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.