A Guide to Being Just Friends(39)

Wes sat up. He was too full from dinner to eat his cake. “That’s great. What’s the new plan?”

She’d changed into a pair of loose sweatpants and a baggy sweater when they returned to his place. He’d suggested she bring them when he picked her up. That had been another one of those spark moments. She looked exquisite in that dress, but he liked it better when she wore what she did now. It put him at ease. Made it easier to think.

“I’ve been turning down some catering jobs because I’m always at the shop but with the Christmas season coming, it would be a great way to get some extra cash. I’m in a catch twenty-two. I can’t say yes to more work without help and I can’t hire help without securing more work. I’m going to interview Leo and say yes to some bigger jobs.”

His heart muscles tightened, squeezing him like one of Hailey’s all-in hugs. She was doing it. One salad at a time, she was building her business into what she’d imagined. “That’s fantastic. I can update your website so the delivery option is live. Have you considered a preorder app? Most restaurants have that now, especially with outside delivery services. It’s not a bad idea to hook up with one of those either. It would save you—”

Hailey held up a hand, set her half-finished cake down, the fork beside it. She took the pills with a long swallow of water. “Slow down. Geez. Were you just waiting to get all that out of your brain?”

He laughed, ran a hand through his hair. “Not really but they’re all excellent ideas. Business is about seizing opportunities and acting at the right moment.”

Her brows furrowed. “It’s also about not overextending myself so I don’t go under.”

“There are loans you can get. Actually, there are probably grants you’re eligible for, especially if you’re hiring local youth.” Hell, he could float her a loan.

She huffed out a breath. “I don’t want a loan.”

Excitement welled. She could push this to the next level easily. With a little help. “My brothers and I invest in businesses—”

“Wes. Stop.” Hailey shook her head and he realized her tone was clipped.

Sitting up straighter, he pressed his lips together tightly.

“I appreciate that you’re happy for me. I know you and your brothers could buy my store a million times over.”

“A million might be overstating it,” he said, dryly.

“I’m doing this.”

Her quiet smile and determination made his heart clench. His grandfather would have loved her. “I love that you and your brothers use your wealth for good. That you want to lift small businesses up. But I want to do this on my own or not at all. Plus, it’s not a good idea in this case.”

“Why?”

“Friendship and business don’t go hand in hand. You must know that. I’ll take the catering jobs. I might actually need two employees. I figure it’ll give me more flexibility with my own schedule if I hire two part-timers.”

“There’s no harm in taking a small loan to cover you. Especially when what you’re using it for will yield results and income.” Sure, business and friendship didn’t mix but Squishy Cat was created for this very thing. It was the essence of Chris’s plaque.

It startled him when she stood abruptly. She grabbed the plates. “I don’t need saving.”

Wes sucked in a breath, watching as she walked to the kitchen, set her plate in the sink. She was comfortable in his space. And he was comfortable with her in it. Another first. Maybe she was right. Some lines shouldn’t be crossed.

“I know that, Hailey.”

She sank back onto the couch and Wes shifted, unsure how to smooth things over. He’d meant to help. He felt intrinsically tied to her success or failure the way he would with … someone he cared a great deal about. Like Grace or Everly. She’s your friend.

His friend still looked irritated.

“Piper asked if you wanted to come for Thanksgiving dinner. They’re doing it early so they can go to Nick’s parents’. I said I’d ask.”

“That sounds nice. Does that mean you’re free on the actual day?”

She nodded. “Yup.” Still short.

“Good. You can join us at Noah’s.”

Hailey twisted her lips into a smirk. “Presumptuous.”

He laughed, picked up the remote. “I know Grace already invited you.”

She flopped back on the couch. “Argh. You know too many of my secrets.”

Wes didn’t comment. He scrolled through Netflix, not really registering anything. The tension between them was making his skin itch. He started to say what was on his mind, stopped.

“Are you mad?”

She turned her head, gave him half a smile. “No. I just don’t want you to think you can fix everything because you’re rich.”

“Ouch.”

“You’re my friend. You’re supposed to believe in me.”

He sat up, irritation of his own rising. “I do believe in you. Do you think I would put my money into something I thought would fail?”

“Your money has nothing to do with me. I don’t want it. I want your words of encouragement and support. I care about your opinion. I don’t care about your money.”

He didn’t know what to say about that. Wealth was part of who he was and yeah, it smoothed a lot of damn roads. Was it wrong that he wanted to make things easier for her?