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“She’s your adult sister, though. She doesn’t need you in the same way.”
Jake nodded. “It’s a hard thing to shake, especially since our mom walked out on us so young.”
“I get that, but you need to let her breathe and make her own choices, too.”
I felt a little disingenuous by giving him advice to back off because I wanted to make a move on his sister.
“You’re probably right.” He stood and gestured to me. “Come with me to the office. Max contacted me about some town event coming up. Tell me what you think.”
I stopped to wash my hands in the sink, and after drying them, continued into his office. “What’s up?”
I sat across from him.
“There’s a fall festival. Some of the stores and restaurants offer coupons and gift cards.”
I rubbed my hands together. “Should we use it as our opportunity to get word out about the free classes?”
“That’s what I was wondering.”
“We could include a coupon inside a goodie bag, if that’s what Max is thinking.”
“Or should we do a percentage off their first service?”
“That’s the usual thing to do, but I want to be different. I kind of want to get people talking.”
“And you think a class on how to maintain your car will do it?”
“Why don’t you mention it to Hailey? She could get her shop friends involved.”
“That’s not a bad idea.”
“Maybe they could even come to the first class, and then they can get the word out.”
“Should we do one class before the festival and one after?” Jake leaned back in his chair, deep in thought.
“I think so.” Hailey wouldn’t be able to say no to Jake and me.
“Schedule one. Can you talk to Hailey about it?”
“No problem.”
The class and my promise to Jake would give me an excuse to see her outside our arrangement with Corey.
We ordered lunch in and spent an hour going over our schedule for the rest of the month. The rest of the day flew because I knew I was going to see Hailey tonight.
I volunteered to work late on the nights Corey was with Hailey. It made up for the Saturdays I missed for Corey’s games and practices. Just one more way Hailey was helping me.
* * *
I showered before heading over to Hailey’s shop to pick up Corey, and it had nothing to do with impressing her. I didn’t like going anywhere with grease under my nails.
The familiar bell over the door rang, spices tickling my nose, as I stepped inside to get out of the rain. My heart sped up when I saw Hailey’s dark head bowed over whatever she was working on at the spice counter. Her hair fell like a curtain around her face, hiding it from me.
She lifted her head as I approached. “Oh, hey.”
“Hailey,” I drew her name out.
She licked her lower lip and then bit it. “I’m almost done. Then I can take you up.”
