A Guide to Being Just Friends, page 15
Her amusement fled, her lips flattening even as heat lit her gaze. “I’m perfectly okay handling my own business. I’m working with the merchants just like Tara. We talked about this, Mr. Fix It.”
She stood up to move past him, brushing her legs against his knees.
Fiona sat down next to Tara. “She’s a bit touchy about her independence.”
“‘Stubborn’ is a better word,” Wes said, hurt that Hailey hadn’t told him.
Fiona sighed. “You guys should know better than anyone what it’s like to step away from all the support beams and stand on your own.”
She wasn’t wrong but that didn’t douse the fire inside of him, the need to do what he could. Maybe he understood his brothers’ earlier stance better than he thought. What would he give to protect Hailey? And she was only his friend. He looked at Tara. “What’s his name?”
“Logan Vanderben. Owns that row of shops and three high-rises downtown,” Noah said.
Wes typed in the name. He could be inside the guy’s hard drive if he wanted to be but stuck to a regular Google search. Vanderben looked like a pompous ass. He reminded Wes of a younger version of their father.
“We are planning to contest it, Wes. I think Hailey is trying not to worry.” Tara gave him a tight smile.
“Most food businesses go bust in the first year,” Wes said.
“Thank you for your optimistic outlook, Mary Poppins,” Hailey said from over his shoulder. He looked to where she was leaning on the doorjamb.
“Hailey. That’s not what I meant,” he said. He hated the look of hurt that crossed her expression.
“Yes it is. And you’re right. But that doesn’t mean mine will be one of them.”
“Of course it won’t,” he said, feeling both in the spotlight and like they were in their own bubble.
“Because I’ll work my ass off to make it thrive.” Her tone was strong but her gaze was vulnerable. Soft. Sad. He really hated that.
Closing his computer, he set it aside. “I know you will. You have an incredible work ethic. But there are things we can look into to prevent—”
She held up a hand. “If you want to do something that is in your best interests because you and your brothers were already looking into property there, do that. Do whatever it is you all do. But don’t do it for me. I do not need to be saved by anyone. I’m not in this alone.”
She took a deep breath, let it out. “Tilly said dinner is ready.” She turned on her heel and walked in. Wes waited until the others had gone inside, giving himself an extra minute.
She said she wasn’t in this alone, but in no way did she mean she’d lean on him. Why the hell did that bother him so much?
20
No one seemed to mind that she chose a walk on the beach after dinner rather than the football game. It was lovely to have a big group of people who were comfortable with each other. A family of their own choosing for some of them. She was worried about how much she enjoyed being part of it.
Hailey had craved finding her own place so badly that relationship after relationship ended with her feeling more lost. With Dorian, he’d let her into a world that fascinated her, let her believe he felt all of the things she did, that they were building a future together, and then he snatched it away. Told her it meant nothing.
Not to her. It meant a hell of a lot to her, and even though she could feel the difference between Dorian and these people, her heart was still hesitant. And healing.
When she returned to the house, most of the group was eating pie by the firepit in the yard. Wes was on the porch chatting with Morty, who was telling a tall tale of the Thanksgiving he’d caught his own turkey.
Wes’s smile settled some of the unrest inside of her, sending her thoughts in a different direction. She was definitely attached on that front. If they hadn’t agreed to friendship, she’d be worried about her heart. Without the boundaries, he was a man she could fall far and fast for. It was equal parts irritating and sweet that he wanted to fix things for her. The others, too, were ready to rally and come to her defense. She’d learned the hard way, more than once, that standing on her own was essential. So was falling on her own. She wanted to be her own landing.
“The bastard nips me right here,” Morty said, spreading his index and middle fingers apart to show a rough patch of skin. It definitely looked like a scar but whether or not it was really from a turkey, she couldn’t say.
She sat on the couch with Wes but left a bit of space between them. Every now and again, she’d sit too close or inhale too deeply. Something would shift inside of her. Like she’d moved from perfectly fine to longing without warning. It was disturbing because most of the time, she didn’t look at him like that.
Wes glanced at her, clearly biting back a smile or laughter or both. “I don’t know if I could eat a turkey, or any animal, I had to catch.”
Morty stood up, shook his head. “That’s because kids these days are too soft.” He looked at Hailey. “Not you, darlin’. You could probably wrangle a turkey with one hand and a smile.”
She wasn’t sure if that was a compliment. “I can honestly say I’ve never tried.”
When he walked past them, going into the house, both Wes and Hailey laughed.
“You okay? How was your walk?”
The ocean air wafted around them with a hint of the fire. It smelled like happiness and warmth.
“It was good. I can’t believe you guys played football after that meal.”
“It’s more fun that way,” Wes said, his smile morphing into a more serious expression. “I’m sorry about earlier.”
“I know. Me too. I shouldn’t be so defensive.”
“I shouldn’t be so pushy.” He looked like he wanted to say more.
“No, you shouldn’t,” she said, keeping her lips flat.
Wes laughed, knowing she was joking.
“I didn’t think you’d forgive me so easily. I had a whole thing planned,” Wes said.
“Oh yeah? Maybe I’m still mad.” She grinned at him.
His laugh was sort of like the breeze and the warmth. It cocooned her, made her grateful for one more thing.
“We can do it in the car.”
“Excuse me?”
He laughed. “Keep it clean, Sharp. You’ll see.”
They said their goodbyes with hugs and promises of seeing each other soon. Grace and Everly were coming into the shop next week after some shopping. They’d invited her along on a shopping trip but Hailey needed to check her calendar. Her catering events plus the increase of traffic at the store and training her two employees—that’s right, she had two staff members—were time-consuming.
In the truck, she did her best to wait him out. She leaned her head against the seat, all breezy and nonchalant. He adjusted the stereo, checked all his mirrors, double-checked the heat settings before finally backing out of the drive. Once they were on their way, he chatted about the traffic, the meal, and the games.
“You’re killing me,” she finally said, looking at his profile. The moon was shining through the window, illuminating his sharp jaw and just slightly crooked nose. He had a good face. A good heart. He called her on her stubbornness but he had a healthy amount, too.
“It’s been five minutes,” he said.
“Since we left, yeah. But like, twenty since you said anything.”
“You’re such a kid sometimes.”
“Says the person who plays video games every Saturday morning, in pajamas, after eating a massive bowl of cereal.”
“Fair point. Open my phone. Fiona texted me her quiz.”
She nearly squealed but stopped herself. “For real?” She grabbed his phone from the console between them, punching in his ridiculously long password. There was security and then there was Wes.
“I thought you were really mad at me.”
She couldn’t help her laugh. “If being mad at you would have got you to do one of her quizzes before, I would have lied.”
“No lying. It’s in the guide.”
“I don’t remember seeing that specifically.” She pulled up the text.
“Trust me, it’ll be there the next time you look.”
She laughed. “Shush. Here it is. What kind of friend are you? Looks like we’ll end up being margaritas, highballs, craft beer, or wine.”
“I’m on the edge of my seat.”
His blend of teasing and sarcasm didn’t faze her. She read each of the questions, trying to downplay how much fun she was having. Fiona was not only adorable but brilliant to come up with this. Hailey loved it! She should get her friend to do one of these things with what type of salad a person would be.
“Your friend is late. Do you order their favorite drink, text them to hurry up, or bring it up the next time you’re mad?”
Flipping the blinker switch, he sent her a quick glance. “Bring it up the next time you’re mad?”
“Careful.”
He switched lanes. “Fine. Order their drink. FYI, you’re late all the time.”
She grinned. “And not once have you had my drink waiting for me.”
“I feel so much shame.”
Giddy laughter escaped, made better when Wes joined in. “Okay. Your friend is wearing a color they shouldn’t. You tell them, suggest a top you love as an alternative, or say nothing.”
“I can’t picture saying either of the first two so I guess, say nothing.”
“I’m putting suggest a top I love.”
He sent her another glance, this time with one eyebrow perfectly arched. “I won’t wear anything you suggest.”
The traffic seemed to come to a stop. Hailey angled herself against the door and the seat so she could face Wes a bit better.
“That loosens your seat belt. You shouldn’t sit like that.”
“Noted. Okay, you see something your friend would love. Do you buy it, text them a picture of it, or do nothing.”
“Buy it.”
“That was quick.”
He shrugged. “You?”
“Text a picture. Not all of us have vaults of money.”
With the traffic at a standstill, he had time to look over. He looked a bit tired, making Hailey’s heart pinch. She knew he was stressed about his father and his brothers. “How do you know about my vault?”
With a smile, she scrolled to the next question. “It’s your friend’s birthday. They don’t want fanfare. Do you ignore them and plan a big party, celebrate quietly with the two of you, or do you drop off a gift?”
He started to answer but Hailey sat up straight. “When’s your birthday?”
His cheeks flushed. Even in the moonlit cab, she could see hints of pink on his skin. Adorable. “This feels like the speed dating thing all over again. January twenty-eighth. Yours?”
“May sixteenth. Phew. We haven’t missed each other’s.”
“We’ve missed a few.”
She laughed again. “You’re funny tonight.”
He bobbed his brows in a very uncharacteristically Wes gesture. “Just tonight?”
Hailey couldn’t help look at him an extra moment before she responded. He’d deny it but she could tell by the way his dimple flashed, the creases in the corners of his eyes, that he was having fun. She loved seeing him happy. “More so than usual. Okay. Answer the question.”
“I’d respect their wishes but hope to at least celebrate with the two of us.”
“Okay. I just have to tally.” The traffic started moving again.
“Which would you choose?”
“Same as you.”
“Which would you want?”
She looked up from her phone. “I don’t know. I’ve never had the whole fanfare thing. My last birthday I spent at a party I didn’t want to be at, poured into a tummy tightener that was so tight it left bruises around my ribs.”
The truck jolted. Hailey realized Wes had slammed his brakes. Horns honked behind him. “Sorry. Sorry. What the hell are you talking about? Why would you be in a tummy tightener? Why would you go to a party you didn’t want to attend for your own birthday?”
Fortunately, he moved with the traffic again but his fingers were clenched white around the wheel.
There goes happy Wes. He was so protective of people he cared about. She wondered if he realized it. She reached over, ran her hand over his arm. “It’s okay. Relax.”
“No. That’s bullshit. First, you don’t need to tighten anything. Second, you should do what you want on your birthday.”
“Sometimes I forget that you’re the oldest in your family. You have this protective streak.”
“That’s not because I’m the oldest, it’s because I care about the people around me. I hope I never meet that asshole you were with.”
“Now you sound like Fiona and Piper.”
“Excellent. Just what I hoped for.”
She laughed, read through their descriptions. Her heart hummed with happiness that she was on his list of people he cared about. It gave her hope that her next birthday would be far better than her last. She’d found her own people. Maybe it was time to give herself permission to get attached.
“Come on,” he said, his tone more relaxed. “The suspense is killing me.”
With a smile, she read the results. “You are a highball. You’re honest, loyal, and straight to the point. You have your friends’ back even if you don’t agree with them.”
Something twisted in Hailey’s ribs. For a fun quiz, it certainly had Wes pegged.
“Interesting. What are you?”
“I’m craft beer. Laid back, a little too much sometimes but loyal and true. No matter how much time passes, I’m the kind of friend you can always come back to.”
He was quiet as he pulled out of the traffic, took their exit off the freeway.
“All these years, I’ve been trying to figure myself out. Turns out I should have just taken a Cosmo quiz.”
Hailey laughed. “I’ll add it to my grocery list.”
“You don’t make a list.”
“Then I’ll add it to yours.” He was definitely honest and loyal but in her mind, Wes was more complicated than a simple highball. She never would have guessed, months ago, he’d be such a huge, important part of her life. That he’d make her think, push her to be better, support her, or make her laugh as often as he did.
He’d given her all the things she’d craved growing up. He made her feel like she belonged. As she continued to watch him as he drove, she realized it was too late for permission. She was already attached. The best she could do was hang on and hope the feelings were mutual.
21
December
In the kitchen, Hailey went through the calendar, transferring the events from her phone to the physical page and vice versa. She would not screw up because of lack of triple-checking.
Leo and Bryce—Esther’s grandson—were both on the schedule today. Leo was currently serving a small group of teen girls and Bryce was out handling the lunchtime deliveries. Hailey thought about pinching herself just to be sure it was real. She had employees. After finishing inventory, making a list of needed items, she went to help Leo out front.
A couple sat by the window. The three girls he’d helped giggled on their way to a corner table. Hailey’s heart was full.
“Hey,” Leo said.
“Hey yourself. What are you making?” She watched him chop a variety of vegetables, taking longer than she should have to realize they all had something in common. They were either red or green.
He grinned at her, grabbing a large cup. “The Santa Salad. What do you think?”
Hailey walked closer. He’d chosen a bed of butter lettuce, followed by diced red pepper, green pepper, tomatoes, snap peas, radish, cucumber, red onion and a sprinkling of feta cheese.
“This is beautiful. I love it,” she said, holding it up to turn it when he finished layering. Some of the veggies were more expensive this time of year, like the snap peas, but she didn’t want to diminish his creativity or enthusiasm. It was another of those tricky situations: they cost more to make, but customers loved specialty items so they sometimes sold better than other menu items.
“For real?” The guarded expression on his face tugged at her heartstrings.
She poured a light vinaigrette with a hint of spice over it, took a few bites. “Absolutely for real. We’ll put it on the menu as a December special. I’m really glad you’re here, Leo.”
“Thanks, Ms. Sh— Hailey. I love it here.”
The couple by the window stood, waving as they left. They held the door open for Wes as he walked through.
“Hey, Wes. Want a Santa Salad?” Leo called.
The girls in the corner looked Wes’s way then went back to their animated conversation, showing each other their phones.
Hailey smiled as Wes approached the counter. “Good afternoon.” He looked so good in a suit, like they were specially cut to fit his body. They probably are. He didn’t wear them as often anymore. His usual attire included polo shirts and jeans or button-ups and jeans. He looked just as good in jeans.
One side of his mouth quirked up. “Is it formal day?”
She laughed. “You’re the one in the suit, you tell me.”
“Just a regular day. How’s it going, Leo? What’s a Santa Salad?”
Leo shot her a look to which she gave a subtle nod. “It’s a salad I just made up. It’s red and green veggies with feta cheese.”
She saw the pride in Wes’s gaze when he looked at Leo.
“Nice job. I will definitely try one.”
“On it.” Leo got busy making another salad.
“What’s with the suit?” He looked damn good with his hair tousled a bit differently, making her wonder if he’d actually styled it today instead of just running his fingers through it.
“Meeting in about an hour. Thought I’d stop in here for lunch first.”
“What’s the meeting for?”
“The community center.”
Leo looked up. “When are we doing the fundraiser?”
“That’s part of what I’ll be discussing today. We’re trying to hire a board of directors.”
“Why? Don’t you, your brothers, Rob, and Ms. Lee run everything?”
