A Guide to Being Just Friends(71)

Careful what you wish for.





30


February

Hailey didn’t like the word “resolution.” Instead, when the new year started, she’d written an “aspiration” on a little note card and tucked it into the pocket of her purse.

The difference between the two words, in her mind, was one was inflexible—like a grand declaration with no substance. The other, the word she’d chosen, was a wish. A good intention. She was hopeful that she’d achieve the outcome but wouldn’t beat herself up if she didn’t.

Do what makes you happy. That was her wish. In light of that, she hit send on the email reply turning down the latest catering job.

Her heart beat heavy, rattling her ribs. She reminded herself that even with a few days of post-Christmas lull, she’d been busier than ever. She couldn’t keep splitting her attention. The app Wes had designed for her for Christmas was a major hit and pushed her sales up dramatically.

“Why do you look worried, dear?” Dolly carried a large rectangular bucket of smaller tubs filled with veggies she’d just cut. She put them into their holders in the counter.

Hailey closed her laptop, pushed it to the side of the counter, and washed her hands, donned her apron. “Not worried. Just hoping I made the right choice.”

“About anything in particular?” The older woman had dyed a chunk of her white hair pale purple. It was a striking contrast that few could pull off. Dolly managed with flair. Hiring her had been one of the best things Hailey had done and not just for the business. Being with Dolly was like having a doting grandparent with a bit of a wild side hanging around. She had fun stories and a lot of wisdom that only came with age and experience. As someone who didn’t have many adults in her life growing up, Hailey had a soft spot for the woman.

“I turned down a catering job.” Saying it out loud made her second-guess herself.

“Good. You’re too busy to be running all over the place trying to meet everyone’s needs. You keep saying every side job is the last one. It’s time for that to be true or you’ll wear yourself out. You have a successful shop right here. Focus on that.”

Dolly didn’t mince words. Hailey patted her shoulder. “That’s the idea. I still have the one this Saturday. It’ll be the real last.” An old “friend” of a “friend” had recommended Hailey to an actress hosting a pre-awards party. Or, as she’d called it, a gala.

“How’s it going with that charming young man?” Dolly set the empty tub on the counter, grabbed an apron.

She’d gone on two dates with Seth since Christmas. She hadn’t told anyone other than Fiona because Piper was too invested. She liked Seth. He was very nice. He’d kissed her once and all she’d been able to think about after was how Wes may have ruined her for any other man’s kisses.

It was no good trying to get Wes’s kiss out of her brain either. It was permanently engraved in the memory bank. Every single nanosecond of it. She was probably making too much out of a kiss. They’d gone back to normal, like nothing had happened, the day after the party. Mostly.

“Seth is fine. I think you and Piper are more enamored with him than I am.” When he’d shown up for dessert on Christmas evening, it should have been awkward but she’d found herself at ease with him. He was funny, kind, and good-looking. When he’d asked her to dinner, she said she’d think about it. Being with Wes, realizing he didn’t have any lingering thoughts about their kiss that she could tell, pushed her to say yes. Because the best way to move forward was to move on.

“Well, he’s not interested in either of us so if he doesn’t make your blood heat, your heart pound, and your head spin, don’t waste your time, my dear. Life is shorter than all you young people think.”

Hailey thought about that while she switched the CLOSED sign to OPEN. Wes made her body do those things. Seth didn’t. End of story. What she needed to do now was get over these feelings for her best friend and put him back in his clearly labeled box. As he’d done with her.

Wes was a master at compartmentalizing. He’d shoved Hailey back into the friend box with ease, then put that box at the back of all the others, tucked safely out of his way. She knew this because, after their Christmas, he was extra careful not to touch her, not to sit too close. Not to breathe her in. Except for that moment he did when she hugged him and she’d wanted so much more than she’d ever get from him.

“I’m going to focus on my store. My family. My friends. The only blood heating I’m interested in is that spice blend you put on my Fajita Cup. Are you ever going to share the recipe?”

Dolly gave her a fun smile. One that warned Hailey what was coming. “If you use it, do I get a percentage of those sales?”

Hailey laughed. Dolly was so much savvier than she wanted anyone to believe. Confident the recipe would sell, Hailey made a mental note to ask Nick about an accountant.

Because she enjoyed going back and forth with this woman, Hailey lifted her chin playfully. “Sure. Four percent on each cup.”

Dolly leaned against the counter, tapping a bright-blue nail to her chin. “Fifteen.”

Hailey laughed, crossing her arms over her chest. “Eight.”

“Ten.”

Exactly what she’d hoped. “Done.”