He hoped like hell Hailey wasn’t mad at him but how could he not act when he was right? It would be mutually beneficial. Wes couldn’t help himself. He’d done thousand-piece puzzles on his own at age five. He was a born and bred problem solver.
He’d tell her why he suggested it—she might have too if she met Leo—and leave it in her court. She was getting busier every day and if she didn’t get mad at his overstepping, she’d see this could really push her to the next level. Wes had run the numbers on her website and she was getting frequent visitors. It would increase if she could offer delivery, even part-time.
“Sure. That’d be okay. I’ll talk to you next week?” The tiny touch of hope, the faint glimmer in his tone, was enough to have Wes smiling.
“You bet.” And because he was practical and hated disappointing people, he added, “No guarantees but I think it would be a great fit.”
When he left the center, drove toward home, he felt better than he had in a while. More grounded. Less … scattered. Lately, he’d felt like his brain was Hailey’s laptop—eight hundred open tabs all vying for attention. He didn’t like feeling pulled in different directions when none of them seemed particularly interesting.
When he pulled into his parking spot at home, he checked his phone. Ana had asked about a dinner meeting next week, saying she’d bring the paperwork to sign there. It was too good an offer to be put off by having to socialize for one dinner. The money from this deal could give them the cushion they wanted for other investments.
With a smile, he got out of his vehicle and thought about what he could trade Hailey to get her to come with him. This might not be what was meant by friends with benefits, but he had a feeling she’d be willing to make a deal.
13
Wes’s apartment was awesome. She’d been 100 percent accurate when she assumed the space would be enviable. “I love it. It’s a great size. Oh look! You have a little patio,” Hailey said, sliding the door open and stepping onto it.
“There sure is a difference between the word ‘studio’ in New York and here in California,” he said behind her, a smile in his voice. She liked that she could recognize that even without looking at him.
Other people were out on their patios as well. Vehicles moved along the street, and music came from multiple places. She leaned over the railing, hanging on tight but trying to fold her body just … a … little … more.
Wes’s hands gripped her waist, shocking her in a duality of different ways.
“Please don’t,” he said, tension woven into each word.
He’d stepped back to the doorway, his gaze down, when she turned around. With a grin, she put her hand over her heart. “You scared me. I was just trying to see if I could see my shop.” And she hadn’t expected the zing of pleasure at the feel of his fingers digging into her hips.
He looked up, meeting her gaze. “You scared me. I can see it if I lean over but you’re about a foot too short.”
The worry she saw in his eyes, the tension that still riddled his shoulders surprised her. He was serious. She’d actually scared him. Like he thought something would happen to her.
Going on instinct, Hailey stepped closer. “I’m okay. I didn’t mean to scare you.”
He shook it off, gave her an almost-smile. “It’s fine.”
This close, she’d caught the scent of his cologne and of pure Wes and she had to remind herself that neither of them wanted more than just friendship. Hailey had been lonely enough in the past few years that she knew there was no “just” about it: friendship was a gift. One she’d sorely been missing. They went back inside.
The patio was off a living room that led to a sweet little kitchen. The other end of the apartment had a bedroom, den, and gorgeous bathroom. She went toward the kitchen, started unloading some of the supplies she’d brought.
“I thought I had everything,” Wes said, folding his arms across his chest as he leaned on the opening between the kitchen and living area.
“I know, but I wasn’t sure if you ate what you bought.” She reached for a drawer then looked at him. “Okay if I make myself at home?”
He gestured to go ahead with his hand. “You thought I ate two cans of diced tomatoes and a pound of brown sugar?”
It was easy to tease him. “Hey, I don’t know what your secrets are.”
His laughter made her happy. “Now I want to know yours. What do you want me to do?”