Escape Part 2

Candi didn't mind a boy being forward, but with how awkward he was making Bailey she was ready to tell him to take a hike. Her actions shifted gears when Bailey spoke and she wanted to slap herself for missing the obvious. Her friend had acted super shy around August at first too, and Bailey did point the guy out before, after she had her accident.

"The three of you looked to be having fun, I like fun." Liam paused looking Bailey in the eye and smiling before tapping his chin and holding up a napkin for Bailey to take. "And you look like you would be fun." Jeremy got real quite and wished he hadn't accepted this intruder, he made a judgment call and it was wrong. The guy just showed up and one of the girls was already gaga over him and he knew how the wind blew and soon he would be on the way back to the store and this guy would be the victor, girls always liked people like him. While the seventeen year old's mind spiraled to a darker self defeating place, Candi saw a chance to help Bailey a little. She thought August would be a good fit for her, but she had to admit Li had boyish good looks and some swagger. "Oops." Bailey said, taking the napkin and wiping his chin before giggling like some nervous school girl. The nerves were true at least.

"We are so fun! Right Jeremy?" Candi said grabbing the boys arms and holding his biceps to her chest. Her actions seemed to break the curse Jeremy was busy putting on himself as he turned his head to look at her in the eye. Seeing her smile and green eyes he dazed himself trying to memorize the visage and feeling. "Uh huh.. Ah Yeah, they are lots of fun."

"I don't know about you bud, but seeing these two smile might be the best thing I have seen all day." Liam said, placing his right arm on the booth seat behind Bailey. "Only today?" Bailey said, pouting a little as if he was some girl starving for his attention and wishing he could just shove him out of the seat and yell or scream. "Did I say today? No, beautiful, I meant in any of my days. You and your sister's smile are the best thing I have seen on any days so far. But who knows what the future holds for me, or us." He tilted his head back and laughed a little.

"I know it sounds like a line, but I only speak the truth. You agree with me don't you buddy?" Liam nodded to Jeremy who only nodded a little, quick to jump on the life line the smooth talking boy throwing to him. "Well I do love being complimented, but I also love fries." Bailey said reaching over and grabbing a few deep fried pieces of potato and munching on them and ignored the sorry excuse for a burrito in favor of the much tastier food. If he had to endure Liam, the least he was going to do was eat his French fries. "Would you like me to get you some?" Liam offered to Bailey, but motioned with his free hand to Candi so she knew she was included in the offer.

"Thanks Li, but we are watching our figure." Candi offered knowing how many calories the golden delicious pieces of food had. "Yeah and like I'm not that hungry." Bailey added as she ate more of the fries, thinking how many girls had stolen from his plate saying something similar. He would be all over him buying some good food, but that would extend the visit. His burger still wrapped up, Liam slid his tray closer to Bailey and scooted closer. The arm on the seat drifting to her shoulder and his other moved from the tray to Bailey's closest knee.

His skin crawled at the touch, it felt like his little brother was trying to not only hit on him, but feel him up. Stuffing some more fries in his mouth Bailey pulled out his phone and looked at a random screen before turning it off again quickly. "Oh, look how time flies, sis we need to get to our hair appointment." She looked over to Liam and mouthed the words

"Sorry" Butting the phone back into the little purse. "We both had like so much fun. Thank you Jeremy, Liam.. er Li but we had to run or they could give the appointment away to someone else. You two umm sit and talk, preferably about us." Bailey was talking rapidly, very much in a rush to get away from the situation that could only get worse if they stayed. Liam got out of the way as Bailey scooted out as quickly as she could and started to head away from the table before Candi could get out. "Hey, can I get your number?!" Liam called back to Bailey and then looked to the other blonde who hadn't escaped nearly as quickly. Candi looked to Bailey and then back at the boys. "Jeremy has our numbers, gotta go, sorry." She apologized as she hurried after her friend who she caught up to as she ran into a bathroom and then a stall.

The stress of the situation and the intake of greasy food into his stomach wasn't playing well and Bailey emptied the contents of his stomach into the toilet. Candi helped hold her friend's hair back and get her cleaned up and felt bad for Bailey. The poor girl had been trying too hard to lose weight and gave into temptation, she wasn't sure if they were in front of her if she wouldn't have grabbed some too. Standing in front of the bathroom mirror Bailey gazed into it at himself and Candi who had just wiped a wet paper towel over his chin. He had eaten so little and it was now gone, but the intake of the greasy food combined with being touched liked that he couldn't help, but remember what happened in the theater and if that could happen with Liam. It was all just too much.

"You okay?" Closing his eyes for just a few seconds Bailey nodded. "Sorry." The apology earned a hug from Candi. "Honestly girl, I'm totally impressed. You felt like you were going to throw up and still got an excuse out." With a deep breath Bailey looked into his own green makeup enhancing eyes. "That is what happens when you are friends with a Best."

"I'm okay now I swear." Bailey said with his hands on the sink counter, while Candi stood next to him running one hand through his blonde locks. Bailey could see her looking at him with a steady and supporting smile and he tried to return it, but to Candi it looked like her friend was trying to act okay. It was then that each of the girls' phones beeped to indicate a message. Bailey just glanced at the little white purse, while Candi got her phone out to check the awaiting message. "Looks like you made an impression on Li." Candi turned her phone around so Bailey could read what was on the screen.

Unknown: Hey this is Li, my new friend here just gave me both of your numbers.

Unknown: Look forward to that future I was talking about.

Bailey rolled his eyes, at the message, but wasn't so sure if the tables were turned if he wouldn't have said something similar. While reading what was on Candi's phone, Bailey's made several more beeps. With a small prayer to a God he didn't really believe in, he reached into the purse to see what more was said to him. There were two sets of messages, both from the same phone number listed as known. One was a group text to him and Candi, the other just to him. The first message made his blood run cold.

Unknown: Funny story, I already had this phone number in my phone. It used to belong to a good friend of mine.

Unknown: My brother said he passed his phone off to his girlfriend's daughter, and wow it is a small world for both the phone owners to be named Bailey.

Unknown: I think I will enjoy texting the new number's owner much more though.

Unknown: Let me know when the two of you are free to talk or hang out, or just you if you like.

He wasn't sure why he did it, beyond just wanting to keep his secret safe, but Bailey replied with a gif of Kermit jumping around with the words 'So excited for this' over his head. After he added Liam back to his phone contact list, and wondered how many more numbers that witch deleted from it. Candi saw the small smile that didn't look nearly as forced as the one she saw just moments ago and misread it as happy to have gotten Li's number, instead of the truth that he was just relieved to have gotten away with the act.

"I can tell you like him, but tell me the truth. Who do you think is cuter, Li or August?" The answer was nether, Bailey han no problem saying some men were good looking, but that isn't what she meant. If he had learned anything about Candi is that she was a meddler, and the last thing he wanted was this girl messaging Liam to spend time with them after the Salon. No, he wanted at least a few minutes to decompress before he went to this dinner and be done with the farce.

"Hard to say, but you have seen my diary and know I think August is just dreamy." Candi put her hands on her hips and gave Bailey an expression he thought was supposed to convey something and when Candi just leaned slightly more forward still giving him the same look and trying to will him to understand what it meant. "For Heaven's sake, why haven't you asked him out on a second date then!?" She sounded exasperated. Before Bailey could throw out an excuse Candi continued. "This is a new century, it is okay to be proper, but we can ask a boy out. It doesn't like always have to be up to them."

The entire conversation from what she wanted to talk about to the text messages was something Bailey was ready to put behind him. So he put the cute purse he was borrowing over his shoulder. "We are going to be late, and if I spend all my time with boys I would have less time for my sister." That should shut the girl up he thought. "Awww, your like so sweet and we have plenty of time. You should text him right now, just let him know you are thinking about him." Bailey fluttered his lashes a little bit as he blinked at the girl in front of him. "Ahh like now? Maybe later." Pressing her lips together Candi held out her hand palm up. "You are like way to nervous, he likes you. You wont screw it up I promise, but leave it to big sister to help. Now give." This will all be over tomorrow, this will all be over tomorrow, Bailey repeated to himself as he handed over the phone. "Good now pose for me, lets send him a photo. Come on, do it, stop that and put your hand behind your head and look away from the camera. Yeah like that!" A moment later a text message was sent with a photo of Bailey posing in the outfit he felt completely exposed in.

Bailey: Hey cutie, was thinking of you when I put this on today.

Bailey: Hope your Friday is going well, we should talk later. Going to get my hair done in a few.

August: Wow, Bailey you are beautiful.

August: I love Friday's, my favorite day of the week and you just made it way better!

"There, you will have that boy as your boyfriend before you know it." Candi said handing the electronic device back. One more message showed up when it was in Bailey's hand. An image of August standing in what looked like a work bathroom taking a selfie of himself in a gray button up shirt and skinny black tie. Bailey's eyes flicked up to Candi and then back to the photo and showed her. "Cute right?" The blonde teen agreed and the pair started to the salon, still early for their appointment. They of course couldn't walk in silence and it appeared she wasn't done with the topic of the two boys.

"So you think August is dreamy and are like obvi worried about ruining it with him, but I saw how you were with Li. What do you like about him? He is sooo different from August. Oh wow look at this!" He question was pushed to the side as Candi's attention was pulled to a dress in the display. Unlucky for him she still wanted an answer. Bailey considered the things he taught Liam to sell about himself to girls to get them intrigued. "Oh my god so much, like he has this bad boy vibe and is so confident. He was like soo giving us lines to totally impress us, but the way he looked at us I think he was telling the truth, it's like sweet."

The two had to actually go by that same fountain where Bailey had the wardrobe malfunction, and she stopped and pulled out a quarter from her purse. Candi closed her eyes, holding the coin tight in her palm before opening them and tossing it into the water. "I made a wish! You want one?" Bailey held his hand forward waving it slightly to let her know he had no intention to waste her money. "Suit yourself, but I wished our parents fell in love. Wouldn't that be so amazing! My Daddy goes on a work trip and falls in love with your Mom." Bailey looked to the fountain, he knew it was all bullshit, but something in him looked over the various pieces of stamped metal at the bottom of the water, wondering if he should try and get that coin from the fountain just in case. "Shouldn't have said that, you can't say your wishes from a fountain or your birthday out loud or they won't come true." Bailey said just starting to walk away to their destination. "Hey, that is not true at all, take that back!" Candi said rushing to catch up.

Inside Lovely Locks Boutique the two sat waiting for their appointment, both flipped through different magazines. Bailey was just looking at the different models, while he assumed Candi was finalizing her decision for what was about to happen. The day like every day had been a rollercoaster, this one was going to come to an end and never again would he have to get back on. So he figured why not just go with what she wanted, no fighting what was inevitable and just act like it was the best idea. Leave this kind, but pushy girl with a good memory before he shaved his hair off tomorrow. When the stylists for the two came to talk about what they wanted, Candi showed a photo in the magazine where she had folded the corner to hold its place.

"The two of you are alright blonde, and that look tends to start with someone with a darker base, but if you want that layered look with darker hair coming out to platinum blonde, we can create that with some lowlights." The four of them continued the discussion, Bailey just going along happily as his stomach sunk more and more. When they were done both the girls had a new hairstyle, that started with darker blonde hair that transitioned to platinum blonde, with slight curls throughout that came to a V cut just above the center of their backs. To get the right length both had to have some extensions put in and after hours of sitting the chair Bailey didn't have to act surprised to see the change.

Standing by the register Candi was bursting with excitement, something Bailey tried to mimic. "Oh my God, oh my God, oh my God. Just look at us, this is perfect!" Giving her the best smile he could, Bailey glanced at the mirror they both stood next to as one of the stylists rung them up. He thought if people mistook them for sisters before, they wouldn't have any doubts now. "Perfect is a word." Bailey looked between the two of them in the mirror, wishing it was someone else he was looking at. When the bill was handed over Bailey didn't even look at it before handing it over to Candi. "Oh, oops." The oops was more than enough to draw his attention. "What is oops?" Candi turned the piece of paper around so Bailey could see.

"Going to spend a little more of Daddy's money than I intended." She said with a sheepish grin before handing over a credit card her Dad had given her. "Daddy's money? I thought Mommy gave you money?" Candi signed the receipt making sure to leave a large tip. "Daddy's money, Mommy's money, all that matters is it is spent and with how you can't stop looking at yourself it was money well spent!" Bailey glowered at the teen for a second before looking back at himself and posing a little. The tuck kit was doing its job as he eyed himself. He heard Candi giggling and looked to her holding her phone. "What are you doing?" He said with suspicion and instead of a verbal answer she turned her phone around to see a text message sent to August, Ryan and himself with a photo she had just taken of the two of them as he was posing.

Candi: New look, what do you think?

August: I think I want to know if the two of you have plans for tonight?

Ryan: I want to know if you are free right now!

August: I would have to wait another hour to get out of work.

Ryan: Thinking hitting the club or going to the drive in and catching a flick?

The messages kept pouring in from the two before she spun the phone back around to address the boys.

Candi: We would love to, but tonight is family dinner.

Ryan: Any room in the family for me?

Candi: Unless you have a ring you might want to stop.

August: Ryan, we hit a jewelry store for rings and then see about dinner with the extended family.

Candi: OMG STOP!

August: Seriously though, you both look wonderful. Have fun tonight.

Ryan: Candace, Bailey, you both are beautiful. My friend here is right, both enjoy yourselves.

As the Uber pulled into his apartment complex Bailey looked down at his clean shaven smooth legs and the multiple bags at his heeled feet. A day of rest turned into purchasing a pair of way too expensive heels, a choker, more panties and a new hairstyle, then there was the counter with Liam. No, he wasn't going to think of that path anymore. This time tomorrow he would be back in his clothes, a shaved head and have to dip into his savings to get a new phone, but tonight he was finally going to have Mandy to himself. Derrick might want her, but he would be the one fucking his woman.

"Bailey, earth to Bailey." He snapped out of his mental revelry where Mandy had only removed her dress and was straddling him. "Huh, what?" With a slight shake of her head Candi pointed out the windows. "Come on girl, your stop. See you tonight." After a hug Bailey got out of the car with his new purchase to grow the ever growing woman's wardrobe and made his way to the apartment door. As he pulled out the pink key he gave a silent prayer that Aunt Megan wasn't there. Stepping inside all the lights were still on like he left them.

"Hello, Aunt Megan! Mommy you here?" When no reply came he pumped his arms and danced a little in place in joy that he had at least the smallest moment to himself. The time would have to be spent getting dolled up, but it sure beats that witch being here and coming up with some punishment, like using the dildo, or spanking him again for something that wouldn't have happened anyhow if she didn't do this to him. Quickly he grabbed the shoes Candi wanted to borrow and hurried back to her, hating the bra-less outfit more and more with each step. When he handed the shoes to her the teen girl smiled happily looking at them, giddy with excitement. "I just love that we have the same shoe size." Bailey looked back to the shoe in her hand and smiled. "It has been like amazing, but like how about you keep them." The smile on Candi's face brightened. "No way! Are you sure?" Bailey eagerly nodded, happy to lower the girl accessories down, even if it was just by one. "You got me so cute heels today, it is the least I can do." Bailey tapped the roof of the car as if to say goodbye when Candi rejected the offer. "Hmm, I would. I really would, I love these shoes, but my closet is so much bigger than yours. I promise to get them back to you, okay?" Agreeing with the girl so he could get back inside, he considered maybe he could get some money for the clothes online.

When Amanda came home, she dropped her purse off on the kitchen counter before looking into Bailey's room to see how she was doing. "Hey princess, how was your day?" It seemed like every time she looked in on Bailey lately she saw her once boyfriend, now daughter sitting at the vanity doing something feminine like doing makeup, or writing in that little pink book with a colored pen. Today Bailey was sitting at the vanity already in the little black corset, stockings attached to the garter belt and applying another coat of red nail polish. What really shocked her was Bailey's hair. "Oh, hi Mommy! Today was like really a lot, but what do you think?" It was getting harder and harder for Amanda to remember who Bailey was, not just from looking at the pretty teen in front of her, but the way he always acted and talked. "You look beautiful princess. Stand up for a moment sweetie and I will tighten the corset for you." She expected a little fight or even a grimace, but Bailey only stood up and spun around. "Do you need any other help getting ready?" Amanda watched Bailey flip her much longer locks over her shoulder and smile. "No I got it."

Leaving the room Amanda gave one last look and shook her head before heading to her room. Wondering what happened to the arrogant man, while Bailey looked at the empty doorway as his girlfriend vacated his room. "Hours, we only have hours left." Bailey went to take a breath and felt a little light headed, forgetting to adjust for the now tighter torture device. Looking back to the mirror he looked at his reflection and blew on his glistening red nails. He didn't think the nails needed another coat, but considering Megan was there the first day of all this he thought she might show up to be helpful the last and bring back his clothes. That damned woman was going to make him beg for his own clothes back, he was sure of it. Picking up a brush looked at either side of his face ready to do some contouring.

"Time to look pretty." The process of getting ready for a night out was much more involved than Bailey would have liked, but after slipping on his brand new heels he left the bedroom and saw the master bedroom's door closed. With a stop at the bathroom to take another dose of those pills, he knocked on the door before opening it. "Mommy, you almost ready?" Stopping just a foot in the room, Bailey felt his breath stuck in his chest as he took in the vision of beauty that was Amanda Best. Who ever said a woman was past her prime in her late thirties had never seen this woman.

Bailey was seeing her from the back, but Mandy was leaning over her dresser as she looked in the mirror. Her wonderful ass was on display in the little black dress, from behind it was tight, but went below her knees, though he knew it had a slit up her left leg in the front. "Almost ready pumpkin, oh come here I have something for you." Bailey wasn't sure what she had, but hoped it was not some last minute girly gift to remember this all by. What she had for Bailey was a few spurts of her perfume, a scent that drove him wild. Every time he smelled the scent it made him want to kiss and nibble on her neck.

"There you go, now you smell as pretty as you look." Looking at his pretend mom he smiled. "I loved that perfume on you, thank you for sharing." It was odd, Bailey was the tallest he had been in his life in the towering six inch heels, allowing him to be six foot tall, but even in shorter heels his girlfriend was still just taller than him. "Sweetheart, you look so amazing tonight, would you mind if I took some photos?" Glancing at himself in the mirror Bailey didn't really want proof any of this was happening, but just earlier today he read the horrible diary to a camera, where Candi was going to upload it for him. "Well if you weren't, I totally was. Mom, we look hot tonight." The comment made Amanda laugh as she escorted Bailey to his room.

"Maybe sit at your vanity and pretend to be touching up your lipstick." Amanda took a few more shots of Bailey before it was time to go. The idea of having a few shots of his sexy girlfriend was something he pressed for, but the best he could get was a few photos taken of the two of them, mother and daughter happy and ready for a night out. Bailey held the small clutch purse between his two hands looking down at the ground, watching his shadow move in the remaining light of the Friday sun as they waited for the Conners to show up to the restaurant. It wasn't the first time Bailey had been to places that had front door valet parking, but it was the first time he had done it wearing a dress. More than once this week he felt like everyone was looking at him, but as a worker opened the door for him he felt uncomfortable. The thought of asking if they could go sit at the bar crossed Bailey's mind, but he knew the option to imbibe anything alcoholic was not an option. The last sip of alcohol ended up getting his ass slapped by Mandy and while that wouldn't happen again, he knew a drink tonight was off the table. So he stayed silent just watching the diminishing shadow as the two of them waited for the rest of the party to show up.

Sitting in their car Derrick looked to his daughter. "Are you ready to head inside?" Candi who was touching up her mascara in the small mirror on the back of the sun visor stopped what she was doing and gave her father a quizzical glance. "It takes time to look proper, Miss Best will understand. I might be able to hurry if I knew my Daddy was in love. Are you in love Daddy?" Derrick wanted to give his daughter a flat look. "Candace, that isn't appropriate." He then looked away from the girl, unable to hold in his smile.

He wasn't some kid with puppy love and knew it was something that had to grow and be fed. But the connection with Mandy was real, he was going to give this his best shot. When they got out of the vehicle Derrick saw his daughter bursting with energy and her trying to contain herself and stop from skipping forward. "Here let me see." He said for Candi so that she turned and looked at him, bouncing on the balls of her feet a little. Derrick leaned a little to the left and then the right as if he was inspecting her. "Hmm well you do look pretty, so the time was well spent. No promises on not trying to rush you out the door in the future though. We were never on time for anything with your mother, so why not continue the trend." He saw his daughter give him a full toothed smile. "Time well spent, not a second wasted. Now come on, you are making us late." Rolling his eyes he followed.

To the side of the front door a few steps back from the valet attendants Derrick saw the best girls waiting. He saw Mandy spot him right away, and even from this distance he was happy to see a small smile come to her face, while Bailey was at her side spacing out. He wondered if she had ever been tested for ADHD, and wondered if it frustrated her to have trouble focusing.

When they got closer Candi couldn't contain herself anymore and rushed forward as quickly as she could in her heels and was happy the ground was even considering his daughters lack of coordination at time and how tall her shoes were. When his eyes moved from Candace they look to Mandy and went right to her blue eyes and couldn't help himself from increasing his pace just a little While Bailey stayed still for Candace to go to her, he saw Mandy take a few steps to meet him part way. Just a few hours ago the two of them were holding one another in bed and it felt like it was too long. Derrick gave her a quick hug, taking just an extra second to enjoy the feeling of her body pressed into his before giving her a kiss. Stepping back he looked the gorgeous woman up and down at her choice of outfit.

"Mandy, you are ravishing tonight. I wish I could see you everyday." He could make out the blush on her cheeks, he loved seeing her react to his compliments like she wasn't used to getting them. "Thank you, but did you mean, you wish you could see me like this every day? Because that would take a lot of time, are you prepared to make sure I get paid even though I will be late to work?"

"No, Mandy. I meant what I said. I wish I could see you everyday." The blush hadn't vanished from before and she held her hands to her cheeks as it increased. "Though I think I could authorize that if you are willing. As Candace told me, it is time spent, not wasted." Amanda looked away from Derrick over to the girls behind her, wanting to look anywhere, but at this man until she could get herself under control.

"She does look wonderful tonight." Amanda said feeling Derrick step up behind her and wrap an arm around her waist and take her hand in his. "All three of the princesses I get to accompany look beautiful this evening. All three match one another, the real challenge I have is picking who I shall dance with first this evening. The stubble scratched her cheek a little as he gave it a quick kiss before whispering. "Shall we go inside?" Her initial reply was to maneuver so that she was still holding his hand and could move in to give him a kiss with just the hint of tongue. "Who to dance with first, Princess Candace, Princess Bailey, or Princess Amanda. If your goal was to impress me, it might be cute to see you with either of our daughters, but you run the risk of me feeling jealous for not being chosen first. Choose wisely." She heard Derrick chuckle a little at her playfulness.

"I did say it was a challenge, but I think I have an idea. I also can't help but notice our girls have the same hair style now. Candace is awfully fond of you, better make sure you take home the right girl tonight. I wouldn't put it past them to swap outfits like this is the old parent trap movie." The comment made Amanda laugh, she knew for a fact Bailey was not going to go for that.

The four walked inside and felt the cold air wash over them, it was cranked up high to fight the Nevada summer heat. Inside just ahead was a check in station that the girls rushed up to. "Reservation for Connors Best family!" Candi said happily. Off to their right was a large bar, to the left were several small tables. This area was for people coming in to enjoy the live music and have small plates. The group was led forward down a few steps that had a polished brass hand rail in the center to a level of booths. If you kept going down one more level there were more tables in front of an open dancing area and a stage that had a string quartet accompanied by a piano.

The place was like taking a step back in time and each of them took a moment to appreciate the hidden gem. The smooth music filtered through the room in a way that made it easy to listen to and quite enough to hold a conversation. Bailey looked around and wondered how much money Derrick was going to spend tonight, and felt lucky he no longer had to compete for Mandy with him after this was over.

Sitting in the booth Derrick held the wine list discussing with Amanda next to him what they might want to try. When a waiter came by a lean older man in his fifties to drop off small glasses of water for everyone. "I will be right back for your drink orders, I just have to drop these off." Bailey watched the man walk away with a tray that held a long island iced tea and a bourbon on the rocks. Candi didn't notice where her friend looked, but noticed the little bit of sadness. "Hey, did you hear about the kidnapping at your school?" Bailey wasn't sure what local school he was supposed to have attended; there were multiple to choose from and was suddenly worried Mandy built more onto the story without telling him. "Oh no, that sounds terrible."

The worry was real, just not for the topic. Candi already started to giggle seeing her friend's concern. "Its like okay, he woke up!" The giggling continued as she leaned into Bailey. "He woke up!" It wasn't funny, but the joke and the girls natural charisma worked. All the sudden stress and tension fell away as Bailey couldn't help himself from laughing along with her. "Okay, okay. Why was the math book so sad?" The joke could barely be called that, but she still had to fight through her giggling to build up the next one. "Cause math is like hard." Bailey didn't mind math, he was good with numbers, he helped with his parents books when he was a manger for their store and did most of the finances for Mandy and him, but it sounded like something Bailey Ann would say and think. "No silly, well yes, but because it had too many problems." Bailey made a face like he swallowed a lemon. "That is so bad!" But still he laughed along with her.

Derrick nudged the wonderful woman at his side, the girls were using inside voices but it wasn't hard to overhear what they were saying and definitely not difficult to see the fits of laughter. He shared a look with Amanda, both happy to see the two so happy. Amanda looked at her feminized boyfriend, seeing no trace of the man he was a week ago, just a truly happy girl. Who was enjoying something so small as a silly joke with a friend. Bailey looked so happy and in return it made her feel that way too.

When she was on the way back home she started to feel guilty about what she had done, even if it was with Bailey's permission. By the time she was sticking her key in the door a knot had formed in her stomach, but seeing what to the world looked like an eighteen year old girl happily getting ready for a night out the knot loosened, and now forgotten. While Derrick looked at the two amazed at the bond he was seeing, the two acted like they knew one another for years. He worried about Bailey after what happened at the water park and thought she might have been putting on a brave face and trying to keep busy with everything she accomplished with her Aunt and Mandy for dinner, but seeing her right now, like this. He knew she didn't have a care in the world, the only thing that mattered was right now. She might not be the type of person to be good at planning things for the future, but he didn't know many who could just live fully in the moment and it kind of made a bit more sense why she had a hard time focusing if the girl was trying to make sure she remembered everything that was happening. To try and not forget what she had, like when he caught Candace looking at a photo of her mom and struggling to remember. Then there was Candace, he still remembered the day he first held her in his arms. He never thought about being a father and was terrified he would break her, and now she was almost all grown up. Looking more and more like her mother everyday. Derrick looked at them and took Amanda's hand in his, forgetting about the menu he held in his other hand, trying to take a page out of Bailey's book and just sit and enjoy the moment and try not to miss anything so he could remember it all.

It was Amanda's turn to nudge Derrick as he completely missed the waiter coming back. "Oh, umm welcome back. We were just making our final selections." His voice was steady, but Amanda wasn't fooled by his words to buy a few more seconds. "A bottle of your Sauvignon Blanc please, and two glasses." Derrick named the wine that Amanda's long nailed index finger was pointing at. "Coke for me!" Bailey declared before Candi looked at him. "Giving up on our diet tonight?" Rolling his eyes Bailey looked back to the waiter. "Fine… water with lemon for me." He said in a very defeated whine.

"Sparkling grape juice for me please." Candi said to the waiter as Bailey looked offended. "Hello, the diet?!" He said annoyed at the little hypocrite. "One glass will be fine, it has like less than twenty calories. How many would your coke have?" Bailey really had no idea, other than knowing it had a lot in it. "Ahh maybe like 50?" He guessed. Derrick actually knew the answer to that one, back in college he did a paper on different sodas and how bad they were for you. He still drank them, but it was an easy topic when the cans had a label on them to tell you everything you needed.

"Just under a hundred and fifty Bailey. Have one if you want, but it is not diet friendly I'm afraid. But if you do have one I wont tell anyone, just a secret between the two of us and whoever listens in on others conversations." He mock whispered the last part across the table. Even if Bailey was going to take him up on the choice, the waiter was gone, leaving the group to decide on their meals for the evening. Candi poked Bailey in the side in a way that tickled him. "You should know by now I'm a nosey sister, I listen to everything. No soda!" With the second and third poke, Bailey was back to not being able to contain his laughter, it continuing for a few seconds after she stopped to get himself under control. "I got it, I got it. You win, you're the boss. Just no more of that please." He said trying to catch his breath and the corset under the little dress wasn't helping the task.

When the waiter returned with the drink everyone quieted down from this discussion about dinner and the different options. He started at the far end of the booth with Candi. "I saw some lamb earlier in the week and Bailey looked to just love it. So The lamb shoulder with eggplant please." Bailey had looked through the menu, and right away was intimated by the lack of prices on the menu, it just said all food was priced at market rate at the top. Much of it sounded incredible, his eyes went to the porterhouse steak, but things like the lamb, or the duck sounded great. He doubted he could get away with the steak, and was glad he had other good options instead of things like the veal tongue. The lamb with eggplant sounded good and he was going to go with that, but when Candi mentioned the meal from earlier in the week Bailey thought about being fed by August and then he thought about swallowing what the man gave him in the theater, and his stomach turned at the thought it and wondered if he would ever be able to have it again without thinking of cum.

"Ahh, come back to me please." To Amanda the lamb sounded good, and she thought it was funny to see Bailey look over the menu in concentration, not able to make up her mind, but she knew exactly what she wanted the second she saw it on the menu. "The Artichoke foam and lightly smoked salmon sound too good to pass up." Derrick passed his menu to the waiter. The porterhouse, medium rare with the garlic butter. For a side I would like to sub the baby carrots for some mashed…" Derrick stopped when he saw both the girls across the table glaring at him. "Daddy, try to be a little healthy." He figured Bailey was eyeing him for the same reason and held up his hands in defeat.

"The baby carrots are a fine pairing with the steak I'm sure, we will stick with them. Thank you." Bailey somehow hated this man more than he ever had, more than when he called him princess, more than he did when seeing him kiss his woman. Bailey had seen and smelled someone else getting that steak and he really needed to have it. "Mr. Connors, that steak is awfully big and it sounds yummy. Do you think I could have some?" Derrick looked to Bailey then gave a second for a glance to the other two women at the table to see if they were going to shut the poor girl down.

"Not sure if this is a trick to get me to eat less steak, but it is hard to say no to you princess." He looked back to the waiter. "Could I have that steak cut in half, an extra helping of carrots and two..." Derrick looked around the table again. "A small house salad for each of us I think should keep them from being unhappy with my choices for most of the evening." The taste of victory was almost as savory as the steak he was going to get to eat, and it was a double victory. He got what he wanted and deprived this man from having some of it, all the while having to pay for it. Bailey was busy self congratulating and didn't notice Amanda openly kiss Derrick on his cheek and thanking him for what he did. "That was sweet of you to do. She might not look like it, but Bailey could eat that entire thing herself, you might have just won points with that little maneuver." Sliding his arm around her waist Derrick pulled the blue eyed blonde closer to him to kiss her on the lips. Looking into her eyes as the kiss ended he smiled that big contagious smile. "I would share everything with you and yours Mandy."

Amanda felt her cheeks getting warm again so she broke the embrace. "Good, because I am taking what is yours." She said, pouring his still full wine glass into her half empty one, ignoring the mostly full bottle at the center of the table. She tried to calm her heart down a little bit, the closeness, the kiss and his words brought all sorts of thoughts from earlier today and of things that could be to her mind. They weren't ones she could afford, she would enjoy tonight, but then he was going back to California and things would go back to how they were. As high as her heart soared from what just happened, as she completed that thought it felt like she had grounded herself with more disappointment than she would have expected.

The beep of his phone made Bailey look to the tiny purse and pull out the device. He had apparently missed a few messages, he had one from Candi, August <3 and Aunt Megan. He wasn't sure when the heart was added to the contact list, but it didn't matter. What does dear loving Auntie want he thought as he clicked on her first.

Aunt Megan: Have fun tonight and enjoy the experience, tomorrow we can talk about clothes.

No orders, no threats, and she was ready to give back his clothes. Bailey really thought she was going to make him beg. First steak, now this. Bailey was happy, the end of the tunnel was in sight. Next was August, he had sent a few messages.

August <3 : Just got off work, Thank you for making my day better. You have no idea how much I needed that.

The second message was a photo he took of a Mega Corps newsletter, showing an image of Candi and Bailey running the three legged race.

August <3 : This feels like it was just the other day, saw it and thought of you. Have a good evening, I'm sure you look beautiful.

It was sweet, Bailey could admit that and he was in a good mood. So he sent over a picture Mandy had taken of him sitting at that vanity with legs crossed and his head resting on the back of his hand to show off his long red nails. If the witch was being nice to him, the least he could do is pass it along. The last message was from Candi and he glanced at her. It was odd for her to send a message when she could just as easily whisper something to him.

When he opened the text he pursed his lips together and his eyes went wide. It was an image the girl must have just taken with Derrick and Mandy, his Mandy facing each other in their seats kissing with their eyes closed. The photo was just a single second caught on film, it didn't tell him if they were making out, a lingering kiss or a quick one. But it was something that happened right there in front of him and he hadn't noticed at all. Seeing Bailey's look of surprise, Candi leaned in whispering.

"Wishes can come true, see!" The word wishes in his mind morphed into dreams and from dreams to nightmares, this week was a nightmare. One he was thankful to know he would wake from, he just had to wait and hold on. The nightmare would be over soon, he just had to be the bubbly girl for a little while longer. If he fucked up now all of it, all of the torture would have been for nothing more than to get him into more trouble. Mandy, Megan, Candi, the law and… Bailey paused as he involuntarily gulped, with Derrick a man that would rip him to pieces before anyone had a chance and he wasn't even sure if him getting his hands on Bailey first would be worse or a mercy.

Looking down at the image on his phone again Bailey looked back to the excited green eyed girl. "Maybe it is just you, maybe next time you wish for something for me like to win the lottery." Bailey whispered back, causing her to giggle a little.

"Mandy, I have made my decision and I'm not sure if you knew this, but Bailey told me she always wished she could be a ballerina." Amanda put one hand over her mouth in shock as she looked over to Bailey who was looking red faced in embarrassment. "Sorry princess for saying so out loud, but I do it only so that your Mom understands why I'm going to ask you for the first dance tonight." Bailey shook his head no, but it was hard to put up a real fight with the pushy girl next to him and his own girlfriend smiling and encouraging him. As Derrick took Bailey's hand in his he felt so weak and helpless, in the heels he looked the man evenly in the eye, but his larger hands encompassed his own as he led Bailey to the dance floor. With one last look over his shoulder Bailey's platinum blonde ended hair swung away so he could see Mandy and Candi scooting closer together with their eyes trailing him.

Getting to the dance floor Derrick put one hand on the pretty teen's hip and took her hand in his, holding it high. "I wont say something silly like don't be nervous." He said reading the girl's face. "Just follow my lead and let the music flow." The girl pursed her red lips and looked down at her feet. "Easy for you to say, you aren't in like these cute heels." Bailey wished he hadn't just said cute, but there it was and now he was going to have to quickly learn to dance backwards on the stilts.

The music started and Bailey was stiff at first, not used to letting someone else lead, but didn't find it nearly as hard as he thought to move in the shoes. He imagined he was going to fall and break something. It seemed a week of wearing nothing, but heels paid off in this one instance.

"I understand you enjoy a good steak." Derrick said trying to distract Bailey, she was doing fine, just a little rigid as they moved.

"Mr. Connors, you have like no idea." If I could get away with taking all of your steak tonight that would have been what happened buddy. He thought and gave a little smile at the mental image. "About an hour from here is a Brazilian steakhouse, maybe just the two of us could go sometime. Candace doesn't eat much red meat. And you can call Derrick if you want."

A few couples moved across the polished wooden dance floor and as he was distracted Bailey looked much more comfortable in the arms of the man. "That would be amazing, like too bad you have to leave, I would love that. But I do have to call you Mr Connors or Mr Derrick, rule number one is to speak to adults properly." Bailey knew the location he was talking about and loved visiting. He went once with Mandy, but it wasn't something she enjoyed much, so it became a favorite of his and Chucks. His mind made a mental sigh, adding Liam to the list.

Waiters at that Brazilian steakhouse brought around all sorts of cut meats on a tray, and no matter what they had, someone else had the same thing, but also wrapped in bacon. It was like being able to visit heaven. "Leaving would put a damper on such a great plan like that, we will figure something out. But we have to come up with a cover story so your big sister doesn't let out her wrath upon us. Any ideas?" Bailey imagined what would work, not that he had to. This was something that couldn't happen, tomorrow meant no more dresses .

"I could tell her I was getting to know Daddy and it was a secret. Mr. Connors, if Candi was a cartoon character I think she would have had like those tiny red hearts in her eyes when I accidentally called you that." Derrick was impressed with how well Bailey was moving, it wasn't as if she was classically trained or anything, but she had this natural way of moving to the music now that she wasn't over thinking it.

"No that wont work, she wouldn't go gaga over something like that." Bailey thought again back to the girl and was sure it would. "Yes, it like totally would." Derrick shook his head slightly as he smiled at the girl he held in his arms. "It just doesn't sound like her, sorry." Bailey became more adamant, did this guy not know his daughter. "It totally would!" Derrick pretended to consider it again. "Prove it, when we get back to the table." Damn is this guy dense, or at least blind to who his daughter was. "Fine I will.." As he agreed something hit Bailey. "You tricked me!" The accusation caused him to throw his head back and laugh.

"So I did, does that mean you won't prove it?" With each step Bailey could feel the way of his body, earrings and its attachments swayed. The tightness of the dress, the restaurant's air conditioning blowing on his bare shoulders and across his stockings, the clicking of his heels on the hardwood floor. All of it reinforcing the girlishness that had become his life, making him feel small and vulnerable. The guy was trying to win points with his daughter, and he couldn't blame the guy, he had lied worse to make Mandy think better of him.

"That like depends Daddy, what do I get?" Bailey said, fluttering his lashes. "You my dear have been learning from Candace, very dangerous." Bailey laughed at that, the guy was wrapped around his daughter's finger, someone else doing it might just drain his accounts. "How about I put in a good word with your mom about getting that learners permit?" That was a horrible offer, it would get Bailey nothing, but it would get Bailey Ann what she was supposed to want. "Oh my God! You would do that? That would be like the best!"

When the dance came to an end Bailey was internally grumbling while he kept the vapid smile on his face after Derrick had kissed his forehead and laid out compliments. "You dance gracefully, with everything you have to offer like those cooking skills, your beauty and that wonderful heart of yours, you will make some man... or woman very happy to be at your side. I know getting to know you so far has done that for me." Derrick was pleased with himself for catching himself, it was obvious to anyone Bailey liked boys, but Candace had been on him about being more politically correct and figured he should do his best.

Getting back to the table both the women looked happy and had obviously been watching. "Daddy is such a wonderful dancer, oh I mean Mr. Connors." Bailey said looking at the teenage girl at the table and trying to ignore any look his girlfriend might be giving him. Candi scooted out of her seat, her smile was much like he expected it to be. "Me next!" She said in at a volume not appropriate for the settings. Derrick took his daughter's hand and looked to the remaining woman at the table, as if to ask if this was okay to do first. She nodded with a smile to him before motioning for Bailey to scoot into the booth next to her as she patted the seat. Bailey paid little attention to the father-daughter dance, but Amanda watched them as she spoke to Bailey.

"You looked like you were having fun out there, laughing much more than I expected. Though I was not aware you had become so attached as to think of him as a father." Bailey considered how to answer the question, he wanted to tell her he was just doing the guy a favor and at the same time he wanted to say fuck Derrick, he wasn't attached at all, but they were in public. The truth could come out later, for now was the act. "Mr. Connors is a good man and I didn't mean to call him that. He just reminds me of my Dad sometimes." Amanda put her arm around Bailey's shoulder to pull the disguised man closer to give comfort. "He is a good man, and you feel like you are ice cold, are you okay?" Bailey didn't speak he just nodded his head, enjoying the warmth of Mandy.

Before Candi could leap back into the booth with all the energy she seemed to have to spare, Amanda stopped her. "Derrick, would you mind if Bailey borrowed your suit jacket, she feels a little cold." Removing his jacket, he smiled at Bailey and held it out for her. "For her, of course she can have the jacket off my back." When she got out of the booth Derrick wrapped it around her and rubbed her arms up and down a little to try and help the girl warm up.

"I don't mind at all, but I see three wonderfully dressed women, but not one brought a sweater or coat." Soon as his hands left Bailey he got back into the booth, ignoring whatever playful banter he was having with Mandy. He would have rather spent the rest of the evening next to her, but instead he got Derrick's jacket and she left to dance. When the couple made it to the dance floor their embrace didn't leave room between them like was done with the previous two.

"The girls looked like that had fun, I think you handled that well." Derrick looked into the blonde woman's eyes for a little bit just enjoying the moment before he answered her. "Candace is not a good dancer, she has fun, but my feet had been stepped on more than once. Bailey on the other hand is a wonderful dancer. I'm surprised you never had her take ballet classes."