A Guide to Being Just Friends(70)

“Don’t mess with me, honey. My heart isn’t as young as it used to be,” Dolly said, giving her a sassy smile.

Hailey laughed. “I’m not messing with you. Bryce and Leo are great but I’d love to designate one of them to deliveries, which means I need more counter help.”

“How about the catering? How’s that going?” Everly asked.

He saw her mouth tighten but no one else seemed to notice. “It’s getting harder to split my time. I’ve got a couple more scheduled that I need to do. The side work helps with the rent increase but I don’t enjoy it. The shop is everything I wanted.” She gave a “what can you do” shrug.

Wes glanced at his brothers. He wanted that property more than he’d wanted any acquisition in a while. He couldn’t help wondering if that was because he saw its potential or because of the woman sitting next to him. It’s okay if it’s both.

“Well, I would be happy to accept a job at your shop,” Dolly said.

“Excellent. We’ll exchange information and get you set up for training.”

They chatted back and forth a bit more before Grace clapped her hands together. “Present time.”

Noah laughed, kissed the side of her neck, agreeing with her.

It wasn’t until later that evening, when he was dropping her back at her place, that he and Hailey exchanged gifts. He hadn’t wanted to do it in front of everyone else. He’d spent the last three weeks working all the kinks out of the app he’d created for her store.

On her couch, in the dim glow of her Christmas tree lights, she stared at it, pressing the options, squealing with excitement every time something popped up. “I cannot believe you made this. How will I know when someone orders something?”

Her legs were crossed but she was bouncing on the couch, making his weight shift. He laughed, explaining how he’d connect it to her server and computer at the store.

“It’ll print out the orders. You’ll designate a pickup spot, just like other restaurants. You have the extended options of having them pay in advance. It’ll take some time to get used to it but it’s got a lot of capability.”

Without warning, she threw her arms around him, her phone still in hand. She smelled like Christmas cookies and Hailey. He hugged her back, his chest tightening as his heart beat harder.

He’d already accepted the fact that she was an important part of his life, that he was more attached to her, even as a friend, than he’d planned. But when she was close like this, he wanted more. He wanted to keep holding her and forget all his worries. He wanted to fully immerse himself in her and forget it was in his genetics to fail in this particular area of life. Your brothers didn’t. They hadn’t seen the full depths of what he had.

It was more difficult than he imagined to pretend they hadn’t kissed. To not relive it constantly. They’d made the right decision. They were friends. No matter how she looked at him sometimes.

“I’m glad you like it,” he said, stroking a hand down her hair. It was so soft, smelled so good.

Hailey leaned back, her hands resting on his shoulders. Their faces were close enough that they shared the same air. Their eyes locked. He had a flash of watching the first of a series of rom-coms together—When Harry Met Sally. What had Harry said about being with the person you wanted around for good? Sure, he meant it in a romantic sense and that wasn’t them but he wanted Hailey with him. By his side. He wanted to see her succeed, share that success with her. She was the only person he’d let see into his soul with his art.

Though, he hadn’t known she looked so deep. The framed print of a colored version of one of his sketches was still sitting on her coffee table.

“What are you thinking about?” she whispered, brushing his hair to the side.

Wes bit back the groan trying to escape. He liked her fingers in his hair. “I love my Christmas gift, too.”

She dropped her hands, sank back into her seat as she looked at it. “I didn’t want to cross a line. I know your art is personal but between that and the app, Wes, you’re selling yourself short.”

He ran a hand through his hair, trying to shake off the tingle of awareness lingering from her touch.

“I’m working on a number of other things right now. I love this picture. I love that you had someone ink it and you framed it. It’ll remind me I have an outlet when things are difficult. But that’s all it is, Hailey. Just like kickboxing for Chris or surfing for Noah.” He thought about his brothers telling him to do what he loved. What was stopping him?

She nodded. He could see in her gaze that she accepted his words, his reasoning. She wouldn’t push but that didn’t mean she believed in him any less. Yeah. He wanted to start his year with her by his side. Clearing his throat, he tried to think of how to phrase it to make sure there were no mixed signals.

“I was wondering if you wanted to spend New Year’s together. We could have dinner, hang out. Maybe watch some movies?”

Hailey unfolded her legs, set her phone down on the table. “That sounds really nice. I wish you’d asked sooner.”

“Why? You have a date?” He grinned.

She looked at him, the answer clear in her gaze. His stomach sank at the half smile she offered.

“I do.”

Well. How about that. No need to worry about mixed signals. Her going out with another man—and he was pretty sure he knew who—was loud and clear.