She took a drink as Grace said, “You won’t have to worry about it. When you and Wes buy a place, Rosie and I will take charge. Trust me. We’re not subtle. Everly already knows I’m barreling full steam ahead when she and Chris finally choose a place.”
Hailey choked on her coffee. She coughed loudly, wishing the renovations upstairs could drown her out now. Grace rubbed her back.
“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.