Noah lifted both arms, looked up at the bright-blue California sky. “What the hell else are we doing?” He lowered his chin, pinned Wes with a curious gaze.
“I’m not really designing anything at the moment.” Though he’d had several story ideas and played around with some gaming development programs. Which was just to keep his brain busy. It was a hobby at best. Except for Hailey’s Christmas present. That was more than a hobby to him. It was almost finished.
“We’re just saying that we all get to do what we love. What we want. Chris and I feel pretty settled but we’re not sure you do. Don’t feel like you have to keep expanding our assets, adding on companies. That’s not what we’re about anymore.”
That was part of the problem. They both knew what they were about personally and professionally. Wes had always been secure in his professional path but right now, everything felt up in the air. He didn’t know where anything would land. Worse, he didn’t even know where he wanted anything to land.
“Thanks for the permission to live my life.” He was being an ass but he felt like his skin was too tight. Why did the idea of being able to do what he enjoyed full-time feel like he’d be letting them down?
“Whatever, man. Do what you want,” Noah said, waving a hand dismissively at him.
Wes sighed. “I’m sorry. I don’t know what I want to do. Sometimes it feels weird for both of you to be so settled. I felt like I was in New York but here, I haven’t found my footing yet.”
“Well, we have an appointment to walk through the San Verde Square property. Once we have an actual office space we can all agree on, we’ll sit down, hammer things out, and decide where we all want to go.”
Chris clapped him on the shoulder. “It’s okay to be happy, man. We earned it. Figure out what’s going to do that for you and grab on.” That advice could have applied to his personal or professional life, but he was confused. The things bringing him true happiness could easily slip away. Then what?
With a smile, he said goodbye to his brothers. He really did need to figure out what his piece in their puzzle was. Noah had shifted from corporate, large-scale real estate purchases and development to a much smaller scale. He and Grace had bought a bungalow near Laguna Beach with the intention of remodeling it together. He was more than content. He was happy. So was Chris. He was technically an advisor for their holdings. He took care of the companies directly connected to the radio station but he didn’t seem concerned about branching out beyond that.
What did Wes want? Where did he fit? It was the first time in his life that he didn’t know.
24
Piper and Fiona did an excellent job convincing Hailey that she should buy a new dress for her not-a-date that she’d told Wes was a date. She still didn’t know why she’d said it but the fact that he’d been okay with it was reason enough. Her brain was more settled today. Clearly defined boxes had been reconstructed. Wes, friend. Seth, date.
The mall was more crowded that Wednesday night than it had been the Sunday before. Or maybe she was just more tired because her store had been busy today. For-real busy. The kind she’d hoped for in those early days. If she could get through the next six months successfully, she really had a chance of things working out long-term.
Though she’d seen a gorgeous dress at the Kate Spade store when they were in there, Hailey had a budget. With Christmas coming, she wanted to be extra careful about sticking to it. Even with the catering jobs, which weren’t her favorite, she was hovering on the “just making it” line. When she’d first gotten a job on set, she’d taken on the catering gigs because they seemed fun. Fancy parties with stars everywhere? Yes, please. But it was a lot of work, before, during, and after. Not everyone was nice to behind-the-scenes workers and there wasn’t as much glamour as she’d hoped. The money was good, but once she and Dorian got together, he found her side jobs embarrassing. What if you cater a party I’m at as a guest? That would make me look ridiculous.
Focus on the good. Like what’s in your hand. In a cute little shop that Tara had told her about, she held an adorable dress in her price range. It was pale blue with a fitted bodice and A-line skirt. She held it close as she followed the store clerk toward the dressing room. From the corner of her eye, she saw a black-and-white dress that took her breath away. It was stunning. A retro, Audrey Hepburn–esque style. The sleeves would rest just off her shoulders; the waist was narrow but the skirt flowed out. She’d bet anything it would make a swishing sound if she twirled in it.
“Gorgeous, isn’t it?” the young lady asked, following Hailey’s gaze.
It was so charmingly graceful. “It really is.” She didn’t want to ask.
“Would you like to try it on?”
She pulled in a breath between her teeth. She’d want it. Bad. She could tell just from looking at it.
“It doesn’t cost anything to try it,” the clerk added.
What if it was the same price? “Sure.”
The woman grabbed one in Hailey’s size and even though she caught sight of the price tag—so not in her budget—she decided to try it anyway. What harm could it do?
It fit like she’d had it specially made just for her body. She forced herself to take it off, try on the other one, which was just as pretty. Almost. Sort of. She texted a picture to Fiona and Piper. Why weren’t they answering? Telling herself she shouldn’t have come alone, she put the other dress back on and took a picture in that one, too. She waited, hoping one of them would respond. When her phone rang, she was still in the black-and-white dress.
It was Wes. She swiped her thumb across the screen.
“Hey.”
“Hey back. What are you doing?” He sounded like he was typing while he talked.
“I’m trying to decide between two dresses. I texted Piper and Fiona to get their opinions even though I know which one I should get. Neither of them are replying.”
“What are your options? Send me a picture.”
“Uh, no.”
He laughed. “Why?”
“Because you’re not Piper or Fiona.”
“Why are you buying a dress anyway? Is it made out of yoga pant material?”
She laughed. God, he knew her well. “Jerk. Can you imagine how cozy that dress would be?”
“Come on. Send me a picture.” His cajoling tone made her stomach muscles tighten. He didn’t use it often.
“This isn’t why you called.” Though a guy’s perspective was one of the perks of Wes.
“No. I called to ask you a big favor. One I should have asked sooner.”
“Shoot.”
“Nope.”
“What?” She moved side to side, watching the dress dance in the mirror. Every woman should have a dress that made her feel this way.
“If you can’t ask me my opinion on a dress, I shouldn’t ask you for a favor.”
“Oh my God. You’re annoying. Hang on.”
She sent him both pictures then put the phone back to her ear. “I’m getting the blue. It’s a better price and more practical.”
“Hasn’t come through yet. I need a dozen salads tomorrow for a meeting at the community center. I can pick them up but is this enough notice?”
“Of course. That’s not much of a favor.”
She heard a sharp intake of breath. “Jesus. Neither is looking at you in a dress. You look fantastic in both.”
Her heart felt like it was vibrating. When Wes liked something, really liked something, he couldn’t hide it. Not well. His eyes and tone gave him away. And his tone made her heart do jumping jacks. Too much caffeine, that’s all. “See? Guy response.”
“You should get the black one.”
She grinned. “Rich guy response. I’m getting the blue. It’s half the price.”
“You can’t go wrong either way. What is this for, anyway?”
She didn’t want to say “date” again. She knew what they were. Hailey felt more certain with Wes than anyone else in her life at the moment. She didn’t want to play games just to see his response to the word “date.” That was a dangerous game. “My dinner on Friday with Piper, Nick, and their friend.”
“Right.” He cleared his throat. There was a beat of silence where she couldn’t even hear his breathing.
“Wes?”
“I’ll pick up the salads at noon tomorrow?”
“Okay.”
He hung up and Hailey felt oddly disappointed. She put the black one back, telling herself it was silly to buy something that expensive that she wouldn’t wear more than a handful of times. The blue was practical and perfectly lovely.
When she got home later that night, she made a list of salads, sent them to Wes to get his approval.
Wes
Perfect. Thank you again. I owe you.
Hailey
You never owe me. I’m happy to do it and you’re paying.
Wes
Which dress did you get?
Hailey
The blue
Wes
You looked beautiful in both. Blue is a great color on you.
Hailey
Thank you
Wes
I know your schedule is tight right now but Chris is having a holiday party for the radio station staff. We were both invited.
Hailey
Yet neither of us work there
Wes