A Guide to Being Just Friends(49)

She sat on the couch with Wes but left a bit of space between them. Every now and again, she’d sit too close or inhale too deeply. Something would shift inside of her. Like she’d moved from perfectly fine to longing without warning. It was disturbing because most of the time, she didn’t look at him like that.

Wes glanced at her, clearly biting back a smile or laughter or both. “I don’t know if I could eat a turkey, or any animal, I had to catch.”

Morty stood up, shook his head. “That’s because kids these days are too soft.” He looked at Hailey. “Not you, darlin’. You could probably wrangle a turkey with one hand and a smile.”

She wasn’t sure if that was a compliment. “I can honestly say I’ve never tried.”

When he walked past them, going into the house, both Wes and Hailey laughed.

“You okay? How was your walk?”

The ocean air wafted around them with a hint of the fire. It smelled like happiness and warmth.

“It was good. I can’t believe you guys played football after that meal.”

“It’s more fun that way,” Wes said, his smile morphing into a more serious expression. “I’m sorry about earlier.”

“I know. Me too. I shouldn’t be so defensive.”

“I shouldn’t be so pushy.” He looked like he wanted to say more.

“No, you shouldn’t,” she said, keeping her lips flat.

Wes laughed, knowing she was joking.

“I didn’t think you’d forgive me so easily. I had a whole thing planned,” Wes said.

“Oh yeah? Maybe I’m still mad.” She grinned at him.

His laugh was sort of like the breeze and the warmth. It cocooned her, made her grateful for one more thing.

“We can do it in the car.”

“Excuse me?”

He laughed. “Keep it clean, Sharp. You’ll see.”

They said their goodbyes with hugs and promises of seeing each other soon. Grace and Everly were coming into the shop next week after some shopping. They’d invited her along on a shopping trip but Hailey needed to check her calendar. Her catering events plus the increase of traffic at the store and training her two employees—that’s right, she had two staff members—were time-consuming.

In the truck, she did her best to wait him out. She leaned her head against the seat, all breezy and nonchalant. He adjusted the stereo, checked all his mirrors, double-checked the heat settings before finally backing out of the drive. Once they were on their way, he chatted about the traffic, the meal, and the games.

“You’re killing me,” she finally said, looking at his profile. The moon was shining through the window, illuminating his sharp jaw and just slightly crooked nose. He had a good face. A good heart. He called her on her stubbornness but he had a healthy amount, too.

“It’s been five minutes,” he said.

“Since we left, yeah. But like, twenty since you said anything.”

“You’re such a kid sometimes.”

“Says the person who plays video games every Saturday morning, in pajamas, after eating a massive bowl of cereal.”

“Fair point. Open my phone. Fiona texted me her quiz.”

She nearly squealed but stopped herself. “For real?” She grabbed his phone from the console between them, punching in his ridiculously long password. There was security and then there was Wes.

“I thought you were really mad at me.”

She couldn’t help her laugh. “If being mad at you would have got you to do one of her quizzes before, I would have lied.”

“No lying. It’s in the guide.”

“I don’t remember seeing that specifically.” She pulled up the text.

“Trust me, it’ll be there the next time you look.”

She laughed. “Shush. Here it is. What kind of friend are you? Looks like we’ll end up being margaritas, highballs, craft beer, or wine.”

“I’m on the edge of my seat.”

His blend of teasing and sarcasm didn’t faze her. She read each of the questions, trying to downplay how much fun she was having. Fiona was not only adorable but brilliant to come up with this. Hailey loved it! She should get her friend to do one of these things with what type of salad a person would be.

“Your friend is late. Do you order their favorite drink, text them to hurry up, or bring it up the next time you’re mad?”

Flipping the blinker switch, he sent her a quick glance. “Bring it up the next time you’re mad?”

“Careful.”

He switched lanes. “Fine. Order their drink. FYI, you’re late all the time.”

She grinned. “And not once have you had my drink waiting for me.”

“I feel so much shame.”

Giddy laughter escaped, made better when Wes joined in. “Okay. Your friend is wearing a color they shouldn’t. You tell them, suggest a top you love as an alternative, or say nothing.”

“I can’t picture saying either of the first two so I guess, say nothing.”

“I’m putting suggest a top I love.”

He sent her another glance, this time with one eyebrow perfectly arched. “I won’t wear anything you suggest.”

The traffic seemed to come to a stop. Hailey angled herself against the door and the seat so she could face Wes a bit better.