Okay, that was overstating the whole Seth thing since she didn’t plan on going out with him again because it just wasn’t there between them. But Wes didn’t need to know that.
“Also, I’m busy this Saturday, so I would have had to bail anyway.”
A couple customers came through the door. Dolly greeted them with her enthusiastic hello.
“Hailey.”
She turned back to face Wes.
“What?”
“I’ll see you tonight?”
What he meant was, “We’re okay, right?” She sighed. For all his confidence and compartmentalizing, he was surprisingly in need of reassurances that they were all right. That their friendship would remain intact. Unharmed. Hailey was starting to wonder how much of that was about his feelings for her as opposed to his need for consistency and routine.
“We’re fine, Wes.”
Do what makes you happy. Maybe she needed to take a closer look at her own intentions. Because something had shifted when they kissed. It couldn’t be undone. Pretending it hadn’t mattered to her was not bringing her any happiness.
31
Wes tugged at his tie. When had the damn things become so uncomfortable? Maybe it wasn’t the tie. More likely, it was that he’d agreed to escort Ana to this stupid party tonight. He hated this sort of thing: the false smiles, weak handshakes, pretending people mattered who didn’t. Everyone here was looking for that one connection that would mean their big break.
“I think I should have offered you more than a drink before we left,” Ana said, her hand tightening on his arm. Her pink nails looked brighter against the black of his tux. What the hell was he doing in a tux in the California heat?
Trying to feel a spark for someone who won’t pull you into a rabbit hole of emotion. There had to be a happy in-between. Something in the middle of cordial arrangement and all-consuming lust. He hadn’t stopped wanting a partner—someone he could talk to, laugh with, rely on. But it needed to be someone who wouldn’t make him lose sight of his own goals, his own needs. What he needed was to fall for someone who wouldn’t rip him to shreds when they walked away. Saying yes to Ana wasn’t a reflex after finding out Hailey was still dating Seth. At least, he told himself it wasn’t. Getting pretty good at lying to yourself.
“Sorry. It’s been a while since I wore a tux.” He smiled at her. She was beautiful. She could have easily been one of the actresses or models that her company catered to. She fit in easily with them in her silk blue gown, her hair tucked into a clip that sparkled with real diamonds. She’s not Hailey. The thought sucker punched him.
Laughter floated around them like the candles in the pool. Lights were strung across it, people hovered in small groups. Tall tables with long white linens were artfully placed around the patio. Delicious food in tiny portions sat untouched because most people at these things didn’t want to be caught with their mouth full.
Ana turned to him so they were facing each other, very little space between them. In her heels, she was the same height so it was easy to see the heat in her gaze. Heat he didn’t feel anywhere other than the back of his neck because of this freaking tux.
“It’s been a long time since I helped a man out of one. But I’d be happy to try when we leave.”
Well. That was forward. He stared at her, willed himself to feel something for this woman. In his mind, as far as his heart and emotions were concerned, Ana was perfectly safe. He could fall into this relationship and not break when it was over. Not turn into an asshole like his father had after his mother had left. He’d be able to pick up and move on.
Yet, instead of jumping at the offer, which held no appeal for him—she isn’t Hailey—he stopped her hand from playing with his tie. Gripping it, he removed it from his chest, shaking his head.
“That’s not where this is going between us, Ana.”
Anger and color rose in her cheeks but he couldn’t lead her on. Wouldn’t.
“I need the restroom,” Wes said, stepping back. Weaving through the crowd, he headed for the house. The sprawling estate belonged to a beloved Hollywood starlet who had a niece trying very hard to follow in her aunt’s footsteps. Throwing this awards gala tonight had been a surefire way to gather some of the most well-known and up-and-coming stars in one place. Life was all about connections. In this setting, Wes felt zero. In this crowd, he was completely untethered.
Wes stepped through the oversized open French doors, the tux becoming more uncomfortable with every step.