Read Naughty in November (Spring River Valley Book 11) for Free Online

through the door into the music store, determined to figure out, by the end of the evening, just exactly what words to say to make it clear that their relationship needed to remain casual.
    The moment she walked in, Claudia and Owen, who had been standing by the back counter, joined at the lips, broke apart like guilty teenagers.
    “Hey,” Claudia said with forced casualness. The pretty brunette smoothed her shiny hair and quickly tucked the hem of her T-shirt into her jeans. “Cold out there, huh?”
    Dani had to wonder how much less dressed Claudia would have been if she’d arrived any later. “Yeah, good thing it’s hot in here.”
    Blushing, Owen excused himself to tend to something in the back.
    Dani took her coat off and leaned on the edge of the counter, perusing the racks of sheet music that lined one wall of the store. “Taylor’s not here yet, I guess.”
    Claudia checked her watch. “Must be traffic. Hey, do you want Chinese takeout? Owen and I haven’t eaten, and we thought once Taylor got here we could order something from Jade Palace.”
    “Sounds great.” Dani eyed Claudia sidelong. Her cheeks were flushed, her lips plump and pink. She longed to suggest they just skip rehearsal tonight so the two couples could go their separate ways. She didn’t think Claudia would really object , considering the way she kept glancing longingly at the door through which Owen had exited.
    “That’s Taylor’s shirt, isn’t it?” Claudia asked suddenly. Apparently she’d been eying Dani at the same time Dani had been eying her.
    “Um…yes.” Dani restrained herself from asking how it was Claudia’s business. Taylor had told her the three had been friends for a long time. Now she wondered if before there was Claudia and Owen there might have been Claudia and Taylor.
    A slow grin tilted Claudia’s lips. “Good for you. It’s about time he found someone who can make him happy again.”
    Dani glanced at the door , relieved Taylor wasn’t strolling in at that moment. “He hasn’t been happy?”
    “Since Joyce left him he’s been…lost. He’s tried to date, but it’s never been serious. A few blind dates, but nothing’s come of them. I’m glad to see him involved in something meaningful.”
    Why was it that all the women in Spring River Valley seemed not only to know Taylor’s romantic history, but what was best for his future as well? Dani glanced away. “Ah.”
    “What?” Concern changed the normally melodic pitch of Claudia’s voice. “Did I get it wrong? I mean, you’re wearing the shirt he was wearing two nights ago. That looks serious to me.”
    “Well…yeah . I like Taylor a lot, but I wouldn’t call what we’re doing serious in any way. We’re just having a good time. That’s all.”
    Claudia nodded, seeming to digest that information. “Taylor needs to have a good time, but…well. I don’t want to butt in, but I know he’s looking for something more. He’s not the short-term, no-strings type. That’s why losing Joyce was so hard for him. He was in that relationship for the long haul, so—”
    Clearly Bailey wasn’t the only one who thought Taylor needed a wife. Dani held up a hand. “I don’t want to mislead him at all. I’m going to make it clear that I’m the commitmentphobe here. If he’s not okay with that, I understand, but—”
    “But you’re already wearing his shirt.”
    Dani sighed. “I know. It’s already complicated. Maybe too complicated.”
    “One thing should be simple. Taylor doesn’t deserve to have his heart broken again.”
    “That’s the last thing I want to do.”
    With a pointed look at the pilfered shirt, Claudia said, “It might already be too late.”
    The horrible part was, Dani had a feeling Claudia was right. She’d ignored her instincts about Taylor and let her desires plow right over her common sense. She shouldn’t have slept with him, and she hadn’t regretted it until now.
    Owen came out of the back room then, cell phone in