you cashed in and start taking up all the horny women who drool all over you when it's your night to play the piano."

"Give it a rest." I push past Chad and make my way to my office, needing to escape his words.

As true as his words are, I'm not ready to move on from Erica. It might have been only one night, but it changed my life forever. I never would have quit my day job and followed my dream of opening a piano bar—all thanks to the love of my life.

I sit at my desk, going through my Rolodex, until I find the name of the person I'm looking for. Before I change my mind, I pick up the phone and dial the number. After four rings, I'm ready to hang up, but as luck would have it, she finally answers the phone.

"Hello." The soft voice on the other end of the line doesn't do anything for me. I'm not even sure it ever did. Carla and I dated a few times before I met Erica.

I might have considered a more serious relationship with Carla, but after that night with Erica, no one else would do. It's time to get back on that horse and move on with my life since Erica is like a ghost. I'm not sure I ever will if I haven't found her by now.

"Hi, Carla. It's me, Mike. I was wondering if you were free Friday night." My stomach lurches, and I think I'm going to be sick—this doesn't feel right.

"Mike, it's been a while, but you're about two years too late. I'm getting married on Saturday. I'm not sure my groom would be okay with me only out on a date the night before our wedding."

Relief floods through me. "You're right. I'm sure I would end up with a black eye or worse if I took you out on a date." Carla's a nice girl. I'm happy for her. "Congratulations, Carla. I wish you all the happiness in the world."

"Thanks, Mike. For what it's worth, I hope you find what you're looking for because we both know it isn't me."

"You're right." I'm just not sure how to find her. "I'd better let you go—good luck."

"Bye, Mike.

"Goodbye, Carla."

I set the receiver on the phone and ended the call. A knock on my office door pulled me from my thoughts.

"Come in," I call.

"Ten minutes before you're on." Tim, the bar manager, pops his head into my office.

"I'll be right out."

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