Right. Cassandra is thinking of a career change because hers isn’t fulfilling. See? Multitasking at its finest.
“If anything, it might provide some deeper insight,” Wes said, feeling good about maintaining the conversation even when Hailey spotted him, waved enthusiastically, then covered her mouth with her hand, removed it, mouthed “sorry.” He cracked a smile but the date could easily assume this was for her.
But when Hailey gestured to his date and stuck two thumbs up with a wide smile, he nearly laughed. She was … unique.
“Have you ever done one of those tests?” Cassandra asked, picking up her half-skim, half-whole, five pumps of vanilla, no whip, one shot decaf, one shot regular coffee. Was it even coffee at that point?
“No,” he said, doing his best not to watch Hailey chat amiably with the barista. He’d noticed when he was in her shop for several hours the other day that she had an easy way with people.
Cassandra leaned forward. “Wesley?”
His gaze snapped to hers. “Yes?”
“Let’s be honest. Neither of us are connecting here and as much as we look great on paper, it’s got to be more than that.”
While he agreed with the first half of what she said, he disagreed with the second part. Not in this instance, but in general.
“I’m sorry,” he said, meaning it. “I appreciate you meeting me though.”
“Same. Welcome to San Verde. I hope you find what you’re looking for.” She got up, took her coffee, and sashayed away as Hailey picked up her drink and what he suspected was chocolate cake from the end of the counter.
Hailey watched Cassandra go then slowly approached his table. “I thought you were done with this?” She sat down.
He shrugged. “I’d forgotten I already agreed before I decided that. It came up on my calendar. She showed up so that’s a win.”
Hailey’s gaze wandered to the exit then back to him. “Well? Was she the one to change your mind? Keep you on the app path to finding love?”
Wes laughed, hiding his wince. He wasn’t looking for love. “No. She confirmed the hiatus.”
She pointed at him. “Nice. Industry lingo.”
He nodded, remembering his surprise when she’d shared her employment history. With her elegant jawline, full hair, and wide eyes, she could play the Hollywood girl next door. Instead, she’d served lunch. She might look like a leading lady but was completely down-to-earth.
Hailey opened her take-out container. Chocolate cake. “My website is fantastic. Thank you again.”
She was so appreciative of even the littlest thing. “No problem. Really. I could do websites with my eyes closed.”
“Sometimes I feel like I could make salads that way,” she said, making a face that embodied pleasure to the point his own cheeks heated.
“Good?” The word came out like sandpaper.
She nodded, gaze at half-mast, and gave a happy sigh. She was unlike anyone he’d ever met. When she’d suggested friendship the other day, the idea caught him off guard. But sitting across from her, knowing she was the kind of woman who could wreck him with anything more, which would end with him wrecking her beyond repair, it felt like a good option. Definitely preferable to walking away. He liked her.
“I’m coming to collect one of my salads tomorrow. My brothers and I are looking at the office space above your shop.”
She swallowed, took a sip of her drink. “I’m jealous. Not of the office space but anything above the shops. I’ve heard the apartments are adorable.”
“That wouldn’t have been my adjective of choice but they’re very nice places,” he said. “I live down the street in one.”
“Now I’m jealous again. One day.”
He smiled at the way she could put so much stock in two words. Had he ever done that? Maybe when he was too young to understand what a heavy hand his father would have in his desire to design video games. How he’d see it as a frivolous hobby and give Wes more responsibility. One of his father’s favorite sayings was “Life is built on getting things done, not dreaming about them.”
“I’m sorry your date didn’t go well. Maybe you need to try a new approach.”
Wes finished his coffee. He had a meeting soon. “I am. The no-more-apps-for-a-while approach.”
She put her fork down. “I like to see people happy. You should know that. Since we’re friends and all.”
He meant it when he said, “I’m happy. I’d be happier if you shared that cake.”
She grabbed a fork from the cup of them set on the table, passed it to him, and moved her container closer. He took a bite, thinking he needed to hit the gym.
“Delicious.”
She nodded. “It’s my new favorite. When I can only fit into yoga pants, I’ll blame you and Tara.”
He shrugged. She didn’t look like she needed to worry about such things but he had a sister and knew sometimes women worried about things they didn’t need to. They didn’t see themselves the way others did. “It’s California. That’s what everyone wears anyway, isn’t it?”
She leaned to the side and checked out his pants, making him laugh. “Oh! We should check out yoga.”
He swallowed wrong, coughed. “We? No, thank you.”
“It’s good for stress.”
“I’m not stressed.”
“So you’re naturally uptight?”
Why did people think he was uptight? His brothers teased him about the same thing. He’d had responsibility thrust into his lap at a young age. He was taught to deal with what came his way. That wasn’t uptight. It was being an adult. “I’m not uptight. Plus, I’ve done yoga. I don’t like it.”
“We could go to a yoga class and then watch When Harry Met Sally.”
Wes couldn’t help his smile. “If this is going to work, you have to try to remember I’m a guy. One who doesn’t want to do yoga and watch rom-coms.”
She closed her container. “Sorry. We can guzzle beer and smoke cigars.” She’d deepened her voice comically.
Wes stood. “How about something in between those?”
“I’ll think on it.”
“I have a meeting. It was nice to see you.” He meant it. She made him smile even when she said ridiculous things. He’d come to California with a built-in circle. It hadn’t occurred to him, other than dating, what someone outside his circle—a friend—could bring to his life. He waved and pulled out his phone as he left the shop.
As he strolled along the sidewalk, he pulled up the text thread with his brothers. He rolled his eyes, seeing one of them—most likely Noah—had, once again, renamed the thread. Wes had labeled it “Brothers” when they’d started it eons ago. It went back so long, he couldn’t even remember when they started it. In that time, Chris and Noah took turns calling it something else. Today’s was “Two Men & a Wesley.”
Wes
Hey asshats. Don’t forget we’re meeting at Hailey’s tomorrow.
Chris
Why would we forget?
Noah
Because we have a life and he doesn’t.
Wes chuckled.
Wes
What have you done with your life today? Let Gracie make you something to eat, show you some designs, and nod along so you don’t piss her off?
Wes adored both women and was thrilled his brothers had found happiness in all areas of their lives. There was a small piece of him, burrowed deep, that could acknowledge his envy. Some people might think that with them as examples, he’d believe more wholeheartedly in the love thing. But he knew better. From their mom leaving and the women his father fell for taking up residence in their home. From their sister acting out and their dad becoming more remote with every passing day. From his father never recovering when the one woman he’d loved had finally had enough.
He’d protected his younger siblings as well as he could. It hadn’t helped any in terms of saving their relationships with their father but that was his old man’s doing. Wes had given them the supportive words and shoulder they needed growing up because he knew their father wouldn’t. Eventually, both his brothers had left him anyway. Sure, they’d left because of work, not Wes, but it didn’t make him feel any less … alone. They were thrilled when he decided to move across the country and join them. But they wouldn’t have returned to New York for him. Wouldn’t have stayed for him. It sometimes made him question anyone’s staying power.
Noah
Grace wants you guys to come for a BBQ next weekend.
Chris
I’ll check with Everly but I’m sure we’re in.
Noah
Invite Stacey and Rob
Wes thought of Hailey and how she was working to build a life here, how Everly and Grace had accepted her with ease.
Wes
Should I invite Hailey?
Chris
Absolutely! Way to go, bro. She’s awesome.
Wes
As a friend. That’s all we are. You know what friend means right?
Noah
Sadly, for you, it probably means exactly what the dictionary says
Wes
Don’t be an ass
Chris
You’re asking the impossible. For sure, invite her.
Wes
I will.
Chris
Cool.
Noah
Tell me you don’t think she’s hot.
Wes