“I’d really like to get the contracts signed and out of the way so we can enjoy dinner,” Wes said.
Ana shot him a dazzling smile. “You’re all work, Wes. You need to add a little play into your life.”
Wes seemed oblivious to the fact that Ana was interested in more than his cyberskills. Should she, as his friend, clue him in? When they pulled out the paperwork, Hailey excused herself to use the restroom.
After touching up her lipstick—it had been so long since she’d remembered she loved wearing it—she checked her phone.
Tara
Hey. Wanted to let you know the meeting was moved to tomorrow at 4. The landlord is attending.
Hailey
Thank you. Hope you’re having a fun Saturday night.
Tara
Don’t want to make you jealous but I’m doing inventory.
Hailey laughed.
Hailey
Totally jealous. Fiona is dragging me to a speed dating thing next week. You should come.
Tara
Intriguing. I’ll think about it.
The two business district meetings Hailey had attended so far were mostly housekeeping. Parking issues, a San Verde Square monthly newsletter was brought up, and a review of upcoming events. It was nice to meet some of her fellow shop owners but she and Tara were two of the only ones close to their thirties. Hailey was surprised by how many of the shops had been around for years. Management passed down through families.
When she returned to the table, she was happy to see the paperwork was done. Wes and Aidan both stood when she approached the table and it gave her stomach one of those whoosh feelings she hadn’t experienced in a while. It felt nice to be noticed. Maybe she should put some effort into the speed dating thing.
“All good?” Wes asked.
She nodded. “Tara texted that my shop owners’ meeting got moved to four tomorrow. The landlord is attending.” She shrugged, not knowing if that was normal.
“Interesting. Noah has been trying to get ahold of him for a while.”
“Your brother looking for more real estate?” Aidan asked.
“Always. Right now he’s shopping for my other brother but he’s never really not looking at commercial properties.”
“You have your hands in many pies,” Ana said.
Wes smiled. It was his polite one, not the one that made his blue eyes dance with laughter. “We like to be busy.”
Their dinners arrived shortly after and they were able to shift the conversation to casual topics. Aidan and Hailey got wrapped up in some Hollywood gossip. She couldn’t help it. She’d left that life behind but she still loved knowing who was dating who, not that Aidan could say much since his business was protecting his clients.
When the meal came to an end, Ana lifted her wineglass. “A toast. To friendship, to business, and to long, profitable relationships.”
It seemed like an odd toast to Hailey but she was on her third glass of wine so she clinked happily, warmth spreading through her belly.
As they waited for the valet to bring Wes’s car, she leaned her head against his shoulder.
“Have fun?” His voice was low.
She closed her eyes, soaking in his solid presence, the breeze that danced over her skin.
“So much fun,” she whispered.
“I think Aidan likes you,” Wes said.
Hailey tipped her head back. In her heels, she was close enough to see his gaze darken. “Funny. I think Ana likes you. Maybe we can double date them.” A giggle escaped at the idea of them showing up at the same restaurant but with opposite dates.
“You’re drunk.”
“Tipsy. There’s a difference.”
“Still want a movie and dessert?”
She straightened, looked around like he was hiding it. “Do you have the dessert?”
His chuckle was low and familiar. It warmed her stomach like the wine. “Right here.” He lifted the brown paper take-out bag.
“Phew.”
“You make me laugh.”
She smiled at him under the darkening night, the stars dancing over them. “That’s what friends are for.”
15
Wes was so relieved to have the contract signed, he’d texted his brothers while waiting for the valet to fetch his car. Hailey had leaned against him the entire time, making it hard not to notice the scent of her perfume, her contented sighs, and the way she smiled with her eyes closed.
She was still doing it as Wes set a glass of water in front of her where she lay, cheeks flush, on his couch. He didn’t like the way Ana and Aidan had pushed the final meeting more than once. You have it now. That’s all that matters. The contract. Not the way Aidan looked at and flirted with Hailey. He did his best to push that from his brain, unsure why it bothered him when he was so happy with their friend status.