Wes seemed oblivious to the fact that Ana was interested in more than his cyberskills. Should she, as his friend, clue him in? When they pulled out the paperwork, Hailey excused herself to use the restroom.
After touching up her lipstick—it had been so long since she’d remembered she loved wearing it—she checked her phone.
Tara
Hey. Wanted to let you know the meeting was moved to tomorrow at 4. The landlord is attending.
Hailey
Thank you. Hope you’re having a fun Saturday night.
Tara
Don’t want to make you jealous but I’m doing inventory.
Hailey laughed.
Hailey
Totally jealous. Fiona is dragging me to a speed dating thing next week. You should come.
Tara
Intriguing. I’ll think about it.
The two business district meetings Hailey had attended so far were mostly housekeeping. Parking issues, a San Verde Square monthly newsletter was brought up, and a review of upcoming events. It was nice to meet some of her fellow shop owners but she and Tara were two of the only ones close to their thirties. Hailey was surprised by how many of the shops had been around for years. Management passed down through families.
When she returned to the table, she was happy to see the paperwork was done. Wes and Aidan both stood when she approached the table and it gave her stomach one of those whoosh feelings she hadn’t experienced in a while. It felt nice to be noticed. Maybe she should put some effort into the speed dating thing.
“All good?” Wes asked.
She nodded. “Tara texted that my shop owners’ meeting got moved to four tomorrow. The landlord is attending.” She shrugged, not knowing if that was normal.
“Interesting. Noah has been trying to get ahold of him for a while.”
“Your brother looking for more real estate?” Aidan asked.
“Always. Right now he’s shopping for my other brother but he’s never really not looking at commercial properties.”
“You have your hands in many pies,” Ana said.
Wes smiled. It was his polite one, not the one that made his blue eyes dance with laughter. “We like to be busy.”
Their dinners arrived shortly after and they were able to shift the conversation to casual topics. Aidan and Hailey got wrapped up in some Hollywood gossip. She couldn’t help it. She’d left that life behind but she still loved knowing who was dating who, not that Aidan could say much since his business was protecting his clients.
When the meal came to an end, Ana lifted her wineglass. “A toast. To friendship, to business, and to long, profitable relationships.”
It seemed like an odd toast to Hailey but she was on her third glass of wine so she clinked happily, warmth spreading through her belly.
As they waited for the valet to bring Wes’s car, she leaned her head against his shoulder.
“Have fun?” His voice was low.
She closed her eyes, soaking in his solid presence, the breeze that danced over her skin.
“So much fun,” she whispered.
“I think Aidan likes you,” Wes said.
Hailey tipped her head back. In her heels, she was close enough to see his gaze darken. “Funny. I think Ana likes you. Maybe we can double date them.” A giggle escaped at the idea of them showing up at the same restaurant but with opposite dates.
“You’re drunk.”
“Tipsy. There’s a difference.”
“Still want a movie and dessert?”
She straightened, looked around like he was hiding it. “Do you have the dessert?”
His chuckle was low and familiar. It warmed her stomach like the wine. “Right here.” He lifted the brown paper take-out bag.
“Phew.”
“You make me laugh.”
She smiled at him under the darkening night, the stars dancing over them. “That’s what friends are for.”
15
Wes was so relieved to have the contract signed, he’d texted his brothers while waiting for the valet to fetch his car. Hailey had leaned against him the entire time, making it hard not to notice the scent of her perfume, her contented sighs, and the way she smiled with her eyes closed.
She was still doing it as Wes set a glass of water in front of her where she lay, cheeks flush, on his couch. He didn’t like the way Ana and Aidan had pushed the final meeting more than once. You have it now. That’s all that matters. The contract. Not the way Aidan looked at and flirted with Hailey. He did his best to push that from his brain, unsure why it bothered him when he was so happy with their friend status.
“You okay, there?”
She opened her eyes, smiled up at him. “You’re upside down.”
Or he was standing at the end of the couch. “I promise I’m not.”
“Don’t worry, you look good either way. Right-side down or upside … wait.”
Wes laughed, moved down to her feet, picking them up so he could sit. He’d never felt quite this much ease with someone. Even with girlfriends, he’d never been a naturally affectionate man. But Hailey didn’t have the same boundaries he did. It had taken him a few hangouts to get used to the way she hugged or gave casual touches so easily.
It was the way Hailey worked. She burrowed. Dug a hole into someone’s heart and stayed there. There were moments he felt the absolute opposite of ease—more like a spark snapping tension. But then one of her twenty-two alarms—alarms she’d set in an effort to be more organized after teasing him about his multiple scheduling apps—would ring, reminding her of the thing she’d definitely forgotten even though she swore she wouldn’t, and he’d remember how different they were. How nice it was to have this to count on. He could tell her things he didn’t tell his brothers and he sure as hell wouldn’t tell a woman he was dating.
“I’m glad you came tonight. This is a big contract for our company. I didn’t want to let Chris and Noah down.” He kept one hand on her ankle absentmindedly.
Hailey sat up, reached for the chocolate cake instead of the water or the Tylenol he’d set beside it.
“As if you could.” She pulled herself into a seated position next to him, close enough their thighs touched.
“The only thing about dining with fancy people is you never want to eat more than they do. Though, I was impressed that Ana ate. I can’t tell you how many dinner parties I’ve been to where I was the only woman taking advantage of the delicious food.”
He’d been to his share of those parties, too. Hated them. “It’s a waste. Do you ever miss catering on set?”
She pulled the fork out of her mouth slowly, her eyes closed. She hummed with pleasure. Snap. Like a lightning-quick shock to his system that reminded him she was a desirable woman. One who was talking to him because he’d asked a question and zoned out for the answer.
“I’m happy where I am. It doesn’t have the same job security but it’s working out great. Speaking of. I think I’m ready to talk to your friend, Leo. You mentioned he was looking for work a while ago but I’ve only just gotten to a point I think I can take him on. Especially with my new plan.”
Wes sat up. He was too full from dinner to eat his cake. “That’s great. What’s the new plan?”
She’d changed into a pair of loose sweatpants and a baggy sweater when they returned to his place. He’d suggested she bring them when he picked her up. That had been another one of those spark moments. She looked exquisite in that dress, but he liked it better when she wore what she did now. It put him at ease. Made it easier to think.
“I’ve been turning down some catering jobs because I’m always at the shop but with the Christmas season coming, it would be a great way to get some extra cash. I’m in a catch twenty-two. I can’t say yes to more work without help and I can’t hire help without securing more work. I’m going to interview Leo and say yes to some bigger jobs.”
His heart muscles tightened, squeezing him like one of Hailey’s all-in hugs. She was doing it. One salad at a time, she was building her business into what she’d imagined. “That’s fantastic. I can update your website so the delivery option is live. Have you considered a preorder app? Most restaurants have that now, especially with outside delivery services. It’s not a bad idea to hook up with one of those either. It would save you—”
Hailey held up a hand, set her half-finished cake down, the fork beside it. She took the pills with a long swallow of water. “Slow down. Geez. Were you just waiting to get all that out of your brain?”
He laughed, ran a hand through his hair. “Not really but they’re all excellent ideas. Business is about seizing opportunities and acting at the right moment.”
Her brows furrowed. “It’s also about not overextending myself so I don’t go under.”
“There are loans you can get. Actually, there are probably grants you’re eligible for, especially if you’re hiring local youth.” Hell, he could float her a loan.
She huffed out a breath. “I don’t want a loan.”
Excitement welled. She could push this to the next level easily. With a little help. “My brothers and I invest in businesses—”
“Wes. Stop.” Hailey shook her head and he realized her tone was clipped.