As though he needed time, he strolled along the display counter, his gaze moving over the fresh ingredients below the plexiglass divider. When he stopped, he was closer, near to where she’d been sitting.
It was then he pinned his eyes on hers. “I don’t suppose you have an apology salad? Though, then I guess I’d be making it for you.” He sighed. “I should have brought you cake from Tara’s. It’s delicious.”
Her brows scrunched, her embarrassment over the phone call slowly fading.
Wes shook his head. “I’m rambling. I’m not very good at this.”
“Apologizing?”
She watched his Adam’s apple move up and down. “To being out of line. Being a complete jackass. I try not to be.”
She leaned against the counter, overwhelmingly grateful they were focusing on his failings and not on pencil dicks. “There’s no such thing as an apology salad but you could just say the words.”
He nodded, like she’d scolded him even though she’d kept her tone even. “I am sorry. Very sorry, Hailey. And incredibly embarrassed.”
Hailey hadn’t expected him to be so forthright. So genuine. “Thank you.”
Shifting in his spot, he continued to stare at her. She was curious to see if he’d add anything. When he didn’t, she couldn’t stand the quiet.
“I take it your date didn’t go well?”
The twitch of a smile turned into a real one and the impact on her system was concerning. He moved to the stool she’d sat on earlier and eased into it, glancing down at her list, then up at her. No suit today but his jeans and light, long-sleeved shirt looked every bit as good.
He seemed to be weighing his words carefully. “It didn’t go at all. She never showed.”
Hailey grabbed the pen, paper, and her calendar from where they lay in front of him, storing them behind the counter.
“I’m really sorry.” She meant it. It had been a while since she’d dated but she’d had some less-than-stellar ones herself.
Once again, his brows darted together. “I came here to say that to you.”
She leaned against the counter from her side so she was across from him. “You did. Apology accepted.”
“That’s it?”
She laughed. “Was there something else?”
Wes folded his arms on the sleek white eating area. She only had three stools on this shorter side of the counter. The rest were arranged in front of the window on the other side of the store.
“No. I just figured you might … you know what? I have no idea. I didn’t get to try your salad yesterday. Can I have a Wild for Walnuts?”
Happy to shift the conversation away from anything awkward, she nodded, washed her hands, and pulled on some gloves.
“So, pen—”
Her arm shot out and her index finger aimed right at him as she backed up toward the service bar. “Don’t say it. We will not speak of that. Stupid voice texting.”
When he laughed, really laughed, his eyes crinkled. “Sure.”
“Be nice or I’ll put hot sauce in your salad.”
“Maybe I like hot sauce,” he said, his tone shifting.
She smiled, grabbing a cup and tongs. This was better than awkward. While she put the ingredients together, she asked, “Any more dates? I mean, ones that showed.”
“No. After that one I decided to take a break,” he said, watching her layer butter lettuce, chopped walnuts, marinated tomatoes, and cucumbers.
“Sometimes you need one.” She could understand that no problem.
“You speaking from experience?”
Focusing on her task, she gave a slight nod she wasn’t even sure if he saw. “My last relationship required more than a break. I’m on a semipermanent hiatus.”
His laughter brought her gaze back up. “Ouch. Must have been bad.”
“You have no idea.” She walked back over, put the salad and a fork in front of him. “Here you go, Wes. One Wild for Walnuts.”
After he paid, she thought he’d leave. Nice knowing you, sorry for the mix-up, see you. But he didn’t. He opened it up and dug in.
“Damn. This is good. I can’t believe it’s good for you. When people order salad at a restaurant, I always think it’s a waste of a meal out but wow. Maybe I’m the one who was wrong.”
She grinned, came around the counter again. “Wouldn’t be the first time.”
His lips fell flat but she could see the laughter in his gaze. “Well played.”