My jaw flexes side to side, accepting my fate. “Okay.”
We both square our shoulders and enter a faceoff for a long minute.
“I’m out of here. No way am I listening to Dad and Mom talk about their fantasy of their son being mayor. I would sayinforming them of their son’s blessed union will deter that conversation, but you’re my brother and I won’t do that… yet.” He turns and walks away without a further glance to me.
I don’t flinch an inch and stew in the complexity of life happening right now.
Not my proudestmoment but I’m adding coward to my title.
Hailey doesn’t know that my brother is aware of our legal status because I didn’t tell her. I’ve had a solid 24 hours to do that, and I haven’t.
Now I’m entering Foxy Rox to pick up Hailey for our meeting with the owner of the building. She wanted an extra caffeine fix which won’t calm her jitters, but I relent. Her dress has short sleeves, and the blue fabric reaches her knees. Completely elegant.
Right away when I open the door, I see her chatting with Esme at the counter who instantly sees me and dodges her head around Hailey’s shoulder.
“Oh, look at that. Oliver is here.” Her smile is unreadable, but there is a sense of something wicked.
Hailey turns and flicks her sight to meet my own, and her eyes flash at me so Esme can’t see. “Hey, wasn’t expecting you here. It’s like I run in for a coffee and meet everyone on Everhope Road. First Esme and now you.” She laughs nervously at her excuse.
“Guess so.”
Esme’s eyes travel between Hailey and me. “Coincidence,” she states simply then focuses her attention on the barista.
Hailey mouths to mefuck,and I’m nearly distracted that the letters cause her mouth to open into the shape in which she takesmy cock. Immediately, I shake that thought away and attempt to focus.
“I should order that coffee I came in for. I have a meeting soon.” I step to the counter to order a coffee I don’t need.
“When did you get that?” Esme asks as she stirs the stick in her coffee and grabs a lid.
I have no idea what her question is until I do a double take when I see Hailey innocently playing with something around her neck.
Not exactly subtle.
Hailey’s eyes drop down and she realizes her error. She lets go and tucks it into her shirt, but it’s too little too late. “My grandmother,” she spits out. “Yeah, my grandmother gave it to me since Liam got Ava a new ring. Thought it’s something nice to wear every now and then,” she lies nervously.
“Yeah, it’s nice.” Esme finishes securing the lid and then turns to us both, fortunately not interested in pressing further. “Okay, well, see you guys around. Gotta run to a photoshoot.”
Hailey sighs in relief as soon as Esme leaves. “Shit. I totally forgot that was still around my neck. I wasn’t even thinking.” Because it seems to be human nature for her and that’s not a bad thing.
“She didn’t take any notice.”
“Are you sure?” She blows out an audible breath. “We should be more careful. It feels as though we are hanging on by a thread to keep this all together.”
“It was one question,” I assure her.
Hailey gawks at me. “She thinks I power walk for fun and talk about dead plants.”
A smirk dances on my lips because it’s kind of hilarious.
“Forget about it. You have a bigger issue right now.” And it isn’t my brother. “Ready for the meeting?”
Her facial muscles ease. “I think so. I now check all the boxes, plus you will be there. That’s already a relief.”
“Okay, then let’s get out of here.” I throw some bills at the barista and inform her that we don’t actually need coffee. She looks at us strangely but then shrugs and accepts it.
When we are out on the sidewalk of Main Street, it’s a temptation to touch Hailey. Whether it be my hand on her lower back or interlinking her arm with mine. The way she lifts her sunglasses on her head is the same as at the start of theater when the curtain rises, making me feel curiosity and excitement.
“This shouldn’t last long,” she says as the ring around her neck finds a new home on her finger.
