The lack of pressure to be anything other than herself was exhilarating. Maybe a little enlightening as well. She’d considered herself organized but found there were some definite kinks in her scheduling capabilities. She wanted to do it all so she sometimes overbooked. She’d started making lists, like Wes, because she learned she was a horrible shopper. She wasted time and money not having a plan. One step at a time. Small steps toward the big picture she wanted.
Fiona’s name buzzed on her phone as Hailey stood in her bra and undies. She swiped her finger over the screen, stepping away so the only view Fiona got was the ceiling.
“Um … nice fan?” Fiona’s voice came through.
Hailey laughed, pulled the black dress off the hanger. “I’m not decent. Give me a sec and you can tell me if this dress works for a business dinner.”
“I thought this dinner was supposed to be a couple weeks ago,” Fiona said.
Hailey worked hard not to make any unpleasant sounds as she worked the dress up over her hips, got her boobs situated, and did a couple gymnast moves with her arms to get the zipper up.
“It kept getting moved. Seriously, getting this dress on should count as cardio. It’s comfortable but not one of those ones you could slip into easily.”
“It’s about time for you to start slipping out of your clothes. I think you should start dating again,” Fiona said.
Hailey grabbed her phone, looked at the screen. Fiona had the camera up close to her forehead. “What are you doing?”
“I think I’m going gray. My grandmother went gray at twenty-one.” Fiona moved the phone back. “Your makeup looks hot. Let’s see the dress.”
Hailey pressed the button on her phone to turn the camera and stood in front of her full-length mirror.
Fiona whistled. “You look so pretty. I don’t think I’ve seen you in a dress.”
The quiz-writing journalist had become as much a part of her routine as Wes. They went for brunch most Sunday mornings at a little bistro a couple miles from the square. Every now and again, Wes joined them. Piper frequently joined. Megan and Rachel had shown up once. It was nice to feel like she was really making a life for herself.
“Thank you. I wouldn’t exactly wear this to work.”
“No. But you could wear it on a date. Or say, a bunch of them?”
Hailey turned the camera. “Spill it. What are you getting at?” The night the girls had warned Hailey that Fiona sometimes had some strange requests came back to her. “Should I be scared?”
“No. Absolutely not. Remember the article I wanted to do on finding love in five minutes?”
“Yeah.”
“My editor thinks the article would be stronger if I was speaking from experience rather than research. She found an event at a restaurant close by.”
Hailey groaned, closed her eyes, then opened them again. “I was just thinking how great it is not to have the pressure of dating. How wonderful it is to have made a small group of friends I could count on and hang out with. It’s a shame I have to eliminate you from the list.”
Fiona’s laughter suggested she knew Hailey well enough to know she was joking. Mostly.
“You don’t have to go out with anyone. I swear. I’m not going to. I don’t want to go alone. Please.”
“Fine. When?”
She hid her sigh because as much as she didn’t want to go, she didn’t want to make her friend feel bad either.
“Next Saturday.”
That’s grocery night. Ugh. Not good, Hails. Routine is fine but don’t get in a rut. “Sure. That sounds good.” Wes would absolutely understand. He might even be happy since she often distracted him from his own list or added fun things to it. Just because she was showing growth personally didn’t mean she couldn’t have some fun with him.
“You’re the best. Text me when you get home, okay?”
“Yeah. Shouldn’t be late.”
Hanging up, she went in search of a pair of low heels that wouldn’t kill her feet. Dressing up wasn’t something she did often. It was nice sometimes. She liked doing her hair. She’d pulled it into a low bun at the base of her neck and left tendrils framing her face.
It was her first San Verde fancy dinner experience and she didn’t even have to pay. Maybe I should wear a dress that lets me eat more. She rubbed her hand over her stomach. The dress actually felt really good despite the awkwardness of getting it on.
When her phone buzzed again, she knew it was Wes.
She smiled when she saw his name.
Wes
I’ll be leaving to pick you up in twenty minutes. Are you ready?
Hailey
Yes.
Wes
Hailey ready or Wes ready?
She stuck her tongue out at the screen. One time he’d showed up and she was still in pajamas. Brushing her teeth. But he was ten minutes early!
Hailey
Not telling. I like to keep you on the edge of your seat
Wes
If you’re Wes ready, I’ll spring for extra dessert AND you can choose the movie.
He’d enjoyed When Harry Met Sally. She had not enjoyed Inception. Now, after grabbing groceries on Saturdays, they compromised on a movie at his house. Usually a drama since she didn’t want to overwhelm him with her love of rom-coms. She was, however, getting pretty damn good at those video games he loved.
Hailey
Go ahead and show up ten minutes early
Wes
You’ll do anything for chocolate
* * *
Le Tiens was fancier than she expected. Worth wrangling herself into the dress. More unexpected was the equally elegant and gorgeous Ana Pergo. Hailey hadn’t asked about who the meeting was with. It didn’t matter to her; she was just there to support Wes. The flash of disappointment she was sure she caught in Ana’s gaze suggested that Wes was smart in bringing her if he wanted to keep things all business.
She told herself it wasn’t a whisper of jealousy when Ana looked at Wes like she wished it were just the two of them. Just friendly … protectiveness.
Ana’s brother, Aidan, was tall, broad shouldered, and had a smile that reminded Hailey of the ones she used to see on sets. During breaks, she’d wander around and watch the filming. It always amazed her how fast a person could transform their features into different emotions. She didn’t trust it.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Hailey,” Aidan said, holding her hand a touch longer than she was comfortable with.
“I’m so sorry we had to reschedule,” Ana said to Wes.
Wes moved to Hailey’s side, put a hand on her lower back. It was one of those moments where she hadn’t realized she was missing something. She didn’t miss being a couple—not really. She sure as hell didn’t miss Dorian. But she missed those little things: a hand on her back or slipping hers into someone’s back pocket.
“No worries. I’m glad we found a time that works. I’m eager to sign the contract.”
Ana patted her satchel. “I have it right here.”
“Your table is ready, Ms. Pergo,” the host said.
They followed the man to a table in the corner with pretty candle centerpieces. Silver cloth napkins sat atop crisp white tablecloths. The arched ceiling was made even prettier by dark wood beams and long candelabras adding a warm glow.
Once they were settled and the wine ordered, the small talk started. This was the first time Hailey had been with Wes in this sort of setting. While he was attentive to the conversation, he didn’t contribute much more than direct answers. When Aidan told a funny story about one of their clients, he laughed politely, but it was as clear as the real crystal glasses on the table that he was rusty at the socializing game. Or it shows just how much he’s dropped his guard with you.
“Tell me about your restaurant, Hailey,” Aidan said.
The waiter brought bread. Hailey picked up a piece and buttered it generously, passed it to Wes, who took it with a quiet nod of thanks, then buttered her own.
“I don’t think it’s in the restaurant category. Maybe an eatery? It’s small and all about salads. Every kind you can imagine in a take-out cup. Not that you can’t eat in but I definitely get more take-and-go customers.”
“Her salads are creative and delicious,” Wes said.
Hailey eyed him, curious that when the topic shifted to something business related, he participated more actively. Was he uncomfortable? Nervous?
“Do you have a card?” Ana met her gaze. There was something in it that pulled Hailey’s nerves tight. Probably her own insecurities. She’d left the world of glitz, glamour, and power gazes behind with Dorian.
“I do!” She didn’t mean to say it so loud and hunched her shoulders, laughing. “Sorry. So many people asked me that in the first month when I didn’t have any.” She passed one over.
“We do company and client lunches all the time. This is wonderful. I’ll definitely be calling you,” Ana said.
Hailey was excited by the thought of new customers. She hadn’t come to help her own business. She didn’t want to step on Wes’s toes and suggest her website so she picked up her water, took a sip.
“I’d really like to get the contracts signed and out of the way so we can enjoy dinner,” Wes said.
Ana shot him a dazzling smile. “You’re all work, Wes. You need to add a little play into your life.”