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Chapter 21
Grace
It’sbeenalmostaweek since I left Cash’s bed. I gave myself one night to cry over the end of us and then threw myself into my next client. Nothing I say or do can change the reality of my situation with Cash. There’s too much hurt there. Too much pain.
“You do realize you look edible tonight?” Hayden whispers into my ear as we walk into the restaurant.
Turning back, I offer him a stern glare. He knows how much I hate compliments. Or at least ones that are said with heat in them. “Stop.”
He chuckles softly against my hair as his hand guides me forward. We don’t even stop to check in with the hostess; it seems the entire world just bends at his whim. The woman leads us to the back where candles line the table and a dozen roses sit in the center.
“Enjoy your dinner,” she says before leaving us alone, but I see the way she eyes Hayden. He’s eye candy for sure in his suit which pulls across his muscular chest and the smile he gives everyone who even looks in his direction. He is fun personified, and over the past few weeks, he’s helped me pick up my broken heart more times than I can count.
“She’s interested,” I tease.
“I’m not,” he replies without even looking up.
I roll my eyes. He makes for an impossible client. Not that he really is one. I keep trying to match him with everyone we meet because I want him to be happy. He’s done so much for me, I just want to return the favor.
“White or red tonight?”
That’s another thing Hayden and I both enjoy. Wine. God, I’m glad he’s not into whiskey even though it’s his family business. Hayden has been looking into wineries in Europe, and I love the idea of that for him. Although, I already know I’ll miss him when he goes back to London for Christmas. A winery would take even more time away from here.
“Red,” I reply, as I glance down at the steaks on the menu. I’ve already decided I’ll be having the porterhouse. And the lobster mac and cheese as a side. Hayden will share with me. That’s another thing I love about him. He lets me order whatever I want, and he eats it with as much excitement as I do.
Once we’ve placed our orders and the wine has been decanted and sits in our glasses, Hayden takes a deep breath and looks as if he is trying to steal some courage to say whatever is on his mind.
Please don’t let it be that he’s leaving for London before Christmas.
With Marion settling into retirement, Tessa busy with work, and the rest of my life in shambles, I look forward to my time with Hayden more than I should.
“Everything okay?” I hedge, eyeing Hayden’s eerily quiet demeanor. Hayden is loud, and fun, and sweet and kind, but he’s not quiet. Ever. In fact, sitting in the quiet with him is uncomfortable and makes me squirm for something to say.
Hayden puts down his drink and straightens his jacket. It reminds me of the way a man acts before he gets down on one knee. The similarity makes me burst out in laughter. Clearly, Hayden—gorgeous, funny, kind Hayden—would never get down on his knee for a woman like me.
“Something funny?” he asks as his nervousness seems to slip and he offers me a kind smile.
“Oh, no,” I cover my mouth in embarrassment. “Just you look like a man with a serious question, and it made me think of how men look before they get engaged which just made me laugh because a man like you would never be doing that with someone like me.” I shake my head on a smile and pick up my glass for a sip of the pinot noir Hayden selected.
Hayden’s smile falters. “Why do you say it like that?”
“Why do I say what like what?” I ask honestly.
“You act as if I wouldn’t be interested in pursuing you.”
I let out an unladylike guffaw. “Well, I know we aren’t like that.”
“And what are we like?” he asks, genuine interest adorning his face.
“We’re…us…” I struggle for words, pausing to look at him and wondering why he’s acting so strange.
“And what exactly is ‘us’?” he pantomimes his hands in question.
“Um…” I struggle. “Friends. Mates as they say in England?” I try for a joke.
Hayden lifts his eyebrow to me, and I see the smirk shining through. He finds me funny. No one finds me funny. I don’t even particularly find myself funny which is another reason why I love him.
“Mates?”
