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“You think Jake will be on board?” Hailey asked me.
“Hmm. He won’t want a receptionist. He likes solitude when he’s working,” I said, taking a large bite of the potato salad. It tasted homemade.
“Isn’t that the point of the receptionist? To field the calls so he doesn’t have to?” Hailey asked.
“Yes, but he’ll assume she’ll interrupt to ask questions,” I said dryly. Sometimes Jake could be stubborn.
“If Nana closes the store, I can help you out.”
As attractive as the idea was to have her in my space, I said, “You’re supposed to be exploring what you want, not what Jake needs at the garage.”
Her face fell. “At least let me help with the waiting room.”
“I could use your help.” I’d take her in my space any way I could get her.
Hailey smiled. “I’d love to.”
“I’m glad I came tonight.” Originally, it was to see Hailey, but the help I’d received from her friends was invaluable.
“Me too.”
We finished eating and stuck around to socialize. When Hailey yawned, I offered to drive her home.
My hand tightened around the steering wheel. “We should talk about Friday night.”
Hailey looked out the window. “I think it goes without saying that we don’t mention it to Jake.”
I let out a laugh. “Well, yeah. But I was wondering how you felt.”
I felt her gaze on the side of my face. “What do you mean?”
“Did you want—” I couldn’t askdo you want to do it again sometime;I’d sound like an opportunistic jerk.
“Are you asking if I’d like to see you again?” Hailey asked softly.
“I wasn’t sure where your head was at. If it was a one-and-done or something else?”
“I like you, Ryan. But Jake—”
“Jake’s not here. It’s just you and me.” I shouldn’t ignore the issue with Jake. It wasn’t going away, but for once, I wanted to make a move for myself. Not because Tiffany was moving or Corey needed something.
Hailey was someone I wanted for myself for however long I could have her. I didn’t delude myself into thinking she could be mine forever because Jake would never approve or understand. Deep down, I didn’t feel like the right guy for her.
I’d parked a few houses away from her place where a streetlight illuminated her face.
“Everything feels so up in the air with Nana, the shop, and my future. You’re a distraction I don’t need.”
“But what about what youwant?” I asked, taking her hand in mine.
Her skin was soft, her nails trimmed short. My chest tightened. I shouldn’t have said anything. I should have let it go. Why would I think she wanted me?
“You’re everything I should be avoiding right now. Like you said, I should be focusing on myself.”
The bad boy inside of me wanted her to let go and give in to her desires. “Come on. I’ll walk you to your door.”
I could feel her slipping away emotionally. Her arms wrapped around her middle like she was cold. She was creating space between us. Space I didn’t want or need.
On her doorstep, she paused a step above me so that we were almost the same height. I brushed a strand of hair out of her face, imagining we were on a date, and a goodnight kiss was a real possibility.
