‘I don’t know what to say.’ Hayley looked to Vernon and then to Dean.
‘You just go out and have fun with that gorgeous man,’ Vernon said. ‘I’ve got a project for Miss Short Stuff while you’re out. We’re going to beautify Randy.’
‘Thank you, Vernon,’ Hayley croaked out.
‘You’re welcome. I’ll set to it,’ Vernon said, rubbing Dean’s shoulder as he passed.
Hayley admired her reflection in the mirror again, taking delight in the way her new hair moved.
‘I mean it, Hayley, you look absolutely stunning,’ Dean said.
‘Good enough for a billionaire?’
She hadn’t meant the sentence to come out hard and she swallowed, waiting for her brother’s reaction.
‘Listen, Hayley, about last night… everything I said to you just came out wrong.’ Dean sighed. ‘I am so incredibly proud of you but I’m also an overprotective brother who lives on the other side of the world and worries.’ He paused. ‘You’ve gone through so much and sometimes, I just want you to slow down and… maybe share what’s going on in that head of yours.’
‘I’m not sure you’d really want to know,’ Hayley said, smiling.
‘I do, Hayley. Idowant to know,’ Dean insisted.
She nodded. ‘Well, I need something other than Angel in my life now, Dean. I came over here for Christmas because she wanted to find her father but when I thought about coming here, I wondered if I might find something for myself too. Even if it was only inspiration, you know, a starting block.’
‘Like the job with the uniform I’m not going to ask about.’
‘Yes, like that… but look what that led to. I’m event-managing one of the most prestigious charity events in the city… and now I’ve said that out loud, I feel really, really scared.’
‘And there’s a billionaire about to pitch up at my door and whisk you off for a night of excitement I really don’t want to think about.’
Hayley smiled. ‘I don’t know what’s going to happen with Oliver but I like him and he likes me and we make each other laugh.’
‘He laughs? Seriously? I’m going to have to put that on a notice board at the office.’
The intercom buzzed and a fizz of anticipation crackled through Hayley’s body. Oliver was here.
‘I wish I’d opened some wine,’ she said, her lips juddering out the words. ‘It’s got cold in here.’
‘It’s just nervous anticipation. Where’s he going to take you?’ Dean asked.
‘I have no idea.’
‘Well, listen to me,’ Dean said, putting his head close to hers and turning them both towards the mirror. ‘You get a chance to go to that penthouse then you take it. It’s the weekend, Vernon and I can do that awful Christmas story and breakfast in the morning.’
Hayley looked at their reflections and turned her face to kiss Dean’s cheek. ‘Thank you.’
‘You’re welcome. Now, go on down, before his footman buzzes again.’ Dean let her go.
‘Angel!’ Hayley shouted. ‘Don’t you make Uncle Dean read that Christmas story more than three times and only two bowls of ice cream!’
‘Three times!’ Dean exclaimed.
‘Goodnight. I’ll be good!’ Hayley said, pounding down the stairs, tucking her sequinned bag under her arm.
‘Don’t be good. Just be careful!’
38
OUTSIDE DEAN WALKER’S APARTMENT, DOWNTOWN MANHATTAN
