“Doing well. Opening a new place on Friday.”
“Congratulations. Business must be good.”
“It is.” His responding chuckle makes the phone line crackle. “Any chance you could come to the opening? Stay for a few hours? I know you love getting behind the bar and mixing drinks for the crowd. It’d be fun, and the bar would get a lot of buzz if people knewtheHayden Hale was bartending.”
My gut sinks. “I don’t know…”
“Hade, please. I wouldn’t be asking if I didn’t really need it. I took a big risk with this place. The competition in the area is serious.”
I hesitate, fingers rapping on the steering wheel. The last thing I want is to go out and socialize, but if I can talk Riley into going with me, maybe I can make up for my Friday blunder.
“Okay.” I sigh. “Send me the details.”
“You’re the fucking best!”
“You owe me something from the top shelf,” I tease.
“Anything,” he eagerly agrees. “See you on Friday.”
I end the call, toss my phone on the passenger seat, and drive away. Now to convince Riley. Surely, she could use a break after dealing with the smoke damage in her apartment. And maybe she’ll meet a guy there.
As the thought crosses my mind, my stomach roils. Why does it feel so fucking bad just imagining her with someone else?
Fuck…I think I’m heading toward inevitable disaster.
15
i just want him
RILEY
It’sstrange being at Hayden’s place without him, like I’m in a foreign land and afraid of taking the wrong step. My curiosity is eating me alive. Where is he? Who is he with? Could he really still be at Owen’s wife’s place? It’s been hours.
My phone buzzes on the nightstand, and when Piper’s name appears, I swipe the screen and answer. “Hey.”
“Hi, Ry.” Her voice sounds melodic and cheerful. “How are you?”
“Good. Had two classes today then went to my place to meet with a rep from a cleaning company. They can start on my apartment next week, and he said I should be able to move back in the week after that.”
“Are you in a hurry to get out of Hayden’s place? He didn’t give you a deadline, did he?”
“Of course not. He said I’m free to stay as long as I need.” I head out of the bedroom. “I just don’t want to take advantage.”
She sighs. “Is that really what it’s about?”
A rush of nerves washes over me. “Um, yes? What else could it be?”
“You had a crush?—”
“Stop. That’s in the past,” I mutter.
At least, it should be. How pathetic of me to pine over a man who still thinks of me as a child. But after spending so much time in his company lately, with the way he looks at me and after some of the comments he’s made, I can’t help but wonder if his opinion has changed.
“Sorry. I don’t want to upset you.”
“That’s okay.” I sigh.
“Are you seeing anyone?”
