As her smile faltered, she glanced around. “This might not be the best place to talk.”
He didn’t see anyone paying attention to them. “It’s fine.”
She took a breath. “Wes went out on his date, but he doesn’t want to go on another with her.”
“Did something happen?”
“No, he liked her. It’s just not the right time for him to be dating.”
That didn’t sound like Wes. “Yeah, right.”
“He was honest with me,” Hadley said, her tone compassionate. “The last couple of years have been hard on him. Physically and emotionally. He wants more time before he jumps into the dating world again. It’s good he recognizes that because I think he needs a break.”
“What he needs is to move on with his life,” Blaise countered. “The cancer is in remission. He needs a wife.”
Her jaw clenched. “He’s not ready for a date. A wife is the last thing he needs.”
No.Hadley was being stubborn. Maybe she was following a flowchart or something, but Blaise wouldn’t let anything get in his way of winning. “Wes has always been up for going out and dating.”
“Maybe before, but that’s not what he wants now. It’s not right to push him into something because you want it to happen.”
“He told you all this?”
She nodded. “We spoke on the phone.”
That was strange. Blaise didn’t like how easy she spoke about Wes. “He didn’t say a word to me.”
“He will.” Hadley sounded certain. “It’s too bad, but trying to find someone to date right now would be a waste of my time and your money.”
Heat rushed up Blaise’s neck. “The bet—”
“What’s more important to you? Winning the bet or doing what’s best for your friend?”
He didn’t like the accusation in her voice or how close—familiar—she suddenly appeared to be with Wes. “They aren’t mutually exclusive. Which is why I hired you.”
“Talk to Wes. Hear what he has to say.”
“Wes is my friend, not yours. So I’m not sure why he’s discussing this with you.”
She gave Blaise a funny look. “I’m his matchmaker.”
“Then you should know love is what he needs. Find him another date as soon as you’re back in the office.”
Something flashed in her eyes. “I can’t.”
I can’t.
Memories slammed into Blaise like a speeding semi-truck with no brakes, roaring in his ears and making him nauseous. His parents had said the same thing to him when they chose heroin over him. Time and time again. All he’d ever wanted was to be important enough for someone to put him first, to choose him. He thought Hadley felt that way about him. But she was choosing Wes.
Not me.
“You can’t?” Blaise repeated, not believing what was happening.
“I can’t because that’s not what Wes needs. Give him time to heal emotionally first.”
What Wes needed? Blaise grimaced. What about him?
Each muscle tensed into a rock-hard ball. Anger flared, his temper spiraling out of control.
