Page 38 of Too Good to be True

My hands tremble. My eyes fill with tears.

"Bailey, let me see you. I made a terrible mistake. A lot of terrible mistakes. Please."

I know I shouldn't open the door, but I'm tired of hiding and playing it safe. The only time I felt truly alive was when I took chances and risked it all. It's time to find that courage again. To stand tall and face my demons.

All of them. Starting with this one.

I pull the door open and stare into a pair of familiar blue eyes. I’m frozen on the spot, unsure of what I should do.

"Bailey!" Corey pulls me in his arms and kisses the top of my head. “Baby, I missed you so much.”

He squeezes me tight. I don’t push away from him, but my arms remain down at my sides. He pulls back and takes my face between his hands. He looks me up and down.

“Wow. You look incredible.”

Really?I look like shit. I’m in pajamas. I haven’t even attempted to put on an ounce of makeup or run a brush through my hair.

“I’m such a jackass. Please forgive me.” His eyes implore me. “I left you vulnerable, and that piece of shit Moore took advantage of you.”

At the mention of Tim’s last name, a whimper escapes me. Apparently Corey, like the rest of the world, knows how Tim played and humiliated me.

“I should’ve been there with you. Then he never would’ve had the chance to hurt you.”

Corey pulls my head against his chest and strokes my hair. I’m soothed by his familiar scent. Nothing sexy or manly. Just the combination of freshly laundered clothes mixed with baby powder. I feel safe as I nuzzle my face against him and allow him to console me.

Corey looks down at me, and his eyes take a long, deep look into mine. This time, I see a spark of passion that I haven’t seen in years. The tiny spark that’s been missing. But it’s not enough as his lips close in on me. I only have seconds to make the decision, but even in my badly broken state, I know I’m doing the right thing when I turn away.

“Bailey?” For the first time ever, Corey sounds unsure of me. Insecure even.

“I can forgive you, Corey. But that doesn’t mean I’ll take you back.”

“Thank fucking God!”

My heart pounds and throbs with fury.

Corey and I turn our attention to the still-opened door. I’m grateful I have Corey’s strong arms to hold me up. I can’t believe I didn’t close the door after I let him in. I can’t believe I left it wide open for Timothy Moore to walk back into my life.

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