“Thanks. We’re going to Finnegan’s.”
“I’ve heard great things. Who is he?”
They moved forward in the line. “He works with my cousin’s husband.”
Wes paid for his purchases, took his bags. They walked out, heading toward the food fair because Hailey wanted a drink. She turned her head, watching his profile as they walked. His jaw was tight. Was he holding back? Was she? Why was she so confused right now? She’d gotten so good at reading him but right now, he was a closed book.
“I think it’s good you’re dating,” Wes said as she sipped the soda he’d insisted on buying.
He sounded like he meant it but the usual spark in his eyes, the one that made them look like shimmering ocean water, was missing. “It’s just a dinner.”
Wes shrugged. The Wes she knew was not a shrugger. He was a perfect-posture kind of man. “That’s how it starts, isn’t it?”
She shrugged, mimicking him. “I’m not sure I know anymore.” If that’s true, he had dinner with Ana last night. Maybe he’s just trying to be discreet or maybe it’s really none of your business.
He pressed his soda to hers but didn’t smile when he said, “To new beginnings.”
Hailey blinked too many times in a row. She didn’t want to begin again. She wanted to keep going exactly the way they were. She’d been so worried about falling in love again, about being left, she hadn’t considered that not all friendships lasted either. That won’t be true for us. We’ll add it to the guide. Our friendship stays strong even when we find our people.
She huffed out a breath, pasted on a smile. “Who’s next on your list?”
“My mom. I’m going to get her an iPad.”
Hailey shook her head. “I’m so glad we set a limit.”
23
Wes looked around the space. Vaulted ceilings, gorgeous windows that looked out at hillsides of other homes.
“This place is fantastic,” Wes said.
“What do you think?” Noah asked Chris.
“It’s beautiful. I love it.”
“You could buy it, give it to Everly for Christmas,” Noah said, slapping a folded flyer against his hand.
Chris laughed. “Are you out of your mind?”
Noah looked over at Wes for backup. “It’d be totally romantic, right? A house? That’s an epic fucking gift.”
“No, Noah. It’s something two people buy together. I can’t buy a home without letting Everly see it.”
Noah folded his arms across his chest. “Ahh. So you just don’t know what she likes, huh?”
Wes chuckled, wandering the hardwood floors, loving the open concept between the kitchen and living areas.
“You’re an idiot. How did you get Grace to fall in love with you?” Chris wandered the kitchen, running his hand over the granite countertop.
“Looks, charm. I’m basically the whole package.”
Chris stopped, looked at Wes. “What do you think? Buy a woman a house as a gift?” His lips quirked like he was trying not to laugh.
“Hailey wouldn’t even let me buy her a purse.” His chest tightened with how naturally he’d made the comparison. What he had with Hailey was obviously very different than what his brothers had. Especially since she’d all but told him he and Ana were picture-perfect. The words made his jaw ache. “I think Everly would kill you. For that matter, Grace would do the same.”
Noah looked defeated. “Fine. I thought it’d be cool. You get her a tiny little box, put just the key in it. She unwraps it and is all, what’s this?” Chris and Wes watched in amusement as Noah mimed the scene. “She looks at you and you’re all, our future, baby.” He gestured dramatically.
“For the love of relationships everywhere on earth, please stop. Also, maybe you should run Grace’s gifts by us,” Chris said.
Noah laughed. “I know you can’t buy it without Everly seeing it, wanting it too, but seriously, what do you think?”
Chris gave a smile Wes had only seen a handful of times. Absolute contentment. “She’s going to love it. Let’s set up another walk through.”
When they climbed into Chris’s SUV, Noah took the front seat because, as usual, he’d called it first. Wes scrolled through his phone, checking his emails.
“How’d your thing go the other night?” Chris asked, meeting his gaze briefly in the rearview.
“With Ana? Fine. I sure as hell don’t miss those types of events.” Wes leaned back in the leather seat but he didn’t miss the look that passed between his brothers. It made his neck itch.