A Guide to Being Just Friends(56)

He nodded, still smiling. “Noted. No purses.”

Not what she meant but good enough.

Hailey did her best to swallow down the question that kept trying to pop out of her mouth. As she looked at gorgeous trinkets without seeing them, she finally asked, “How was last night?”

He picked up a blue wallet, similar to the color of the purse she’d put down. “It was fine. What I thought it would be. I met clients, made small talk. I did get a chance to talk to someone who’s worked with my father recently. That was an interesting conversation.”

Hailey swallowed around the thickness in her throat. He didn’t sound overly enamored. It’s none of your business. But it is. You’d ask if it were Fiona. Friends ask questions. Friends are all about the details. “Will you go out with her again?”

Wes was staring at her, that little V forming between his brows. “No. Not like I think you mean. Do you not like Ana?”

Hailey put her hand on her chest, like she could push back the guilt. “Me? Of course. Why wouldn’t I?” Way to sound chill.

Wes’s brows arched. “I’m not sure.”

Hailey tried to laugh it off as they walked to the register. “Ana is great. You guys look fantastic together.”

He gave her another strange look. “Just what I’m looking for in a partner, someone who looks good at my side.” His tone was dry but he was still looking at her like he didn’t understand something.

Join the club. I don’t understand me right now either. “Speaking of dates,” she said too loudly. “I have one Friday night.” Why? Why did you say that?

His gaze darted past her head, his jaw giving a subtle twitch. “That’s great,” Wes said. For one millisecond, she thought maybe he was questioning their status as well but then he looked at her and smiled. His real smile.

There you go. He’s happy for you. Because friendship is all there is between you two. Which was perfect because it was all she wanted.

“Thanks. We’re going to Finnegan’s.”

“I’ve heard great things. Who is he?”

They moved forward in the line. “He works with my cousin’s husband.”

Wes paid for his purchases, took his bags. They walked out, heading toward the food fair because Hailey wanted a drink. She turned her head, watching his profile as they walked. His jaw was tight. Was he holding back? Was she? Why was she so confused right now? She’d gotten so good at reading him but right now, he was a closed book.

“I think it’s good you’re dating,” Wes said as she sipped the soda he’d insisted on buying.

He sounded like he meant it but the usual spark in his eyes, the one that made them look like shimmering ocean water, was missing. “It’s just a dinner.”

Wes shrugged. The Wes she knew was not a shrugger. He was a perfect-posture kind of man. “That’s how it starts, isn’t it?”

She shrugged, mimicking him. “I’m not sure I know anymore.” If that’s true, he had dinner with Ana last night. Maybe he’s just trying to be discreet or maybe it’s really none of your business.

He pressed his soda to hers but didn’t smile when he said, “To new beginnings.”

Hailey blinked too many times in a row. She didn’t want to begin again. She wanted to keep going exactly the way they were. She’d been so worried about falling in love again, about being left, she hadn’t considered that not all friendships lasted either. That won’t be true for us. We’ll add it to the guide. Our friendship stays strong even when we find our people.

She huffed out a breath, pasted on a smile. “Who’s next on your list?”

“My mom. I’m going to get her an iPad.”

Hailey shook her head. “I’m so glad we set a limit.”





23


Wes looked around the space. Vaulted ceilings, gorgeous windows that looked out at hillsides of other homes.

“This place is fantastic,” Wes said.

“What do you think?” Noah asked Chris.

“It’s beautiful. I love it.”

“You could buy it, give it to Everly for Christmas,” Noah said, slapping a folded flyer against his hand.

Chris laughed. “Are you out of your mind?”

Noah looked over at Wes for backup. “It’d be totally romantic, right? A house? That’s an epic fucking gift.”

“No, Noah. It’s something two people buy together. I can’t buy a home without letting Everly see it.”

Noah folded his arms across his chest. “Ahh. So you just don’t know what she likes, huh?”

Wes chuckled, wandering the hardwood floors, loving the open concept between the kitchen and living areas.

“You’re an idiot. How did you get Grace to fall in love with you?” Chris wandered the kitchen, running his hand over the granite countertop.

“Looks, charm. I’m basically the whole package.”

Chris stopped, looked at Wes. “What do you think? Buy a woman a house as a gift?” His lips quirked like he was trying not to laugh.

“Hailey wouldn’t even let me buy her a purse.” His chest tightened with how naturally he’d made the comparison. What he had with Hailey was obviously very different than what his brothers had. Especially since she’d all but told him he and Ana were picture-perfect. The words made his jaw ache. “I think Everly would kill you. For that matter, Grace would do the same.”