“You’re killing me,” she finally said, looking at his profile. The moon was shining through the window, illuminating his sharp jaw and just slightly crooked nose. He had a good face. A good heart. He called her on her stubbornness but he had a healthy amount, too.
“It’s been five minutes,” he said.
“Since we left, yeah. But like, twenty since you said anything.”
“You’re such a kid sometimes.”
“Says the person who plays video games every Saturday morning, in pajamas, after eating a massive bowl of cereal.”
“Fair point. Open my phone. Fiona texted me her quiz.”
She nearly squealed but stopped herself. “For real?” She grabbed his phone from the console between them, punching in his ridiculously long password. There was security and then there was Wes.
“I thought you were really mad at me.”
She couldn’t help her laugh. “If being mad at you would have got you to do one of her quizzes before, I would have lied.”
“No lying. It’s in the guide.”
“I don’t remember seeing that specifically.” She pulled up the text.
“Trust me, it’ll be there the next time you look.”
She laughed. “Shush. Here it is. What kind of friend are you? Looks like we’ll end up being margaritas, highballs, craft beer, or wine.”
“I’m on the edge of my seat.”
His blend of teasing and sarcasm didn’t faze her. She read each of the questions, trying to downplay how much fun she was having. Fiona was not only adorable but brilliant to come up with this. Hailey loved it! She should get her friend to do one of these things with what type of salad a person would be.
“Your friend is late. Do you order their favorite drink, text them to hurry up, or bring it up the next time you’re mad?”
Flipping the blinker switch, he sent her a quick glance. “Bring it up the next time you’re mad?”
“Careful.”
He switched lanes. “Fine. Order their drink. FYI, you’re late all the time.”
She grinned. “And not once have you had my drink waiting for me.”
“I feel so much shame.”
Giddy laughter escaped, made better when Wes joined in. “Okay. Your friend is wearing a color they shouldn’t. You tell them, suggest a top you love as an alternative, or say nothing.”
“I can’t picture saying either of the first two so I guess, say nothing.”
“I’m putting suggest a top I love.”
He sent her another glance, this time with one eyebrow perfectly arched. “I won’t wear anything you suggest.”
The traffic seemed to come to a stop. Hailey angled herself against the door and the seat so she could face Wes a bit better.
“That loosens your seat belt. You shouldn’t sit like that.”
“Noted. Okay, you see something your friend would love. Do you buy it, text them a picture of it, or do nothing.”
“Buy it.”
“That was quick.”
He shrugged. “You?”
“Text a picture. Not all of us have vaults of money.”
With the traffic at a standstill, he had time to look over. He looked a bit tired, making Hailey’s heart pinch. She knew he was stressed about his father and his brothers. “How do you know about my vault?”
With a smile, she scrolled to the next question. “It’s your friend’s birthday. They don’t want fanfare. Do you ignore them and plan a big party, celebrate quietly with the two of you, or do you drop off a gift?”
He started to answer but Hailey sat up straight. “When’s your birthday?”
His cheeks flushed. Even in the moonlit cab, she could see hints of pink on his skin. Adorable. “This feels like the speed dating thing all over again. January twenty-eighth. Yours?”
“May sixteenth. Phew. We haven’t missed each other’s.”
“We’ve missed a few.”
She laughed again. “You’re funny tonight.”
He bobbed his brows in a very uncharacteristically Wes gesture. “Just tonight?”
Hailey couldn’t help look at him an extra moment before she responded. He’d deny it but she could tell by the way his dimple flashed, the creases in the corners of his eyes, that he was having fun. She loved seeing him happy. “More so than usual. Okay. Answer the question.”
“I’d respect their wishes but hope to at least celebrate with the two of us.”
“Okay. I just have to tally.” The traffic started moving again.