A Guide to Being Just Friends(51)

A couple sat by the window. The three girls he’d helped giggled on their way to a corner table. Hailey’s heart was full.

“Hey,” Leo said.

“Hey yourself. What are you making?” She watched him chop a variety of vegetables, taking longer than she should have to realize they all had something in common. They were either red or green.

He grinned at her, grabbing a large cup. “The Santa Salad. What do you think?”

Hailey walked closer. He’d chosen a bed of butter lettuce, followed by diced red pepper, green pepper, tomatoes, snap peas, radish, cucumber, red onion and a sprinkling of feta cheese.

“This is beautiful. I love it,” she said, holding it up to turn it when he finished layering. Some of the veggies were more expensive this time of year, like the snap peas, but she didn’t want to diminish his creativity or enthusiasm. It was another of those tricky situations: they cost more to make, but customers loved specialty items so they sometimes sold better than other menu items.

“For real?” The guarded expression on his face tugged at her heartstrings.

She poured a light vinaigrette with a hint of spice over it, took a few bites. “Absolutely for real. We’ll put it on the menu as a December special. I’m really glad you’re here, Leo.”

“Thanks, Ms. Sh— Hailey. I love it here.”

The couple by the window stood, waving as they left. They held the door open for Wes as he walked through.

“Hey, Wes. Want a Santa Salad?” Leo called.

The girls in the corner looked Wes’s way then went back to their animated conversation, showing each other their phones.

Hailey smiled as Wes approached the counter. “Good afternoon.” He looked so good in a suit, like they were specially cut to fit his body. They probably are. He didn’t wear them as often anymore. His usual attire included polo shirts and jeans or button-ups and jeans. He looked just as good in jeans.

One side of his mouth quirked up. “Is it formal day?”

She laughed. “You’re the one in the suit, you tell me.”

“Just a regular day. How’s it going, Leo? What’s a Santa Salad?”

Leo shot her a look to which she gave a subtle nod. “It’s a salad I just made up. It’s red and green veggies with feta cheese.”

She saw the pride in Wes’s gaze when he looked at Leo.

“Nice job. I will definitely try one.”

“On it.” Leo got busy making another salad.

“What’s with the suit?” He looked damn good with his hair tousled a bit differently, making her wonder if he’d actually styled it today instead of just running his fingers through it.

“Meeting in about an hour. Thought I’d stop in here for lunch first.”

“What’s the meeting for?”

“The community center.”

Leo looked up. “When are we doing the fundraiser?”

“That’s part of what I’ll be discussing today. We’re trying to hire a board of directors.”

“Why? Don’t you, your brothers, Rob, and Ms. Lee run everything?”

Hailey listened, curious about the answer. Wes unbuttoned the front of his suit. “Ms. Lee is the director. The rest of us are volunteers. We’ll have more of a pull and impact with the community if we have a board. We’ll be able to ask for different funding, get more resources. They’ll research options and make decisions that benefit the greatest number of people so we can continue focusing on working with the kids and people who show up.”

Leo mumbled something, shrugging his shoulders. “Just don’t let them get rid of the three-on-three tournament.”

Wes laughed, looked at Hailey. “How’s your day so far?”

“Pretty good. I was going through my very large calendar—thanks for that, it takes up half my wall back there.”

“So you don’t miss anything.”

“I won’t miss the fact that I now have nine regular weekly orders for lunches at various businesses. Between you, your family, Fiona, and Piper, I’m getting referrals everywhere. People love the convenience of having something healthy brought in. Rob placed an order for double what he’s been getting for January because he says it’s his busiest month.”

“Right. Resolutions.”

Leo put Wes’s salad on top of the plexiglass. “Here you go.”

Wes’s gaze widened. “Looks delicious.” She hoped Leo recognized his tone as genuine.

“On the house,” Hailey said when he reached for his wallet.

He frowned at her but she held up her hand to ward off his words. “Stop. Consider it a thank-you for suggesting Leo.”

“Can you sit for a few minutes?” he asked.

She came around the counter, smiling at the girls who were packing up their things to leave. She was about to sit across from Wes when the bell jingled. Her greeting got stuck in her throat when Ana Pergo walked through the door. Her blonde hair was pulled back in a striking knot that accentuated her elegant features. She looked like a modern Grace Kelly. Her smile when she saw Hailey blossomed into a full-wattage grin when she looked at Wes. An uncomfortable prickle of jealousy weaved its way between each of Hailey’s ribs.

“Wes! What a happy surprise. Hello again, Hailey.”