Wes cupped her cheek. “It smells incredible. I’m going to want to give you things, Hailey. I wouldn’t do anything I didn’t want to. Please just enjoy it.”
She smiled at him—a full Hailey smile—and there was no better gift she could give. Unwrapping the box, she hesitated again when she came to the blue box, running her fingers over the engraved lettering. Her breath hitched, her gaze darting up to his. She looked almost … wary. He frowned as she opened the box with what seemed like trepidation.
Inside the Tiffany box, the diamond bracelet was nestled in a soft silk cloth. She sucked in another sharp breath, her fingers touching it so delicately it was like she thought it would break.
When she looked up, her expression took him by surprise. “What is this?”
He smiled. “It’s a bracelet. Let me help you.” He reached for it but she shook her head, set the box down. “What’s wrong?”
“Wes. It’s been two weeks. You got me a diamond bracelet from Tiffany’s. I made you dinner and yeah, I bought you something, but it only fits me so really, we both benefit.”
Now he was curious but he’d have to wait. He did his best to keep his gaze focused on her face. “It’s just a bracelet. I wanted to buy you something pretty. Something that shines the way you do.”
“Flowers are pretty.”
Dammit. He knew he should have grabbed some. “I’m sorry about not bringing flowers.”
She shook her head again, this time getting to her feet. “No. Not flowers in addition. Flowers would have been fine. Nothing would have been fine.” She was pacing, putting wrinkles in the picnic blanket.
He stood up, stopped her with hands on her shoulders. “Talk to me. What’s wrong? If you don’t like it, it won’t hurt my feelings. We can take it back, exchange it. I have an account with the company. It’s Ari’s favorite store.”
Her shoulders sagged; he felt it under his hands. “I don’t need diamond jewelry. Where would I even wear it? Grocery shopping with you on a Saturday night? Jesus, Wes. That probably costs the same as my rent on the shop for a couple months.” She waved toward the kitchen. “I made you minestrone! I bought lingerie. That’s it.”
The word “lingerie” stuck in his head and clearly distracted him because when he moved his gaze back up, she was glaring at him, folding her arms across her chest.
“Sorry,” he said. “You can’t say ‘lingerie’ and not expect some distraction.”
One side of her mouth tipped up. “You won’t be seeing it until you tell me that you get it.” She stepped forward, putting her hands on his chest. “I care about you. Not your money. In fact, the money thing is a deterrent, if you want the truth.”
“How can money be a deterrent?” He hated that he was messing this up with her.
She ran her hands over his chest. He stopped her hands because he couldn’t focus while she did that.
“Did you buy me that bracelet because it made you think of me? Because it suited me? Did it call out my name?”
It was hard not to look away. “Not exactly. My sister sent me a picture of one she’d bought. She really loved it, it was pretty, and I thought of you.”
“I don’t want to feel like I can’t keep up with you but we both know there’s a discrepancy in our finances.”
He pulled her over to the couch, down onto his lap. “That doesn’t matter to me. I don’t need anything. I wanted to buy something to make you happy. Because you deserve it.”
Her fingers played with his hair. “That part is sweet. I’m not trying to be ungracious. I love that you wanted to give me something to make me happy but you know I’m uncomfortable with expensive gifts. Our relationship has changed but that hasn’t. I truly only need and want you, Wes.” She leaned closer, brushed her nose against his. “You are so much more than enough.”
Wes couldn’t help but smile at the way she threw his words back at him. “So I can’t buy you something when I want to? That hardly seems right.”
“You can buy me something if you want to but not because you think it checks off a box in the ‘good boyfriend’ column. I would have been happy with just the brownies. Gifts should show your connection with the person. They should suit them, show you know them, you get them. I won’t ever be able to give you diamonds but I’m pretty sure I know how to make you happy.”
He pressed his forehead to hers. “You do. I want the same. I want to make you happy.”
“You do. I’ve been happier these last couple weeks than I can ever remember being. That comes from your texts, your voice, you showing up at my house with brownies. Making me pancakes last Sunday even though we were going for brunch. I can’t accept the bracelet, Wes. I’m sorry. It’s too much and if you ever give me a piece of jewelry, I’d like it to reflect me.”
He understood that. She might feel as precious as diamonds to him but if he had to choose something right now based on what she said, he’d choose something with a rainbow of colors. Something that made him smile even when the sun was hiding.
“Can I have a do-over?”
She groaned. “So you can buy me something else?”
He shook his head. He wasn’t an idiot. He caught on quick. “I was thinking of making you something.”
Her smile was brighter than the bracelet. “Now you’re getting it.”
She kissed him, her hands running through his hair, and he shifted, intending to lay her down on the couch, but she got up off his lap.
“Where are you going?”
She gave him a sly, sexy grin, her fingers going to the top button of her shirt. “Gifts should be bought with that person in mind.” The button released, her fingers going to the second one. Wes shifted on the couch as she continued unbuttoning one by one. When she pulled the two sides apart, let the fabric trail off her shoulders, drop to the ground, he forgot how to breathe. Which was fine. He didn’t need air when Hailey stood before him in pink lace.
“I’m starting to see what you mean.” He barely recognized his voice.
Her fingers went to the button on her pants. “This was actually on sale. Does that take away from your appreciation?”
He shook his head emphatically but words were beyond him.
“It’s not about the money or the name brand. It’s the thought.”
He nodded as the pants slipped over her hips. Swallowing thickly, he moved to the edge of the couch.
“The thought. Got it.” He found his voice.
She laughed, stepping out of the pants and toward him. “You’re a quick learner.”
He grabbed her hand as he stood, pulling her against him. “Right now, I want to learn how to keep that smile on your face.”
“That’s easy. Kiss me.”
That, he could do.
35
Fiona turned the computer so Hailey could see. It was absolutely impossible not to give a little squeal. She squeezed her friend’s shoulders, leaned over.
“This is adorable. I love it.”
Fiona grinned up at her, pointing to the screen where she’d created a flow chart graphic that helped the reader choose a salad. It was fun and unique.
Hailey took the chair beside her friend, eager to try it out. The shop had been closed for an hour when Fiona texted, asking to drop by. Hailey had been making a schedule—because she had employees—and cleaning up.
“Let’s try it,” Fiona said. She pointed at the first question. “Do you like a little spice?”
There was a yes or no option, each with arrows pointing to different choices. “Yes.” Her gaze followed the arrows. She laughed, reading the choices aloud. “Jalape?o hot or black pepper hot? Black pepper but only because that’s a big gap in preferences.”
Fiona laughed, scrolled down a touch. “Wimp. Okay. Meat, yes or no?”
Hailey shrugged. “No.”
Another arrow pointed down and Fiona scrolled to the bottom of the graphic, revealing a cute graphic of a salad cup.
“House special,” Hailey said, clapping her hands together. Below it were the ingredients in very small font: mix of lettuces, red peppers, cucumbers, shaved almonds, shredded cheese, and homemade croutons with oil and pepper dressing.
She reached around Fiona’s shoulders, hugging her from the side. “You are so awesome. I love this. I think I might put it on the take-out menus.”
“That would be perfect. I’ll share the graphic on social media and you can put it on your website.”
Fiona often dropped by the shop since she could write anywhere. It was nice having her there. She closed her laptop, picking up one of the coffees she’d brought from Tara’s for each of them.
“Things okay with you and Wes?”
After Valentine’s Hailey had phoned both Fiona and Piper to talk about the evening and Wes’s gift. She’d been tempted to accept it, fawn over it because he was so happy to give it to her, but he’d have seen right through her fa?ade. What they shared was real, which meant she had to be honest with him.
“Yes. I think he gets it but I still feel bad.”