“I should have brought you flowers,” he said to her back.
She turned, wine in hand. “Why? I have some.”
He laughed but cursed himself in his own head. “I still should have brought you some. Hopefully, my gift will make up for it.”
She shook her head like he was talking nonsense. Lowering herself to the blanket, she stared up at him. “There’s nothing to make up for. You’re here. It’s all I wanted.”
He nodded, glad she felt that way but grabbed the bag he’d brought before sitting down with her.
“Does that mean you don’t want your present or the treats from Tara’s?”
They both set their wine on her coffee table. She scooted closer, hands out. “If it’s chocolate, you know I want it.”
He pulled out the little box of heart-shaped mini brownies Tara had made. Hailey’s gaze widened. “Yum. Those look delicious.”
He nodded, opened the box, fed one to her. When she moaned with pleasure, his stomach tightened, his skin heating. “I think I’m jealous of a brownie.”
She laughed, coming closer so she could cuddle up to him. “You’re just as delicious.” She pressed her mouth to his, giving him a taste of the chocolate. Her hands went to his chest but he didn’t want to rush. She made him so happy. He wanted to show her he could do the same.
“There’s more,” he said, pulling back.
Her hands moved lower. “I certainly hope so.”
Wes laughed. “Stop for a sec. I want to give you your present.”
She shifted, frowned at him. “If you insist.”
Wes pulled the gift-wrapped box from the bag he’d carried the brownies in, handed it to Hailey, his heart thumping way too fast.
She took the box, looked up at him through lowered lashes. “What is it?”
He laughed. “Why do people always ask that?”
One of her shoulders lifted but she hesitated, her hand on the bow. “I only made you dinner.”
Wes cupped her cheek. “It smells incredible. I’m going to want to give you things, Hailey. I wouldn’t do anything I didn’t want to. Please just enjoy it.”
She smiled at him—a full Hailey smile—and there was no better gift she could give. Unwrapping the box, she hesitated again when she came to the blue box, running her fingers over the engraved lettering. Her breath hitched, her gaze darting up to his. She looked almost … wary. He frowned as she opened the box with what seemed like trepidation.
Inside the Tiffany box, the diamond bracelet was nestled in a soft silk cloth. She sucked in another sharp breath, her fingers touching it so delicately it was like she thought it would break.
When she looked up, her expression took him by surprise. “What is this?”
He smiled. “It’s a bracelet. Let me help you.” He reached for it but she shook her head, set the box down. “What’s wrong?”
“Wes. It’s been two weeks. You got me a diamond bracelet from Tiffany’s. I made you dinner and yeah, I bought you something, but it only fits me so really, we both benefit.”
Now he was curious but he’d have to wait. He did his best to keep his gaze focused on her face. “It’s just a bracelet. I wanted to buy you something pretty. Something that shines the way you do.”
“Flowers are pretty.”
Dammit. He knew he should have grabbed some. “I’m sorry about not bringing flowers.”
She shook her head again, this time getting to her feet. “No. Not flowers in addition. Flowers would have been fine. Nothing would have been fine.” She was pacing, putting wrinkles in the picnic blanket.
He stood up, stopped her with hands on her shoulders. “Talk to me. What’s wrong? If you don’t like it, it won’t hurt my feelings. We can take it back, exchange it. I have an account with the company. It’s Ari’s favorite store.”
Her shoulders sagged; he felt it under his hands. “I don’t need diamond jewelry. Where would I even wear it? Grocery shopping with you on a Saturday night? Jesus, Wes. That probably costs the same as my rent on the shop for a couple months.” She waved toward the kitchen. “I made you minestrone! I bought lingerie. That’s it.”
The word “lingerie” stuck in his head and clearly distracted him because when he moved his gaze back up, she was glaring at him, folding her arms across her chest.
“Sorry,” he said. “You can’t say ‘lingerie’ and not expect some distraction.”
One side of her mouth tipped up. “You won’t be seeing it until you tell me that you get it.” She stepped forward, putting her hands on his chest. “I care about you. Not your money. In fact, the money thing is a deterrent, if you want the truth.”