Hadley worked hard to keep her smile in place even if she understood their reaction. She didn’t want to say goodbye to Blaise, either. Now that she was in direct contact with Dash and Wes—who was calling her tomorrow—she had no reason to stay in touch with Blaise. The next time she spoke to him would be to tell him she’d found matches for his friends.
The realization sucked the air out of her lungs.
Fallon’s gaze bounced between Hadley and Blaise. “Kids, why don’t you take your aunt’s suitcase and purse to the bedroom, so she can say goodbye to Mr. M. I need to check on dinner.”
Less than thirty seconds later, Hadley stood alone in the living room with Blaise. Three feet separated them, but the distance felt as if it were twenty times that. Where once the silence between them was comfortable, now awkwardness laced the quiet.
She hated it. Hated this. “Thanks for everything.”
“Anytime, but you did more for me than I did for you.”
Confused, she crinkled her nose. “Huh?”
“Getting me to open up, acting like my girlfriend in front of my friends, making me realize I spend too much time working and need more balance in my life.”
Hadley let what his words soak in. “You’re welcome, but this was an even exchange.”
He raised an eyebrow. “You sure?”
She nodded. “My job will be much easier having Wes and Dash onboard with the matchmaking. You and Robyn spoiled me. And I’ll be bringing my tiara with me on future business trips.”
Blaise grinned. “I will need proof of the tiara.”
Hadley feigned shock. “You don’t believe me.”
He winked. “Send me a selfie the next time you’re in New York.”
“Deal.” Because she now had his permission to text him a picture. “I hope your dinner goes well.”
“It’ll be boring.” He sounded resigned. “But I’ll be able to see a few clients I haven’t seen in a while. Henry and Brett will be there, too.”
“Great.” Except it wasn’t.
Saying goodbye didn’t feel right, so she pressed her lips together.
Blaise rocked back on his heels. “Lex and Rizzo are waiting.”
This was it. Hadley headed to the front door. Each step took effort. Her nerve endings twitched. Her heart pounded. She reached for the doorknob.
He did, too, his hand covering hers. “Take care of yourself.”
She relished the feel of his warmth and the touch of his skin. “You, too.”
He didn’t move his hand. Neither did she. Hadley stood, feeling as if she were in limbo and not caring. Standing here for even the briefest amount of time was better than not seeing Blaise again.
“I should go,” he said.
She nodded, but once again nothing happened. Her hand didn’t want to turn the knob. His remained on top of hers.
“I—” she said.
“I—” he said at the same time.
“You go first,” she offered.
His pulse was visible at his neck. “I don’t want to say goodbye.”
The tension between them disappeared. She blew out a breath. “I don’t, either.”
