Blaise:We’ll appease my friends. Get the info you need. Eat. Then leave.
HL:That’s better than a full evening out. But don’t blame me if you get sick.
Blaise:If you’ve had this all week, I’m sure you’re no longer contagious. And since we won’t be kissing, I’ll take my chances.
HL:Okay. My sister will be happy I won’t be home to re-infect them. The kids had colds last week.See you tomorrow at your house.
As Blaise reread the texts, his shoulder muscles loosened, the knots softening. The tension in his face eased. Funny how Hadley could frustrate him yet also relax him. He looked forward to seeing her again.
He hated that Hadley didn’t feel well. Her worrying about getting others sick didn’t surprise him. Even if her concern was unfounded. Sniffles, sneezes, and coughs were common in the fall.
On Saturday morning, Hadley texted him that her flight was delayed so she would go straight to his house and change there instead of the hotel she’d booked. He worked out, trying to expel the extra energy he’d woken up with, and had brunch at a small café withMr. Penney and Coop.
After that, Blaise went home where he worked for a few hours, changed clothes, and then waited for Hadley to arrive. The house was spotless, though it usually was. All he had to do was put an empty glass in the sink. He tried to read, but the words blurred on the page. A press of the remote brought the television to life. A college football game. That would do for now.
Blaise checked the time during each commercial break.
Hadley should have been here by now. They weren’t running late yet, but where could she be?
He pulled up a flight app, only to close it. He didn’t know what airline she’d taken so he couldn’t look up her arrival time. Given her earlier text, he assumed she would have let him know if her flight had been delayed more. Maybe she hit traffic on the drive from the airport.
He pulled up another app that displayed the roads in the area. A few spots showed red, signaling a delay, but most of the freeway was green.
The doorbell rang.
His pulse kicked up.
Blaise went to the door, forcing himself not to hurry, and opened it.
Hadley stood with tired eyes and a suitcase next to her. She wore a long sweater over a T-shirt, faded jeans, and short boots. Her hair was pulled back in a loose, lopsided ponytail. The edges of her lips curved in a closed-mouth smile. “Hi, Blaise.”
His stomach did a somersault. He didn’t know if it was her clothes, her smile, or how she said his name. “Hey, you made it.”
“I did.” She glanced at her luggage. “I don’t have a smaller bag with me to hold my clothes for tonight, so I’m stuck lugging this around.”
“I’ll get it for you.”
She sniffled. “Thanks.”
He picked up her suitcase. “Still fighting the cold?”
She nodded. “I slept most of the flight. It’s almost time for more cold medicine. I’ll be good to go for dinner.”
He motioned her inside. “I’ll show you to one of the guest bedrooms. There’s a bathroom attached. All the towels are clean, if you want to shower.”
“Thanks.” Hadley rubbed her forehead. “A shower might clear the sinuses.”
She followed him upstairs without saying a word. Must have been a long flight. Or maybe a rough week.
“Did you add any new clients in New York?” he asked when they reached the second floor.
“No, I limit the number of clients, and my roster is full thanks to you.”
“Then why were you there?”
“To meet with potential candidates and check in with my clients. Some need more help than others with dating and romance.” She yawned. “Excuse me. I’m a little tired.”
“What kind of help?”
