‘And that made you want her even more,’ Tony scoffed.
‘It’s complicated.’
‘Shit, she’s married?’
‘No,’ he paused. ‘But she does have a daughter.’
‘Oh man, stay out of that.’
‘What makes you say that?’
‘Kids, exes, they’re complications you definitely don’t need.’
‘The ex isn’t on the scene right now.’
‘Then she’ll be needy. And boy, single mothers can smell a billionaire from a mile away,’ Tony said, swigging from his drink.
‘Hey, when did you get so judgemental?’ He felt a niggle of anger digging in his stomach.
‘I’m just telling it like it is.’
‘You haven’t met her yet,’ Oliver defended.
‘Have you asked her what her wish is? Bet it’s a loft in Tribeca.’
Oliver squirmed in his seat. At the mention of Hayley’s wish, a gnawing feeling started in his chest. He’d called Daniel Pearson earlier for an update on Andrew Regis and to see if he’d made any progress finding Michel De Vos. There was nothing yet, in either respect.
‘Her wish was to find her child’s father,’ Oliver breathed out.
‘Holy shit.’ Tony’s eyes enlarged. ‘That’s what she wished when she could have anything?’
Oliver nodded. She’d been honest, true to herself, passionate. All the things he admired. All the things he’d forgotten how to be.
‘You like this woman,’ Tony said, his tone even.
Oliver opened his mouth to reply but, for a second, couldn’t. There was that voice again.You’re going to die.This date is pointless. You can’t fight fate.How could he throw his hat in the ring when she was destined to leave and he was going to die?
But this was his best friend, the guy who knew him better than anyone. He had to be honest despite everything else. ‘Yeah,’ he said, nodding. ‘I like her.’
Vipers Nightclub, Downtown Manhattan
Hayley had meant to go straight back to Dean’s. He’d already sent two messages and left a voicemail. He was worried. Stroppy her was thinkingso he should be; sensible her was thinking she might have overreacted a little and storming off into the night wasn’tbehaviour befitting of someone her age. But the nightclub was on her route back and standing outside, feeling the throb and pulse of the music from inside, had transported her back ten years again. With purpose in her stride, she headed to the entrance.
‘Excuse me! Is Artie here?’ She had to shout above the music and squeeze her way in between patrons waiting to be served.
‘Artie doesn’t work until Friday,’ a girl called back, stopping in front of her, using the bottle opener to de-lid a bottle of Bud.
‘Someone told me that; I just thought he might have picked up a couple of extra shifts.’ She needed a lead on Michel. It was driving her crazy. She needed something solid to give Angel.
The bartender passed the bottle to the customer and took payment before giving Hayley her attention. She flicked back an abundance of curls and smiled at Hayley.
‘Artie’s married, by the way,’ the girl told her.
‘Oh,’ Hayley said. ‘I wasn’t thinking of hitting on him.’ She slipped her phone from her pocket and tapped the screen until the photo she’d taken of the photo of Michel was displayed. ‘I’m looking for someone.’ She turned the screen to the bartender. ‘His name’s Michel De Vos. He, er, we met here ten years ago and I’m trying to find him.’
The girl took the phone from Hayley and studied the photo up close. Hayley swallowed as she watched the woman taking in the picture. There was no look of recognition on her face but that didn’t stop the whirling sensation in Hayley’s stomach from taking hold.
‘I’ve seen him in here,’ the girl said finally, passing the phone back. ‘His hair’s the same.’
