“Thank you,” Stacey said. “I love getting all dressed up. What do you think of Hailey’s dress?”
Wes swallowed but couldn’t erase the feeling that he had something lodged in his throat. “It looks amazing on her.” He’d seen the look in her eyes when he zoomed in on the pictures she’d sent him from the changing room.
She’d clearly wanted that dress and it was easy to see why. She wasn’t the type of woman to splurge on herself even if she had the money. He knew because her gift to herself for her rise in sales had been buying ad space.
It brought him great joy to buy the dress for Hailey, have it delivered, and know she’d be coming with him tonight wearing something she loved.
“I love that there was no tag. It means the gift giver just wanted you to enjoy it. It’s not about them. It’s very thoughtful,” Everly said, her voice barely audible over the instrumental Christmas music. She smiled at Wes like she could see through him.
Wes shook his head, took a long drink of his beer.
“Hey, how was your date?” Stacey asked as Rob joined them.
Wes choked on his drink, coughing loud and rough.
“You okay, bud?” Rob put an arm around Stacey, pulling her close to his side.
He nodded because he couldn’t speak just yet. Hailey’s eyes were filled with concern before she pinned Stacey with a much clearer one. “It wasn’t a date. It was dinner with him and my cousin and her husband.”
Stacey nodded, leaned her head on Rob’s shoulder. “But he asked you out again.”
Everly sent her friend a warning glance. Wes could feel Stacey pushing his buttons as surely as if her manicured red nails were poking through his skin. Or maybe she believes what you’ve been selling. You keep saying you’re friends. Why wouldn’t they ask her about her date?
“He did?” Wes sounded like he’d swallowed gravel.
Hailey nodded. “He did. He came into the shop but honestly, I was so swamped thanks to Fiona’s tweet, I was barely able to acknowledge him. I had my best day of sales ever.”
The others cheered, raised their glasses. Everly smiled, darting glances between him and Hailey. Chris joined them. Noah and Grace would be a bit late but were joining as well.
“Why are we all huddled in the corner? Mari and Mason want to get the Secret Santa going right after some food,” Chris said, taking Everly’s hand, bringing it to his mouth, pressing his lips to it.
“We’re watching your brother learn how to drink beer,” Rob said, his smile wide.
Wes glared at him. “I’m hungry.” He turned, walked toward the buffet table of finger sandwiches and appetizers.
Hailey joined him a moment later. “Are you really okay?”
Her shoulder brushed his; he nearly winced with the current that zipped through his bloodstream. It was the perfect storm. That’s all this was. Beautiful woman who made him laugh, had a little piece of his heart as a friend, and Christmas—the sappiest time of the year. Those things were working against him, making him feel things he didn’t. Then how do you explain that this isn’t the first time?
“I’m fine. Sorry. I just felt a bit off. That dress does look beautiful on you,” he said, loading his plate with little bacon-wrapped pastries.
When she put her hand on his arm, he stopped, turned toward her.
“They were teasing, you know.”
He swallowed past the rawness in his throat. “I know. I think you should believe what Everly said. Someone just wanted you to enjoy something you deserved.”
“I’m not sure what they think I might have done to deserve it. But I’ll stop wondering about the gift and just enjoy it.” Her gaze told him they both knew the truth and somehow it made him feel closer to her. Like her secret coded messages. IAU.
He smiled, his chest loosening. “Exactly.”
There. Tonight would be fine. She understood him. This wasn’t one of her movies—he’d sat through The Holiday and Love Actually the week before. He wouldn’t admit it to her but he’d enjoyed them both. He could enjoy them with her because she knew he wasn’t built for a ring on his finger and a white picket fence.
“Thanks for bringing me tonight,” she said, before picking up a small plate.
At least, with this, he could be honest. “There’s no one I’d rather be here with.”
* * *
Wes pulled up to Hailey’s building. She insisted he didn’t have to walk her to the door but he ignored her protests. He’d stopped after his shot and beer. Hailey and the other girls had carried on.