He shakes the man’s hand, and the man enters the elevator we vacated. “Harper. Alyssa. What are you doing here?”
“Nice to see you too, Hayden,” Harper says teasingly.
“I mean—”
“What you’re really trying to say is ‘What is Alyssa doing here?’” I cross my arms over my chest. “Don’t worry. I’m not here to see you. I came to help Harper with Avery.” To Harper, I say, “I’ll wait for you here.” Taking a seat in the waiting area, I pick up a magazine on the side table next to my chair and flick through the pages. Trying to ignore how good Hayden looks in a damn suit.
“You can come with me if you’d like,” Harper says as her gaze flicks between Hayden and me with concern creasing her brows. Does she think I’m going to blast him in Alessi’s reception?
“I’m fine here. I can take care of Avery while you look at the sample,” I offer.
“That’s okay, thanks.” She brushes the top of Avery’s head with her hand. The baby is strapped to Harper’s chest with some kind of wrap.
“Take your time.”
When Harper leaves, I’m hoping Hayden will follow. Instead, he stands next to my chair. I don’t have to glance up to know he’s staring at me. I can feel warm tingles along my skin. After a moment of silence, I look up at him. His dark hair is falling over his forehead, his face hard and expressionless. God, he’s beautiful. Too bad he has a stone-cold heart.
“Can I help you?” I ask.
“You didn’t answer my call last night.”
“You called?” I play dumb.
“Yes, you know I did.”
“I’m sorry, there was a call from an unidentifiable number, was that you?” I widen my eyes with mock surprise.
He frowns. “I texted you too.”
“Yeah, that I chose to ignore.” I glance back at the magazine and flip the page so hard I’m shocked it didn’t rip.
He slides his hands into his pants pockets. “Can you come into my office so we can talk?”
“There’s nothing to talk about. You said everything you needed to last night. If you need to add anything, you can tell me here.”
He blows out a frustrated breath. Lowering his voice, he says, “Do you want me to discuss what went on between us with an office full of staff overhearing?”
Glancing up at him, I shrug my shoulders. “Sure, let’s fill them in.” God, I’m being such a bitch. The situation stings more than I’d like.
“Please.” The word and the pleading way he says it, slices through me.
Closing the magazine, I slap it on the table next to me and rise. “Fine. Let’s get this over with.” The thought of rehashing last night’s humiliating events makes my stomach churn.
He leads me to his office. The walls in the hallways are covered in glossy pictures of celebrities and royalty wearing gorgeous Alessi Fashion gowns. I can only dream of owning one of their designs. Thanks to my best friend, I can always borrow something from her closet.
Hayden’s office is modern and sleek, overlooking central park. A photo of Lily on his desk is the only personal touch in the sterile-looking room.Matches his personality.
“Would you like to take a seat?” He points to a black leather sofa near the window.
“I’ll stand.” Suddenly I’m feeling nervous. Every time we’ve been alone in a room together, something sparks between us, and we do something that he obviously regrets.
Like he is thinking the same thing, he slides his hands in his pockets and keeps his distance. “You went home in nothing but a robe.”
“Yes, so?”
“In. A. Bathrobe.” He spits each word out like he’s pissed.
I cock an eyebrow. “What’s your point?”
