Layers(42)

“I see.” He nods in confirmation. “When you’re done, drop by, okay?”

“I will, shortly.” I nod, echoing him. As I take the last bite of the salad I text Daniel.

Thanks a lot for lunch, chose the wrap—you spoil me D.

Daniel: I was just reciprocating after having you for lunch and, sweet H, I like spoiling you.

How can he do that, make me blush and squirm in my seat at the first part of the message and melt in the second.

~~~

“Josh, you asked me to come over,” I stand in his doorway, waiting.

“Come in, Hayley, and please sit.” He nods. “Can you go over these?” He hands me some ideas for pitching proposals.

“I would like you to choose the top three, disregard general concept style and go for content.”

“Certainly, I’ll do that right away. Anything else?”

“Well there is—”

The national anthem playing from the back pocket of my jeans makes him pause.

“What’s that?” Josh asks, looking at me baffled.

“That would be my phone.” I smile in discomfort.

“Nice tune. Original.” He chuckles. “You can go ahead and answer.”

“I’ll just check who it is,” I say timidly. There is no available number.

“Just answer, Hayley …”

“Hello,” I answer, feeling self-conscious under Josh’s securitizing gaze.

“Are you coming tonight?”

“Hey Daniel,” I say, and stare down at my sneakers, knowing that Josh will be listening to every single syllable coming out of my mouth now that he knows who it is.

“Are you coming tonight?”

“Can I call you later? I’m in a meeting.”

“Just answer, Hayley.” he snaps.

Come on Daniel, relax, don’t go all intimidating Mr. Stark on me, not now. I’m quickly becoming exasperated. Two can play this game. “No, I’m not. I gotta go now.”

“Hayley …” He sounds even more upset now.

“Later Daniel.” I hang up. I can sense the rush of blood flowing in my veins. I am upset and mad and confused, all at the same time. What are you doing to me, Daniel Stark?

“Everything okay?”

Oh, Josh! I forgot about him for a minute. “Ah, sure, everything’s fine.” I put on my best attempt at a smile. “You were saying something before we were interrupted?”

“I just wanted to tell you that I might want you to accompany me to a roadshow we’re having next month.”

“I don’t see any issue with that. Of course I will. Where is it?” My stare bores into a small dot on the wall behind him.

“Canada.”

“Canada?” I repeat and tear my gaze away to look at him.

“Yes, that country past the border? Famous for its maple trees and syrup?”

Does he expect me to answer right now? Sensing my uncertainty, he adds, “This is just a heads up. I’ll give you all the details once everything is finalized.”

“Oh, okay.” I put on a fake smile. “Anything else?” I raise my eyebrows inquisitively.

“No, that will be all. Thanks, Hayley.”

At my desk I try to review some of the designs Josh requested that I look at, but I’m too distressed. I am more than distressed. How can he get me to this state with just a phone call?

I need to cool down and distract myself from thinking about him. Focus. I need to finish this and go home.

~~~

As I get inside the car, his car, I get even more irritated. I should give him back the car as soon as possible. I turn up the music to max, letting Mumford and Sons occupy my thoughts instead.





Chapter 16: Knockout


“Honey I’m home.” I drop my keys into the bowl on the corridor chest and kick off my shoes.




“In here.”

I sigh with relief when I hear Tasha’s reply, glad I’ll be able to vent about my crappy mood. “I am so glad you’re here. You can’t imagine how upset I am with that psycho,” I say, pulling my hair up to a messy bun as I make my way to our kitchen.

“Hales …” Tasha tries to say something right when I reach her and Daniel. Oh f**k, what is he doing here? I flush.

“Hey,” Tasha greets me with a crooked I-didn’t-know-I-should-have-warned-you smile.

“Hey, Hayley,” Daniel says with a small, concerned twist of his mouth. All of a sudden when I see him I just want him to hold me tight, regardless of how I felt about him just moments ago.

“I’m going to have a bath, see you later.” Tasha passes by me and plants a kiss on my cheek on her way to the bathroom.

“So, you’re here,” I murmur, looking at Daniel, hoping my face is not revealing any of the emotions I have raging inside.

“I wanted to see you,” he says. His eyes settle on mine. “So, why are you upset with the psycho?” he asks, combing his fingers through his hair, leaving them there.

I stare at him, unsure. What do I tell you? That I am head over heels for you after the shortest time? That you drive me crazy in a way no one ever has before, that you are reckless and short tempered, that you turn from sweet and warm to mad and exasperated in no time, that you are overbearing? That I am deeply afraid to fall for you because I know you’ll shatter my heart into a million pieces?