Would she be into a steady income regardless of the amount? Hard yes. “Absolutely. I can come by this week or you can drop by the shop and we can look at the menu. I can show you some of the more popular ones or I can customize them if you’re looking for something specific.” She sounded breezy, right?
Stacey came out from the house. Her sun-kissed skin and bright eyes made Hailey think of Kate Hudson, whom she’d met once. Like Stacey, the actress was every bit as lovely and completely down-to-earth. She joked about being a big radio star when she wanted Rob to grab her another drink but it was clear she didn’t take herself too seriously.
“Tara isn’t joining us. She has a council meeting for the San Verde Shop Association.”
Hailey’s brows scrunched. She’d said next week.
“Are you part of that?” The ocean breeze fluttered through Wes’s hair, tousling it across his forehead.
“Tara mentioned it but she said it was next week.” Had she misheard her?
“I’m sure Tara can give you the details,” Stacey said. She clapped her hands together, looked around the group. “Time for some volleyball. Who’s in?”
The gleam in her gaze made her look like a warrior. She set it on Wes. “You and your brothers are not on the same team this time.”
His brow furrowed as Noah said, “Hey. Just because you lost.”
Grace lifted her brows, crossed her arms over her chest. “Which you brought up how many times?”
Noah sidled up to Grace, wrapped his arms around her stiff frame. “Aw, Gracie. You know I love you even if you can’t play volleyball.”
When he nuzzled her neck, Hailey saw her lips fighting laughter. She pushed at her boyfriend. “It’s the stupid sand.”
“Sure. Of course it is,” Chris said, leaning down to press a kiss to Everly’s forehead. “You playing, babe?”
She shook her head. “No thanks. I’ll do some cleanup.”
“You don’t have to do that, Evs.” Grace now had her arms wrapped around Noah’s waist.
“Trust me when I say I’d rather do dishes than play volleyball with any of you.” Everly looked at Fiona and Hailey. “No offense. But you’ll see.”
“This feels ominous,” Hailey said, standing. Gym wasn’t her best class in high school. No surprise, she’d aced Foods. Loved Drama.
“I think we should be scared,” Fiona said, setting her empty drink bottle on the tabletop.
“We’re perfectly nice people to play with,” Rob said. He tossed a volleyball he’d procured like magic in the air, catching it with one hand repeatedly. “Well, most of us.”
What she remembered from gym class did not help her. The best she could say was she’d avoided getting a ball straight to the face. However, when she dove for the ball Noah spiked, she’d eaten a bit of sand. Sweat dripped down her back. Maybe she should hit Rob’s gym.
“It touched the net,” Wes said, his eyes on his brother when he reached out a hand to haul Hailey off her butt. She’d have worried about looking awkward or yanking him down but he wasn’t paying much attention.
“Did not,” Noah said, hands on his hips.
Hailey dusted herself off. “It definitely touched the sand.”
Wes and Noah both turned to her, gazes similarly unimpressed. She pulled her cheek between her teeth so she didn’t laugh.
Fiona waved her hands. “Hello. Someone want to throw me the ball? It’s our serve.”
Noah hooked a thumb over his shoulder. “She’s right.”
Hailey, closest to the ball though not close enough to have made contact, grabbed it and threw it to the other side.
“What are you doing?” Wes asked, his tone clipped.
“Passing them the ball. What’s the big deal?”
“It’s our serve.”
She grinned, her toes twitching in the sand. Before she could reply, Chris called out, “Don’t engage, Hailey. Not worth it. Noah and Wes are both poor sports.”
“But only one of us can actually play,” Noah called.
“Yeah. Me,” Wes said, walking back to his spot.
They’d split into teams of four with Fiona, Noah, Rob, and Grace on one side, Chris, Hailey, Wes, and Stacey on the other.
Hailey glanced at him, meeting his gaze. “You’re a tad competitive.”
He shrugged and she could see him try to loosen the stiffness in his stance. “Noah brings it out in me.”
“Wes is the oldest so he’s always blamed his issues on his poor younger brothers,” Noah called.