“You lookhansamu,” Ren says, looking me up and down. “Do you have somewhere to be tonight?”
“Dinner party at the Weatherby Estate. Figured I would wear my favorite suit for a confidence boost.”
“Yabai.That sucks.”
I shrug. “Just another show to put on.”
“You’re the master of shows.” Ren adjusts his low bun, orchonmage, as he calls it. “Are you going alone? Afterhours of making me wait, you texted that the newspaper was lying, but I don’t quite buy it. What are you up to?”
With a glare, I only answer the first question. “Unfortunately, no.”
“You are naturally brooding, but there is only one person who could put that specific expression on your face.” Ren raises his eyebrows. “Is your manager tagging along?”
“Mhmm.” My mood sours as I think of Hayden pestering me all night.
“Come on, Darcy-kun. She’s an awesome woman.”
I glare at him, but he stands firm with his arms crossed. “You haven’t met her.”
“You talk about her enough that I feel like she’s our third best friend.”
“Hayden Bennett is not my friend,” I mumble.Would it be so bad if she was?Stella was. But then again, Stella had a moody introverted streak like me. Hayden is extroverted and might be related to the Energizer Bunny. It overwhelms me.
Another knock at my door halts our conversation.
“Must be her.” Ren’s face lights up. “I finally get to meet the woman who puts your panties in a wad.”
I shove Ren’s shoulder like I used to do when we were school boys as I walk to open the door. “You can say hi, but after that, take your leave.”
“Take your leave,” Ren mocks under his breath. Then louder, he sucks his teeth. “Yeah, right.”
I slowly open the door, and Hayden stands there with her hair in her signature bun, though she left a few curls to hang in frontof her face.Stay clear of those,I demand to myself. Her face is practically healed now. Only a remnant of scars from the blisters remains visible under her makeup. I take notice of her yellow pants, black tucked-in blouse, and black strappy heels.
Why doesn’t she wear dresses to these dinners like all the other women? I’ve asked her several times to do just that.But she does look good in that outfit.
“I see you didn’t take my dress suggestion to heart.”
“And I see you still haven’t realized that you can’t dictate what clothes I choose to wear.”
“She’s got a valid point,” Ren pipes up. I side-eye him as Hayden steps around me and into my office. “And yellow looks good on her.”
As soon as I close the door, I turn around and run into a stopped Hayden. She tumbles forward and lands in Ren’s arms. Without thinking, I reach out to collect her from him, but Ren has already set her back upright and is mere inches from her face. His arms trail hers while his eyes flick over every part of her body.
“Are you okay?” he asks.
Hayden’s chin tilts up, almost as if she is inviting him to—
“She’s fine.” I force my hands to stay by my side. They want to reach out and pull the woman away from Ren. There’s no need for a makeout session in my office involving my best friend and my campaign manager. The thought alone stirs a fire in my stomach.
Ren glances my way, and I watch his top lip twitch like he’s trying to suppress a smile. Or a smirk.
He turns his attention back to Hayden. “Are you fine?” Ren asks with honey in his voice.
She swallows and nods her head once.
With a smirk and his eyes still on Hayden, Ren finally creates distance between the two.
I choose to ignore the scenario that transpired. I could blame Hayden for stopping in her tracks, but I still ran into her. “Sorry,” I mumble, but I don’t think she hears me. Too preoccupied with my best friend.
