Baxter had been back for over a week and Dani had grown antsy. Every time she asked when he wanted to discuss her cost savings proposal, he put her off. She held her breath waiting for Kasper to find out she submitted a plan for staff reduction. Ironically, the younger Kane gave her space, except to wish her good morning.

Dani would never admit that she looked forward to their daily exchange. Anytime he walked across the twentieth floor, her eyes followed him. If only the memory of his kisses would fade. Alone in her apartment at night, she entertained what would happen if she invited him over. Great sex, for sure. But then what? Kasper worked on the executive floor.

It didn't bother her that he had a reputation as a playboy. She didn't need a man and definitely didn't want one to control her life.

Kasper was up to something, but Dani hadn't figured it out. Baxter had been quiet about his brother too. Whatever their secret meeting was about, it must have fallen through. She smiled until she realized it was ten o'clock and he hadn't wished her good morning.

Kasper didn't come to work that week and Baxter didn't care. When she first pointed out his missing brother. Baxter reassured her that Kasper was working.

Her boss asked her to take notes at his finance meeting, but Donna came in to offer drinks. Dani hated serving drinks like a secretary. If she thought her day couldn't get worse, she was wrong. After a two-hour meeting, she had three messages from Darlene.

Baxter had meetings all afternoon, about the security issue, and neither he nor she had eaten lunch. With only thirty minutes between meetings, she sent a young intern for sandwiches. The kid had trouble getting the mail delivered to the right desks.

Dani had emails to answer and no time to think about her sister. Lunch arrived late, but Baxter didn't mind.

"I'm living up to my reputation."

"Except last week you were at work before the sun. Your mother called about the fundraiser on Saturday night. I didn't know what to tell her. Is the nanny's arm better?"

Baxter smirked. "Why are you offering to babysit?"

With two hands up, she said, "No, not me. Ask Kasper."

He laughed. "Kasper will be attending. Eleanor has already agreed. Tell my mother we'll be there."

She bit her tongue to stop from mentioning Kasper. If she asked about his project, her boss would think she was thinking about him, after he had just mentioned him.

Dani finally stepped into her apartment at seven-thirty, tired and hungry, but if not for the twins' bath time, she would have worked longer. With the reminder of the boys' bedtime routine, Kasper filled her thoughts. Helping to dress clean little boys hadn't been as awful as she let on. When they weren't fighting, working together with Kasper fueled her crush. She had grown accustomed to seeing him and missed him since he stopped coming to the office. Dani refused to admit her attraction for Kasper to herself.

Dani couldn't ignore her phone any longer, so she returned her sister's calls before she ate. Whatever Darlene wanted to talk about must have been important because even her father had left a message. If it was something urgent, her sister would have left a voicemail or a text. Even for trivial news, a text message would suffice. The multiple messages piqued her curiosity.

"Jesus, Dani. I've been calling you all day."

"I've been busy and only had five minutes to eat half a sandwich. I just got home, and I need to find something to eat for dinner."

A can of soup or a frozen dinner were her choices, since she no longer had the Kane's cook supplying meals like when she stayed at Baxter's house.

"I work on my feet all day. Tomorrow I'll work from nine to nine. That's twelve hours." Dani rolled her eyes, like cutting and dyeing hair was anything like her job. "Last night we went in for dinner and saw Leon. Guess what I found out?"

Beau is dead. In jail. "I don't know." She cared about her old boss, but didn't want to play guessing games.

"Beau's in Boston. You should look him up."

Dani felt her hands shake. "No, thank you."

Not even her sister knew the truth. Darlene saw a young couple in love, the football player and the smart girl. Beau was smart too.

"Seriously, you are still single. I would think you would jump at the chance to rekindle with your first love."

"I'm dating someone." She pictured Kasper.

"Another chauffeur." She told her sister too much. Usually, her goal was to prove she didn't have money to lend.

"No. He's very smart." And handsome.

"A nerd." Darlene laughed.

Not even close. It wasn't wise to picture Kasper the way she didn't want him.

"You're missing out. He's a doctor."

Dani shut her eyes. The thought of Beau close made her nauseous. "I have to go, um, eat."

Except she didn't think she could eat. The memory of those days before she left for Boston haunted her. No one knew she had applied to transfer from the university in Kentucky. Being an outstanding student and poor had some advantages, because she received a full scholarship. With the money from working at the restaurant all summer, she boarded a bus. As she rode north, she tried not to think about Beau calling her house when she didn't arrive on campus. He hurt her with his words. Most of his bruises were invisible.

She almost went to the University of Maine because it was the furthest. Instead, she went to Boston because the school offered the best scholarship and it was easier to hide in a crowded city. If Beau was in her city, then for the first time in years, she didn't feel safe. It couldn't have been a coincidence. As she lay in bed unable to sleep, she thought about running again. Her job and Baxter should have been her number one reason to stay, but she kept repeating the same thought on a loop. What if I never saw Kasper again?

Morning came with very little sleep. As she stepped into the shower, she felt the pain starting. Sighing, she texted Baxter as soon as she dried off. He had a full schedule of meetings, would he survive without her? Letting him down only increased the tension. After forcing herself to eat half a bagel, she took her medicine and went back to sleep. Maybe she would feel fine after a nap.

At noon, Dani was still fast asleep. She woke at four feeling better, but hungry. It was too late to go to work, so she checked her emails from her phone. Baxter had texted hoping she felt better.

As she ate the bowl of soup, she never ate the night before, the memory of when her migraines started haunted her. Beau never believed her. She couldn't fake the pain. How could he say he loved her when he never trusted her? Baxter accepted her condition without judgment. Kasper had shown the compassion she should have received from her boyfriend. The word made her cringe; it was synonymous with confinement. Obviously, Ivy, Tate and Doyle had different opinions. Dani refused to surrender the independence she earned the hard way. She turned on the TV to occupy her mind and to keep it out of the dark corners. As she waded through her emails, one from Kasper caused her to pause. Did he return to the office on the one day she was out?

She tapped on it. Hope you are okay. I'll stop by later.

She jumped at her buzzer. Too late to tell him not to come. She reached up and combed her hair with her fingers.

"Hello."

"Dani, let me up."

"I've been sleeping all day."

"I don't care. I brought burritos, the ones that put my father in the hospital."

She smiled at the memory of the scare that hadn't been serious. "Fine." She released the door. Her building was safe. None of her neighbors let strangers in, that thought was suddenly very comforting. She shivered; Beau was in her city.

He was probably charming a slew of women with his blue eyes and Kentucky accent. She wanted to feel proud of him for achieving his goal of becoming a doctor, but she had too much ill will.

The knock on her door made her forget Beau. She raked her hair with her fingers again as she opened the door. Her heart jumped when she saw him, even as he frowned.

"You look beautiful. Remember, I know the mystique of women."

"The mystique?" She tripped over her tongue as she took in his face. The beard he started had grown in more and he had trimmed it perfectly. She could see him on print ads smiling about cologne or something just as sexy.

"I know from Doyle, women wake up with a look they don't like. Let me tell you as much as men love a perfectly groomed woman, bedhead and creased faces are sexy too."

She shook her head. "You're sick. Where have you been this past week?"

His eyes twinkled. "Baxter didn't tell you?"

She frowned. "No."

He laughed. "Did you miss me?"

"No!" She sounded like one of the twins, as her tongue poked her cheek.

Kasper chuckled. "I knew you did. I missed you." Before she could react, he pulled her into a tight embrace. With his face against her hair, he asked, "Do you feel better?"

She didn't respond as she savored the comfort of his arms. Being independent could be lonely. Sliding into caring too much caused her to pull away.

"Why were you suddenly back today?"

"I had a meeting with my father and Baxter. It went exceptionally well. Are you curious?"

"No."

"Liar."

She frowned. Damn tongue.

"I'll tell you in exchange for a favor."

"A favor?" She smirked, shaking her head.

"Dirty mind. I only wanted a kiss, but now that you suggested it, you and me naked sounds so much better."

"I told you we can't."

He pulled her against him. "I told you we can. I have my own responsibilities now. You and Baxter can keep doing what you're doing."

"Reducing staff?"

He shook his head. "No, I'll need them."

"You? For what?"

He shook his head. "Kiss me."

Thanks for voting ⭐️