She could tell that.
Someone like him would never date her.
Hadley wasn’t being negative or getting down on herself. She knew this because she’d been in this position before—being used prior to getting tossed aside.
It hadn’t been fun. Her ex-boyfriend in college had begged her to write his papers and do his homework so he wouldn’t be benched. Once the football season ended, he’d dumped her. There had also been the rich guy who’d only dated her to make another woman jealous. Not to mention the coworker at her job at an online dating firm who’d used her crush on him to claim her hard work as his own and be offered the promotion she’d wanted.
The difference this time?
You could have said no and never seen him again.
Except she hadn’t.
She’d gone into this with her eyes wide open and said yes because Blaise was paying her. An amount she hadn’t even dreamed about earning.
She needed to stop complaining and make this work. For both of them. “Will Wes and Dash be there on Saturday?”
“I was so surprised by the invite I didn’t ask, but I can find out.” Blaise spoke faster than normal, suggesting she wasn’t the only one who was nervous. “We won’t stay long. No kissing or holding hands. I’ll charter a jet so you can travel at your convenience.”
Uncertainty gnawed at her, but she couldn’t give in to it.
Instead of dwelling on those feelings, Hadley closed her eyes. She imagined that house on Avila Street and the thirty-eight photos of the interior and exterior. With what Blaise would pay her and the equity from selling the condo, she could afford it.
What choice did she have?
Hadley took a breath. And another. “I’ll be there.”
CHAPTER TEN
On Friday, Blaise’s cell phone buzzed with notifications. A strategically leaked rumor about the new fund earlier in the week had resulted in a frenzy of calls and messages.
Not that he was in a rush to answer.
The goal had been to fuel anticipation. They’d succeeded.
As he grabbed his phone to silence it, two initials on the screen made him do a double take.
HL.
Blaise hadn’t heard from her. Not that they’d planned to stay in touch this week, but he’d thought about her. More than he’d wanted to acknowledge.
Was it guilt for what happened on Sunday and what he was asking for this upcoming Saturday?
Or perhaps gratitude for everything extra she was doing?
Maybe a combination.
He unlocked his screen and pulled up her text.
HL:Could we reschedule dinner? Been fighting a cold all week. I don’t want to spread germs.
Blaise:We could, but didn’t you want to talk with Wes and Dash?
No dots showed up indicating she was typing a response. But he had an idea.
Blaise:How about we make it an early night so you can get to bed early? A good night of sleep might be all you need.
HL:I am tired.
