A Guide to Being Just Friends(87)

Biting her tongue, refusing to let the woman bait her, she simply nodded curtly then gave him an amount.

“Wes, you look upset. I thought you’d be happy to have Hailey get some business,” Ana said.

“Hailey’s business is none of your concern. This crosses a line, Ana.”

Murmurs started behind them as people came to choose salads.

“Jesus, Ana,” Aidan said under his breath, pulling several bills out of his wallet before passing them to Hailey. “What did you do?”

“I didn’t do anything. Other than attend an event with a date,” Ana said.

Wes’s cheeks went pink and Hailey felt horrible. He hated confrontation, scenes, being the center of attention. Stepping toward the door, knowing the others would move with her, she swallowed down the hurt and anger she felt.

“It wasn’t a date,” Wes said.

Hailey put a hand on his arm and he stepped closer, wrapping his arm around her shoulder. She looked at Ana, whose gaze was filled with empty satisfaction.

“This isn’t the time or place. And really, there’s nothing to discuss.” She waited until Ana looked at her. “I’ve done nothing to you. I’m sorry you feel slighted but you’re a strong, beautiful woman. I’m not sure what your goal tonight was but you’re better than this. Wes wasn’t with you. I didn’t steal him. It doesn’t matter if you get more friends to cancel their contracts with me, it won’t change anything. Do you even like Wes or is it just that he chose me?”

Shock widened Ana’s gaze.

“What contracts?” Wes looked at her.

“Goddamn it, Ana. Wes, Hailey, I’m sorry.” Aidan shoved his hands in his pockets.

Ana stiffened her shoulders. “I’m not sure what everyone is upset about. I ordered salads. You guys eat, she gets business. Win-win.”

Hailey nodded. “Keep telling yourself that. Thank you for your business. Aidan, nice to see you. Wes.” She took a second, not caring that Ana stood before her in a freaking designer pantsuit while she wore oil-stained jeans. Whatever else Hailey might be unsure of, she knew, without a doubt, Wes wanted to be with her. She ran her hand up Wes’s chest, into his hair, and kissed him. “I’ll see you at home.”

With that, she turned and left. Proud of herself, she waited until she was in the elevator to collapse against the wall and let out a string of swear words.





38


Wes’s pulse scrambled, like it was short-circuiting. The last time he’d been this mad was because of her ex. This time … it was Ana. When he saw Hailey walk into that room, his heart had leaped, scaring the hell out of him. He didn’t understand emotional games, didn’t play them, but he was smart enough to recognize them in the slyness of Ana’s smile.

When Hailey left, he’d had to fight the urge to quit on the spot. The guilt he carried over making one huge decision without his brothers was enough to stop him from doing it again. But he did make it clear to Ana that he’d never wanted her that way. It had always been business. Hailey was gone when he got to the parking lot so he’d headed home.

He could still picture her, standing tall, standing up for herself. She was amazing. He’d tried phoning her but got voicemail. Hopefully, she’d be at his home shortly after he arrived.

When he got there and let himself inside his apartment, he had visitors. Just not who he’d hoped.

“The keys were for emergencies,” Wes said to his brothers, putting his own key in its spot on the table by the door.

Noah and Chris were sitting on his couch, beer in hand, watching sports.

“Make yourselves at home,” he said, tucking his shoes in the closet, shrugging off his jacket. “Maybe it’s better you’re here. I need to talk to you guys.” Time to spill his guts. He’d thought he could help everyone along, smooth out all the red tape, then do a “big reveal,” but now it just felt like keeping secrets.

Chris looked at him but Noah practically snarled, “About fucking time. Better late than never, I guess?”

Chris sent Noah a warning look. “Knock it off.”

Something was up. He grabbed a beer of his own, started into the living room when the buzzer went for his apartment. “That’s Hailey.”

Noah started to swear, increasing Wes’s own irritation tenfold. “I don’t know what your problem is but hang on to it for a minute.” He buzzed Hailey in, meeting his brother’s gaze, glare for glare.

He opened the door in time to see Hailey step off the elevator. His rib cage shrank, making his breath tight. She looked gorgeous, with that auburn hair still slightly damp around her shoulders, a cute pair of patterned leggings, and a long off-the-shoulder gray shirt.

“Hi.” Her smile when she saw him made him feel ten feet tall. What was it about her?

Wes leaned in, overwhelmed with how happy he was to see her. He kissed her, pulled back, then leaned in for more. When he pulled back, she looked up at him with a confused, blinking gaze.

“Are you okay?” Her hand rested on his stomach.

“I should be asking you. I’m so sorry about earlier.”

She shook her head, moved around him to go in. “Not your fault. Oh. Hi, guys.”

Wes shut the door behind them and followed her into the living area. Both Chris and Noah stood, offered their spots. Hailey laughed, shook her head, and sat cross-legged on his huge ottoman, dropping her bag beside it on the floor.