A Guide to Being Just Friends(86)

Hailey bit her tongue. Oh, she’d jumped and landed. But that didn’t mean she and Wes would be advancing their relationship that soon. If she knew him, and she was pretty sure she did, he’d have a carefully designed schedule for where their relationship was headed. And because what Grace said was true—she did love him—she wasn’t entirely sure she was ready to unearth his plans. Because what if they were entirely different than the dreams she envisioned when she slept beside him at night?

“Trust me, the only thing I did with my head when I met Noah was butt it against his,” Grace said with a scoff.

“I can attest to that,” Rosie added.

The women entertained her with stories of Noah and Grace becoming neighbors. By the time she went back to the shop, she felt like she was floating. There was something incredibly empowering about having a group of women in her life who cared about her happiness and success. Women who realized that hers didn’t impact theirs. She’d wanted so much to dish about Wes but it didn’t feel right. He was private and more reserved than his brothers. What they had was theirs.

Leo was sweeping the floor when she returned. Bryce was wiping down tables. The pounding upstairs continued.

“Hey guys. How’d closing go?” She locked the door behind her.

“Good. It was busy today,” Bryce said. “There was a phone call about a possible dinner delivery tonight. You had nothing else on the calendar so I said yes.”

Leo looked up. His dark hair had grown long enough to fall over one eye. “We were going to make the salads after we do this then Bryce said he can deliver.”

“You guys finish up here. I’ll take care of the orders and delivery.”

“You sure?” Bryce asked.

She nodded. “Of course. If I haven’t told you guys already, you’re doing an awesome job and I’m so glad to have you guys working here.”

Both of the boys sort of ducked their heads, averted their eyes, and mumbled something appreciative and complimentary in response.

Hailey laughed, washing her hands before pulling on her apron. “Mushy moment over. Finish up and get out of here.”

It didn’t take long to make the salads despite the order being for twenty. They’d only ordered two types. She wasn’t sorry she’d let the catering jobs go but she was surprised by how many companies wanted the convenience of take-out for their employees. Pleasantly surprised. She packed up the orders, loaded them in her SUV, and dialed Wes on the way to the business section of town.

“I was just thinking of you,” Wes said into the phone.

Happiness warmed her skin. “That’s nice to hear.”

“I’m just about to head into a meeting. Did you want to come by later?” She heard muted sounds in the background.

“Absolutely. I just have a delivery then I’m heading home. Maybe call me when you’re done?”

“Sounds good.”

Hanging up, she was grateful for time to go home, shower, and change. She’d spilled olive oil on her jeans when the container slipped while she was making dressing. Fortunately, they were mostly work jeans so she wasn’t too worried that the stain was unlikely to come out. She pulled into the large, nondescript parking lot. It was one of those multibusiness places. Bryce’s instructions said second floor, 217. A security guard saw her coming and held the door for her.

“Thank you,” she said, giving him an appreciative smile.

“No problem. Where you headed?” He walked toward the elevator, glancing at her.

“217.”

He nodded, pressed the up arrow. “CoreTech.” He pointed to the ceiling then stretched his arm out. “Get out, turn right, go down to the end of the hall.”

Hailey hoped her face gave nothing away but as she stepped onto the elevator, her stomach cramped uncomfortably. It was a coincidence. That’s all. Ana may not even have placed the order. If she did, she’d have no way of knowing that Hailey would deliver herself.

The tub of salads felt unsteady in her hands. The elevator doors opened. She took an extra second to take a deep breath, let it out. She turned right and walked down the hall. When she reached the end, the glass door was open. There was no one at the reception but Hailey caught sight of a windowed room with several people around a table. Ana caught her gaze through the glass, smiled, and opened the door.

“Dinner as promised, guys. Come on in, Hailey.”

Hailey gritted her teeth, walked past Ana, set the box down on a side table near a mounted whiteboard with information written all over it. She turned, ready to leave, when she saw Wes. He stood from the end of the table and hurried toward her.

Looking at Ana, she wasn’t surprised to see a look of satisfaction on the woman’s face. She’d seen it many times in her life, particularly when she lived with Dorian.

Wes approached, put a hand on her arm. Ana turned before he could say anything.

“Aidan, can you pay the salad girl, please. Don’t forget to add a tip.” She turned to Hailey. “Thank you so much for coming all this way. My brother will take care of the bill.”

Ana’s brother joined them. Hailey could feel Wes seething beside her. Tension emanated off him like steam from a boiling pot. Aidan frowned at his sister.

“Hailey. Lovely to see you again,” he said, taking in the scene before him. To his credit, he sent his sister an unfriendly look.