Why am I doing this again?

Sally stared at herself in the mirror. She sighed, pulling her button down shirt forward to cover her breasts. Not that they were easy to hide. She'd blossomed at twelve and they had just kept coming.

She tried yanking the top up underneath it. If she left the button down open over her pretty pink camisole, you couldn't see how big she was up top from the sides. Or how tiny her waist was.

She had the sort of figure that attracted attention a little too easily. Attention she didn’t want. Unfortunately, she didn't have a potato sack laying around.

It would have to do.

When Kaylie had invited her to the barbecue, she'd specifically mentioned leaving her cardigan at home. She'd smiled to show she was joking but Sally knew it held a kernel of truth.

She was unnaturally attached to her grandfather's old sweater. Maybe it was time to retire the ratty old thing. It made her feel safe though.

Hidden.

She stood up straight. No more. She'd been here for a few months now. It was plenty of time to learn how to protect herself. She’s worked her butt off at her self-defense classes.

No one could find her here. This town was her home now. It would be okay to go out and socialize a little bit.

It would.

Besides he would be there.

Donnie. The Devil’s Rider with the sparkling blue eyes and ready smile.

She felt a tremor of butterflies go through her. Donnie was a frequent presence at Mae's. Whether he was outside, lounging on his bike while waiting for Dev and Kaylie, or inside, lounging in one of the booths and eating apple pie.

The guy loved to lounge.

He was the most relaxed human being she’d ever laid eyes on. He seemed nice too. And he was way too good looking for comfort. Rugged, but with bright blue eyes. He had the kind of smile that could power an entire city.

She knew he was a biker and bad news. Those guys didn't treat women right. It was a well known fact that they used women like tissue paper.

Kaylie's boyfriend Devlin seemed to be the exception. He was absolutely devoted to her. It was almost funny, watching the big guy in leather follow her around like a puppy.

And Jack was the same way with his new girlfriend Janet. But they were special. Both were stunning not to mention they were smart girls. And they were different, stronger than Sally could ever be.

They were brave and always standing up for themselves, she thought wistfully. She knew she was weak. He’d told her enough times.

For someone like her, it was better to stay away.

That didn't mean she couldn't look though, did it?

With his dark hair and piercing blue eyes, Donnie was gorgeous. He was almost too pretty to be a biker. She'd even heard some of the other guys give him shit about it. She'd nearly laughed out loud at the sour look on his handsome face.

Yeah, Donnie could have easily modeled with his looks. Never mind being tall and incredibly well built. The man was pure muscle. Not that he would ever notice someone like her.

The old her, yes. But the new, mousy, afraid little ghost? Doubtful.

She'd have to resign herself to her extremely active fantasy life and leave it at that. After the other night she had something new to add to the pot; the ways his arms had felt around her. And the way he smelled. And the moment when he looked at her the way a man looks at a woman he wants to kiss.

She'd seen that look before, even if it had been a while. She sighed wistfully. It was so delicious to have a man look at you that way. Especially when you felt the same way about kissing him.

Of course, it always started out like that. Her ex had looked at her the same way. Before the looks turned to disgust. Before he started using his fists.

She shook off the thought and reached for one of her old sparkly pink lip glosses without thinking. She immediately snatched her hand back as if the pink tube were a poisonous snake.

No. That would attract attention. She could peak her head out of her shell, but only a little.

Baby steps, Sally.

She would wear her hair down and leave the cardigan at home but she would not wear makeup. She didn't want anyone to actually look at her.

She reached for her good old cherry Chapstick and slipped it into her jeans pocket. The designer jeans were from her old life. They were sexy and hugged her rear tightly but that couldn't be helped. She couldn't afford a whole new wardrobe on a waitress’s salary.

At least these didn't have rhinestones on them like most of her other ones did.