Smiling, she leaned toward Blaise, her hand squeezing his. “How did it go?”
He forced himself not to lace his fingers with hers. “Not as bad as I thought it would be. I’m going back next week.”
“It’s so great you made that call.”
Satisfaction flowed through him. “Opening up to you was the first step.”
“And there will be many more.” Happiness radiated from her, making him want to soak it up. “But don’t forget. When you’re ready to date or if you meet someone, don’t come up with excuses so you can’t have a relationship. You own the company. Find the time.”
Her entire demeanor shifted because she’d put on her matchmaker hat, which told him two things—she was feeling better, and he’d been spending time with the real Hadley, not the one she showed to clients. The realization shouldn’t have pleased him as much as it did.
“You’ve been doing that this week. Working from home. Leaving early enough to have dinner with me,” she added. “That means you have some flexibility.”
Yes, but he hadn’t thought about taking advantage of that until her. Which was why he shrugged off what she said. “What kind of host would I be if I worked all day and went out to dinner as I usually do while you’re here?”
“Robyn’s around.”
Blaise wasn’t sure what she was getting at. “Would you rather I hadn’t come home tonight?”
“No.” The word rushed out. Hadley’s cheeks turned pink, but this time, he wasn’t worried about her having a fever. “That’s not what I meant. I enjoy our evenings together.”
Good.
“Me, too.” Truth was, he would miss her when she returned to San Francisco. But that wasn’t something he wanted to think about tonight. “Want to finish the movie?”
“Yes, please.” She faced the television screen. “I’m ready for the HEA.”
“HEA?” he asked, unfamiliar with the term.
“Happily ever after.”
Of course. That must be why she enjoyed these movies so much.
“If anyone deserves a HEA, you do.” He pressed play, wondering if she would laugh, cry, or sigh when this one finished.
Knowing Hadley, maybe all three.
* * *
On Friday night, Blaise sat with his friends in Dash’s over-the-top backyard. Lights were strung across the extravagant patio, which contained a fully stocked bar with four beer taps, a gourmet outdoor kitchen, firepit, and a barbeque grill on steroids.
Typical Dash.
Blaise had come over after having dinner with Hadley. She was at his house. Cambria, Selah, and Rachael had stayed home. He’d only wanted the six of them here tonight. Henry and Brett hadn’t been invited. Blaise would talk to them, but first, he needed to see how Adam, Dash, Kieran, Mason, and Wes reacted.
Iris had put out chips and salsa on the table. Some homemade guacamole and spinach-artichoke dip, too. That went better with the beer and whiskey they were drinking than cookies and brownies, though those were in the kitchen. But she wasn’t here, either. Lights twinkled in the charming guesthouse off to the left in the backyard where she lived.
Sitting with friends, eating and drinking, was a great end to the week. If only that was the reason they were there.
A lump returned to Blaise’s throat. It didn’t burn as hot as it had with Hadley. Progress? He hoped so.
“So what did you want to talk about?” Dash asked him.
“Don’t tell me,” Mason teased. “You and Hadley are engaged.”
“Give them another month or two.” Kieran raised his beer in a mock toast. “Not everyone falls in love overnight like you.”
As jokes about dating and fast engagements went around the table, Blaise sipped his stout.
