A Guide to Being Just Friends, page 26
“Are you okay?” Everly asked, a small smirk playing on her lips. “Grace, you nearly killed her with the ‘buying a house’ comment.”
Hailey nodded, set her coffee down. “I’m fine.” She tried clearing her throat, doing her best to catch her breath.
Grace smiled. “What? Noah said he’s never seen Wes so happy. It’s not a stretch at this point in our lives that the people we’re with are the ones we’re choosing.” Grace angled herself on the bench seat to look more fully at Hailey. “You are totally in love with Wes, so don’t even deny it.”
Hailey couldn’t help but laugh. “I haven’t actually said a thing.”
Rosie’s laugh was loud and fun. “Never mind Gracie. She sometimes forgets she’s not a wedding planner.”
Giddy nerves tickled Hailey’s ribs. “Wes and I have only been dating for a few months.”
“Not everyone is okay with jumping in headfirst,” Everly said to Grace affectionately.
Hailey bit her tongue. Oh, she’d jumped and landed. But that didn’t mean she and Wes would be advancing their relationship that soon. If she knew him, and she was pretty sure she did, he’d have a carefully designed schedule for where their relationship was headed. And because what Grace said was true—she did love him—she wasn’t entirely sure she was ready to unearth his plans. Because what if they were entirely different than the dreams she envisioned when she slept beside him at night?
“Trust me, the only thing I did with my head when I met Noah was butt it against his,” Grace said with a scoff.
“I can attest to that,” Rosie added.
The women entertained her with stories of Noah and Grace becoming neighbors. By the time she went back to the shop, she felt like she was floating. There was something incredibly empowering about having a group of women in her life who cared about her happiness and success. Women who realized that hers didn’t impact theirs. She’d wanted so much to dish about Wes but it didn’t feel right. He was private and more reserved than his brothers. What they had was theirs.
Leo was sweeping the floor when she returned. Bryce was wiping down tables. The pounding upstairs continued.
“Hey guys. How’d closing go?” She locked the door behind her.
“Good. It was busy today,” Bryce said. “There was a phone call about a possible dinner delivery tonight. You had nothing else on the calendar so I said yes.”
Leo looked up. His dark hair had grown long enough to fall over one eye. “We were going to make the salads after we do this then Bryce said he can deliver.”
“You guys finish up here. I’ll take care of the orders and delivery.”
“You sure?” Bryce asked.
She nodded. “Of course. If I haven’t told you guys already, you’re doing an awesome job and I’m so glad to have you guys working here.”
Both of the boys sort of ducked their heads, averted their eyes, and mumbled something appreciative and complimentary in response.
Hailey laughed, washing her hands before pulling on her apron. “Mushy moment over. Finish up and get out of here.”
It didn’t take long to make the salads despite the order being for twenty. They’d only ordered two types. She wasn’t sorry she’d let the catering jobs go but she was surprised by how many companies wanted the convenience of take-out for their employees. Pleasantly surprised. She packed up the orders, loaded them in her SUV, and dialed Wes on the way to the business section of town.
“I was just thinking of you,” Wes said into the phone.
Happiness warmed her skin. “That’s nice to hear.”
“I’m just about to head into a meeting. Did you want to come by later?” She heard muted sounds in the background.
“Absolutely. I just have a delivery then I’m heading home. Maybe call me when you’re done?”
“Sounds good.”
Hanging up, she was grateful for time to go home, shower, and change. She’d spilled olive oil on her jeans when the container slipped while she was making dressing. Fortunately, they were mostly work jeans so she wasn’t too worried that the stain was unlikely to come out. She pulled into the large, nondescript parking lot. It was one of those multibusiness places. Bryce’s instructions said second floor, 217. A security guard saw her coming and held the door for her.
“Thank you,” she said, giving him an appreciative smile.
“No problem. Where you headed?” He walked toward the elevator, glancing at her.
“217.”
He nodded, pressed the up arrow. “CoreTech.” He pointed to the ceiling then stretched his arm out. “Get out, turn right, go down to the end of the hall.”
Hailey hoped her face gave nothing away but as she stepped onto the elevator, her stomach cramped uncomfortably. It was a coincidence. That’s all. Ana may not even have placed the order. If she did, she’d have no way of knowing that Hailey would deliver herself.
The tub of salads felt unsteady in her hands. The elevator doors opened. She took an extra second to take a deep breath, let it out. She turned right and walked down the hall. When she reached the end, the glass door was open. There was no one at the reception but Hailey caught sight of a windowed room with several people around a table. Ana caught her gaze through the glass, smiled, and opened the door.
“Dinner as promised, guys. Come on in, Hailey.”
Hailey gritted her teeth, walked past Ana, set the box down on a side table near a mounted whiteboard with information written all over it. She turned, ready to leave, when she saw Wes. He stood from the end of the table and hurried toward her.
Looking at Ana, she wasn’t surprised to see a look of satisfaction on the woman’s face. She’d seen it many times in her life, particularly when she lived with Dorian.
Wes approached, put a hand on her arm. Ana turned before he could say anything.
“Aidan, can you pay the salad girl, please. Don’t forget to add a tip.” She turned to Hailey. “Thank you so much for coming all this way. My brother will take care of the bill.”
Ana’s brother joined them. Hailey could feel Wes seething beside her. Tension emanated off him like steam from a boiling pot. Aidan frowned at his sister.
“Hailey. Lovely to see you again,” he said, taking in the scene before him. To his credit, he sent his sister an unfriendly look.
Biting her tongue, refusing to let the woman bait her, she simply nodded curtly then gave him an amount.
“Wes, you look upset. I thought you’d be happy to have Hailey get some business,” Ana said.
“Hailey’s business is none of your concern. This crosses a line, Ana.”
Murmurs started behind them as people came to choose salads.
“Jesus, Ana,” Aidan said under his breath, pulling several bills out of his wallet before passing them to Hailey. “What did you do?”
“I didn’t do anything. Other than attend an event with a date,” Ana said.
Wes’s cheeks went pink and Hailey felt horrible. He hated confrontation, scenes, being the center of attention. Stepping toward the door, knowing the others would move with her, she swallowed down the hurt and anger she felt.
“It wasn’t a date,” Wes said.
Hailey put a hand on his arm and he stepped closer, wrapping his arm around her shoulder. She looked at Ana, whose gaze was filled with empty satisfaction.
“This isn’t the time or place. And really, there’s nothing to discuss.” She waited until Ana looked at her. “I’ve done nothing to you. I’m sorry you feel slighted but you’re a strong, beautiful woman. I’m not sure what your goal tonight was but you’re better than this. Wes wasn’t with you. I didn’t steal him. It doesn’t matter if you get more friends to cancel their contracts with me, it won’t change anything. Do you even like Wes or is it just that he chose me?”
Shock widened Ana’s gaze.
“What contracts?” Wes looked at her.
“Goddamn it, Ana. Wes, Hailey, I’m sorry.” Aidan shoved his hands in his pockets.
Ana stiffened her shoulders. “I’m not sure what everyone is upset about. I ordered salads. You guys eat, she gets business. Win-win.”
Hailey nodded. “Keep telling yourself that. Thank you for your business. Aidan, nice to see you. Wes.” She took a second, not caring that Ana stood before her in a freaking designer pantsuit while she wore oil-stained jeans. Whatever else Hailey might be unsure of, she knew, without a doubt, Wes wanted to be with her. She ran her hand up Wes’s chest, into his hair, and kissed him. “I’ll see you at home.”
With that, she turned and left. Proud of herself, she waited until she was in the elevator to collapse against the wall and let out a string of swear words.
38
Wes’s pulse scrambled, like it was short-circuiting. The last time he’d been this mad was because of her ex. This time … it was Ana. When he saw Hailey walk into that room, his heart had leaped, scaring the hell out of him. He didn’t understand emotional games, didn’t play them, but he was smart enough to recognize them in the slyness of Ana’s smile.
When Hailey left, he’d had to fight the urge to quit on the spot. The guilt he carried over making one huge decision without his brothers was enough to stop him from doing it again. But he did make it clear to Ana that he’d never wanted her that way. It had always been business. Hailey was gone when he got to the parking lot so he’d headed home.
He could still picture her, standing tall, standing up for herself. She was amazing. He’d tried phoning her but got voicemail. Hopefully, she’d be at his home shortly after he arrived.
When he got there and let himself inside his apartment, he had visitors. Just not who he’d hoped.
“The keys were for emergencies,” Wes said to his brothers, putting his own key in its spot on the table by the door.
Noah and Chris were sitting on his couch, beer in hand, watching sports.
“Make yourselves at home,” he said, tucking his shoes in the closet, shrugging off his jacket. “Maybe it’s better you’re here. I need to talk to you guys.” Time to spill his guts. He’d thought he could help everyone along, smooth out all the red tape, then do a “big reveal,” but now it just felt like keeping secrets.
Chris looked at him but Noah practically snarled, “About fucking time. Better late than never, I guess?”
Chris sent Noah a warning look. “Knock it off.”
Something was up. He grabbed a beer of his own, started into the living room when the buzzer went for his apartment. “That’s Hailey.”
Noah started to swear, increasing Wes’s own irritation tenfold. “I don’t know what your problem is but hang on to it for a minute.” He buzzed Hailey in, meeting his brother’s gaze, glare for glare.
He opened the door in time to see Hailey step off the elevator. His rib cage shrank, making his breath tight. She looked gorgeous, with that auburn hair still slightly damp around her shoulders, a cute pair of patterned leggings, and a long off-the-shoulder gray shirt.
“Hi.” Her smile when she saw him made him feel ten feet tall. What was it about her?
Wes leaned in, overwhelmed with how happy he was to see her. He kissed her, pulled back, then leaned in for more. When he pulled back, she looked up at him with a confused, blinking gaze.
“Are you okay?” Her hand rested on his stomach.
“I should be asking you. I’m so sorry about earlier.”
She shook her head, moved around him to go in. “Not your fault. Oh. Hi, guys.”
Wes shut the door behind them and followed her into the living area. Both Chris and Noah stood, offered their spots. Hailey laughed, shook her head, and sat cross-legged on his huge ottoman, dropping her bag beside it on the floor.
“I’m good here. How are you guys? I had brownies and coffee with Everly and Grace today. I met Grace’s friend Rosie.”
Both of his brothers shook off some of their moods and engaged with Hailey. It made him happy they all got along well.
“The patio around the pool is just about finished. We’ll have a BBQ when it’s all done,” Noah said. “You guys can stay over.”
Wes nodded. That would be great. Hailey looked at him questioningly. He smiled at her but answered Noah. “That sounds good.”
He didn’t know where to start. Clearly his brothers were here for a reason but he didn’t want to get into his own confessions with Hailey here. Not yet. Plus, he wanted to see if she was really okay about Ana.
Chris and Noah exchanged a glance. Of course, it was Noah who threw the bold statement at them. “I’m guessing you two are serious?”
Hailey’s gaze widened.
“Goddamn it, Noah. Have some tact. We’re not doing this now.”
“What’s going on?” Hailey’s voice was nearly timid. It didn’t suit her.
Noah stood, gesturing back and forth between them. “I’m not waiting. This isn’t about tact, it’s about honesty. What the hell, Wes?”
To his credit, Chris winced, shrugged an “I’m sorry” at Wes, but he stood, moved next to Noah.
“You guys know.” Son of a bitch. He should have just told them.
“Know what?” Hailey asked, looking at him.
“There’s construction going on at your place?” Noah asked Hailey.
She nodded uncertainly. “Yes. The new owner is remodeling. I think she’s planning on a huge apartment or something. I’m not sure. Tara always knows more than me.”
Noah and Chris looked at Wes. He set his beer down on the coffee table, refusing to squirm under their censure. He opened the patio door, stood by it for a minute.
“Wes? What’s going on?”
He turned and looked at the three of them.
Noah shook his head. “If you wanted it that bad, fine. Why go behind our backs?”
“That’s not what this was, Noah. We decided it wasn’t right for SCI. But I felt strongly about it.”
“Should I go?” Hailey reached for her bag. His brothers looked at him, brows lifted.
Wes gave a deep sigh. “You should stay but know, you’ll likely be mad at me by the time they’re done.”
Her fingers gripped her bag and she pulled it onto her lap like it was security. “Okay. You’re worrying me.”
“I know the owner of your building. My brothers decided not to invest.”
Her shoulders sagged with what seemed like relief. “Oh. Okay. I’m sorry it didn’t work out for you guys. It would have been nice to have your meeting space just upstairs.”
Chris’s mouth tightened. Noah smiled at her. “We’ll probably still do that.”
Hailey looked at him. “What am I missing? I don’t like games. What’s going on?”
One more reason to like her: she didn’t like games. She didn’t play them and looking at this from behind, he could see he’d made a pretty big mistake.
“The new owner is our mother.”
If she hadn’t been firmly planted on her butt, she looked like she would fall over. “I don’t understand.”
Wes shoved both hands in his hair then tugged at his tie, pulled it off, and tossed it on the kitchen table. “It wasn’t the right investment for our company but I still felt strongly about the space. So, I spoke to my mother, asked her to weigh in. She’s been thinking about moving to California or at least having a place here. I mentioned the area above the shops. Sent her some pictures. She loved it.”
“You let Mom invest her money in something we agreed wasn’t a good investment,” Chris said. His brother’s tone was disappointed. It felt like a kick in the gut.
“Not a good investment for us. But for Mom, it is. She’ll have more space at a better price than if she’d bought a condo. She’ll be finishing the two small apartments that have been empty for months because of the cost. We can have the meeting area; she even said she’d charge us for it. Plus she’ll have rent from the shops. It works for everyone.”
Hailey sucked in a breath. “Wait.” She took a deep breath. Like sucked in for a full five seconds, then released it. She met Wes’s gaze. “Did you suggest your mother buy the shops to help me with the rent?”
He continued to stare at her, unwilling to regret making her life easier. It was a good move for everyone. “That was a factor in my decision, yes. But that doesn’t mean she would have purchased them regardless. She’s thrilled. It’s a good investment. I wouldn’t put my mother in a bad situation.”
Hailey stood almost as if in slow motion. “That’s good to hear. But, if I’m understanding correctly, what you would do is go behind everyone’s backs, including mine, to make sure my rent was reasonable.”
He shoved a hand in his hair. Everyone always told him he was too black and white, too literal. Now he understood. What he’d done was in the gray area. Technically, what she said was true but it was more complicated than she said. “We would have lowered it if we’d bought it.”
She nodded, pursed her lips. “But you didn’t buy it. Why would an owner move in and lower the rent?”
“Because she’s a real businessperson who understands what the previous owner charged was ridiculous. He was operating on fear, trying to undo bad investments. She’ll profit on these shops even with lowering the rate. With what that guy was charging, everyone would have had to move. You would have had to look for a different space.”
“Was it a favor?” She stepped closer to him. He felt like prey.
“Yes. No. No. Not a favor. A smart move for everyone.”
She turned to his brothers. “In your honest opinion, was this a smart move for everyone?”
Noah’s gaze widened before he looked down to study his feet. “Not for Wes,” he muttered.
Chris elbowed him. “Hailey, Wes is smarter than anyone I know. He never would have suggested the investment if my mother wouldn’t do well. He only ever has people’s best interests at heart.”
Wes swallowed. “Thanks, man.”
Chris shot him a glance. “But it’s always in everyone’s best interests to be up front. Especially when you have a partnership.”
Wes didn’t know if his brother meant their partnership or him and Hailey.
“Hailey.”
She shook her head, held up a hand. “I tell you a Tiffany bracelet is too much after two weeks, you seem to get it. I didn’t think it needed to be said but apparently you need it spelled out pretty clear. Nearly four months is too soon to buy real estate to save your girlfriend’s ass. Especially when said girlfriend has told you more than once that I can take care of myself. I don’t want anything from you other than you, but that’s too much for you to wrap your head around, isn’t it?”
Hailey nodded, set her coffee down. “I’m fine.” She tried clearing her throat, doing her best to catch her breath.
Grace smiled. “What? Noah said he’s never seen Wes so happy. It’s not a stretch at this point in our lives that the people we’re with are the ones we’re choosing.” Grace angled herself on the bench seat to look more fully at Hailey. “You are totally in love with Wes, so don’t even deny it.”
Hailey couldn’t help but laugh. “I haven’t actually said a thing.”
Rosie’s laugh was loud and fun. “Never mind Gracie. She sometimes forgets she’s not a wedding planner.”
Giddy nerves tickled Hailey’s ribs. “Wes and I have only been dating for a few months.”
“Not everyone is okay with jumping in headfirst,” Everly said to Grace affectionately.
Hailey bit her tongue. Oh, she’d jumped and landed. But that didn’t mean she and Wes would be advancing their relationship that soon. If she knew him, and she was pretty sure she did, he’d have a carefully designed schedule for where their relationship was headed. And because what Grace said was true—she did love him—she wasn’t entirely sure she was ready to unearth his plans. Because what if they were entirely different than the dreams she envisioned when she slept beside him at night?
“Trust me, the only thing I did with my head when I met Noah was butt it against his,” Grace said with a scoff.
“I can attest to that,” Rosie added.
The women entertained her with stories of Noah and Grace becoming neighbors. By the time she went back to the shop, she felt like she was floating. There was something incredibly empowering about having a group of women in her life who cared about her happiness and success. Women who realized that hers didn’t impact theirs. She’d wanted so much to dish about Wes but it didn’t feel right. He was private and more reserved than his brothers. What they had was theirs.
Leo was sweeping the floor when she returned. Bryce was wiping down tables. The pounding upstairs continued.
“Hey guys. How’d closing go?” She locked the door behind her.
“Good. It was busy today,” Bryce said. “There was a phone call about a possible dinner delivery tonight. You had nothing else on the calendar so I said yes.”
Leo looked up. His dark hair had grown long enough to fall over one eye. “We were going to make the salads after we do this then Bryce said he can deliver.”
“You guys finish up here. I’ll take care of the orders and delivery.”
“You sure?” Bryce asked.
She nodded. “Of course. If I haven’t told you guys already, you’re doing an awesome job and I’m so glad to have you guys working here.”
Both of the boys sort of ducked their heads, averted their eyes, and mumbled something appreciative and complimentary in response.
Hailey laughed, washing her hands before pulling on her apron. “Mushy moment over. Finish up and get out of here.”
It didn’t take long to make the salads despite the order being for twenty. They’d only ordered two types. She wasn’t sorry she’d let the catering jobs go but she was surprised by how many companies wanted the convenience of take-out for their employees. Pleasantly surprised. She packed up the orders, loaded them in her SUV, and dialed Wes on the way to the business section of town.
“I was just thinking of you,” Wes said into the phone.
Happiness warmed her skin. “That’s nice to hear.”
“I’m just about to head into a meeting. Did you want to come by later?” She heard muted sounds in the background.
“Absolutely. I just have a delivery then I’m heading home. Maybe call me when you’re done?”
“Sounds good.”
Hanging up, she was grateful for time to go home, shower, and change. She’d spilled olive oil on her jeans when the container slipped while she was making dressing. Fortunately, they were mostly work jeans so she wasn’t too worried that the stain was unlikely to come out. She pulled into the large, nondescript parking lot. It was one of those multibusiness places. Bryce’s instructions said second floor, 217. A security guard saw her coming and held the door for her.
“Thank you,” she said, giving him an appreciative smile.
“No problem. Where you headed?” He walked toward the elevator, glancing at her.
“217.”
He nodded, pressed the up arrow. “CoreTech.” He pointed to the ceiling then stretched his arm out. “Get out, turn right, go down to the end of the hall.”
Hailey hoped her face gave nothing away but as she stepped onto the elevator, her stomach cramped uncomfortably. It was a coincidence. That’s all. Ana may not even have placed the order. If she did, she’d have no way of knowing that Hailey would deliver herself.
The tub of salads felt unsteady in her hands. The elevator doors opened. She took an extra second to take a deep breath, let it out. She turned right and walked down the hall. When she reached the end, the glass door was open. There was no one at the reception but Hailey caught sight of a windowed room with several people around a table. Ana caught her gaze through the glass, smiled, and opened the door.
“Dinner as promised, guys. Come on in, Hailey.”
Hailey gritted her teeth, walked past Ana, set the box down on a side table near a mounted whiteboard with information written all over it. She turned, ready to leave, when she saw Wes. He stood from the end of the table and hurried toward her.
Looking at Ana, she wasn’t surprised to see a look of satisfaction on the woman’s face. She’d seen it many times in her life, particularly when she lived with Dorian.
Wes approached, put a hand on her arm. Ana turned before he could say anything.
“Aidan, can you pay the salad girl, please. Don’t forget to add a tip.” She turned to Hailey. “Thank you so much for coming all this way. My brother will take care of the bill.”
Ana’s brother joined them. Hailey could feel Wes seething beside her. Tension emanated off him like steam from a boiling pot. Aidan frowned at his sister.
“Hailey. Lovely to see you again,” he said, taking in the scene before him. To his credit, he sent his sister an unfriendly look.
Biting her tongue, refusing to let the woman bait her, she simply nodded curtly then gave him an amount.
“Wes, you look upset. I thought you’d be happy to have Hailey get some business,” Ana said.
“Hailey’s business is none of your concern. This crosses a line, Ana.”
Murmurs started behind them as people came to choose salads.
“Jesus, Ana,” Aidan said under his breath, pulling several bills out of his wallet before passing them to Hailey. “What did you do?”
“I didn’t do anything. Other than attend an event with a date,” Ana said.
Wes’s cheeks went pink and Hailey felt horrible. He hated confrontation, scenes, being the center of attention. Stepping toward the door, knowing the others would move with her, she swallowed down the hurt and anger she felt.
“It wasn’t a date,” Wes said.
Hailey put a hand on his arm and he stepped closer, wrapping his arm around her shoulder. She looked at Ana, whose gaze was filled with empty satisfaction.
“This isn’t the time or place. And really, there’s nothing to discuss.” She waited until Ana looked at her. “I’ve done nothing to you. I’m sorry you feel slighted but you’re a strong, beautiful woman. I’m not sure what your goal tonight was but you’re better than this. Wes wasn’t with you. I didn’t steal him. It doesn’t matter if you get more friends to cancel their contracts with me, it won’t change anything. Do you even like Wes or is it just that he chose me?”
Shock widened Ana’s gaze.
“What contracts?” Wes looked at her.
“Goddamn it, Ana. Wes, Hailey, I’m sorry.” Aidan shoved his hands in his pockets.
Ana stiffened her shoulders. “I’m not sure what everyone is upset about. I ordered salads. You guys eat, she gets business. Win-win.”
Hailey nodded. “Keep telling yourself that. Thank you for your business. Aidan, nice to see you. Wes.” She took a second, not caring that Ana stood before her in a freaking designer pantsuit while she wore oil-stained jeans. Whatever else Hailey might be unsure of, she knew, without a doubt, Wes wanted to be with her. She ran her hand up Wes’s chest, into his hair, and kissed him. “I’ll see you at home.”
With that, she turned and left. Proud of herself, she waited until she was in the elevator to collapse against the wall and let out a string of swear words.
38
Wes’s pulse scrambled, like it was short-circuiting. The last time he’d been this mad was because of her ex. This time … it was Ana. When he saw Hailey walk into that room, his heart had leaped, scaring the hell out of him. He didn’t understand emotional games, didn’t play them, but he was smart enough to recognize them in the slyness of Ana’s smile.
When Hailey left, he’d had to fight the urge to quit on the spot. The guilt he carried over making one huge decision without his brothers was enough to stop him from doing it again. But he did make it clear to Ana that he’d never wanted her that way. It had always been business. Hailey was gone when he got to the parking lot so he’d headed home.
He could still picture her, standing tall, standing up for herself. She was amazing. He’d tried phoning her but got voicemail. Hopefully, she’d be at his home shortly after he arrived.
When he got there and let himself inside his apartment, he had visitors. Just not who he’d hoped.
“The keys were for emergencies,” Wes said to his brothers, putting his own key in its spot on the table by the door.
Noah and Chris were sitting on his couch, beer in hand, watching sports.
“Make yourselves at home,” he said, tucking his shoes in the closet, shrugging off his jacket. “Maybe it’s better you’re here. I need to talk to you guys.” Time to spill his guts. He’d thought he could help everyone along, smooth out all the red tape, then do a “big reveal,” but now it just felt like keeping secrets.
Chris looked at him but Noah practically snarled, “About fucking time. Better late than never, I guess?”
Chris sent Noah a warning look. “Knock it off.”
Something was up. He grabbed a beer of his own, started into the living room when the buzzer went for his apartment. “That’s Hailey.”
Noah started to swear, increasing Wes’s own irritation tenfold. “I don’t know what your problem is but hang on to it for a minute.” He buzzed Hailey in, meeting his brother’s gaze, glare for glare.
He opened the door in time to see Hailey step off the elevator. His rib cage shrank, making his breath tight. She looked gorgeous, with that auburn hair still slightly damp around her shoulders, a cute pair of patterned leggings, and a long off-the-shoulder gray shirt.
“Hi.” Her smile when she saw him made him feel ten feet tall. What was it about her?
Wes leaned in, overwhelmed with how happy he was to see her. He kissed her, pulled back, then leaned in for more. When he pulled back, she looked up at him with a confused, blinking gaze.
“Are you okay?” Her hand rested on his stomach.
“I should be asking you. I’m so sorry about earlier.”
She shook her head, moved around him to go in. “Not your fault. Oh. Hi, guys.”
Wes shut the door behind them and followed her into the living area. Both Chris and Noah stood, offered their spots. Hailey laughed, shook her head, and sat cross-legged on his huge ottoman, dropping her bag beside it on the floor.
“I’m good here. How are you guys? I had brownies and coffee with Everly and Grace today. I met Grace’s friend Rosie.”
Both of his brothers shook off some of their moods and engaged with Hailey. It made him happy they all got along well.
“The patio around the pool is just about finished. We’ll have a BBQ when it’s all done,” Noah said. “You guys can stay over.”
Wes nodded. That would be great. Hailey looked at him questioningly. He smiled at her but answered Noah. “That sounds good.”
He didn’t know where to start. Clearly his brothers were here for a reason but he didn’t want to get into his own confessions with Hailey here. Not yet. Plus, he wanted to see if she was really okay about Ana.
Chris and Noah exchanged a glance. Of course, it was Noah who threw the bold statement at them. “I’m guessing you two are serious?”
Hailey’s gaze widened.
“Goddamn it, Noah. Have some tact. We’re not doing this now.”
“What’s going on?” Hailey’s voice was nearly timid. It didn’t suit her.
Noah stood, gesturing back and forth between them. “I’m not waiting. This isn’t about tact, it’s about honesty. What the hell, Wes?”
To his credit, Chris winced, shrugged an “I’m sorry” at Wes, but he stood, moved next to Noah.
“You guys know.” Son of a bitch. He should have just told them.
“Know what?” Hailey asked, looking at him.
“There’s construction going on at your place?” Noah asked Hailey.
She nodded uncertainly. “Yes. The new owner is remodeling. I think she’s planning on a huge apartment or something. I’m not sure. Tara always knows more than me.”
Noah and Chris looked at Wes. He set his beer down on the coffee table, refusing to squirm under their censure. He opened the patio door, stood by it for a minute.
“Wes? What’s going on?”
He turned and looked at the three of them.
Noah shook his head. “If you wanted it that bad, fine. Why go behind our backs?”
“That’s not what this was, Noah. We decided it wasn’t right for SCI. But I felt strongly about it.”
“Should I go?” Hailey reached for her bag. His brothers looked at him, brows lifted.
Wes gave a deep sigh. “You should stay but know, you’ll likely be mad at me by the time they’re done.”
Her fingers gripped her bag and she pulled it onto her lap like it was security. “Okay. You’re worrying me.”
“I know the owner of your building. My brothers decided not to invest.”
Her shoulders sagged with what seemed like relief. “Oh. Okay. I’m sorry it didn’t work out for you guys. It would have been nice to have your meeting space just upstairs.”
Chris’s mouth tightened. Noah smiled at her. “We’ll probably still do that.”
Hailey looked at him. “What am I missing? I don’t like games. What’s going on?”
One more reason to like her: she didn’t like games. She didn’t play them and looking at this from behind, he could see he’d made a pretty big mistake.
“The new owner is our mother.”
If she hadn’t been firmly planted on her butt, she looked like she would fall over. “I don’t understand.”
Wes shoved both hands in his hair then tugged at his tie, pulled it off, and tossed it on the kitchen table. “It wasn’t the right investment for our company but I still felt strongly about the space. So, I spoke to my mother, asked her to weigh in. She’s been thinking about moving to California or at least having a place here. I mentioned the area above the shops. Sent her some pictures. She loved it.”
“You let Mom invest her money in something we agreed wasn’t a good investment,” Chris said. His brother’s tone was disappointed. It felt like a kick in the gut.
“Not a good investment for us. But for Mom, it is. She’ll have more space at a better price than if she’d bought a condo. She’ll be finishing the two small apartments that have been empty for months because of the cost. We can have the meeting area; she even said she’d charge us for it. Plus she’ll have rent from the shops. It works for everyone.”
Hailey sucked in a breath. “Wait.” She took a deep breath. Like sucked in for a full five seconds, then released it. She met Wes’s gaze. “Did you suggest your mother buy the shops to help me with the rent?”
He continued to stare at her, unwilling to regret making her life easier. It was a good move for everyone. “That was a factor in my decision, yes. But that doesn’t mean she would have purchased them regardless. She’s thrilled. It’s a good investment. I wouldn’t put my mother in a bad situation.”
Hailey stood almost as if in slow motion. “That’s good to hear. But, if I’m understanding correctly, what you would do is go behind everyone’s backs, including mine, to make sure my rent was reasonable.”
He shoved a hand in his hair. Everyone always told him he was too black and white, too literal. Now he understood. What he’d done was in the gray area. Technically, what she said was true but it was more complicated than she said. “We would have lowered it if we’d bought it.”
She nodded, pursed her lips. “But you didn’t buy it. Why would an owner move in and lower the rent?”
“Because she’s a real businessperson who understands what the previous owner charged was ridiculous. He was operating on fear, trying to undo bad investments. She’ll profit on these shops even with lowering the rate. With what that guy was charging, everyone would have had to move. You would have had to look for a different space.”
“Was it a favor?” She stepped closer to him. He felt like prey.
“Yes. No. No. Not a favor. A smart move for everyone.”
She turned to his brothers. “In your honest opinion, was this a smart move for everyone?”
Noah’s gaze widened before he looked down to study his feet. “Not for Wes,” he muttered.
Chris elbowed him. “Hailey, Wes is smarter than anyone I know. He never would have suggested the investment if my mother wouldn’t do well. He only ever has people’s best interests at heart.”
Wes swallowed. “Thanks, man.”
Chris shot him a glance. “But it’s always in everyone’s best interests to be up front. Especially when you have a partnership.”
Wes didn’t know if his brother meant their partnership or him and Hailey.
“Hailey.”
She shook her head, held up a hand. “I tell you a Tiffany bracelet is too much after two weeks, you seem to get it. I didn’t think it needed to be said but apparently you need it spelled out pretty clear. Nearly four months is too soon to buy real estate to save your girlfriend’s ass. Especially when said girlfriend has told you more than once that I can take care of myself. I don’t want anything from you other than you, but that’s too much for you to wrap your head around, isn’t it?”
