“I have several interviews lined up,” Amber stated matter-of-factly.
“Interviews for what?” To say that Haley’s interest was piqued would be the understatement of the century.
“For help. I am looking to hire at least one, maybe two more employees.”
Haley searched Amber’s face for clues as to what this was all about, but it was unreadable. Seriously, she could pick up on nothing. Amber might have missed her calling as a card shark because she had one badass poker face.
“We need more help?” Haley was trying desperately not to jump to the conclusion that she was getting fired, but her feet were already off the ground and she would definitely consider herself mid-hop.
“Actually, that’s what I needed to talk to you about,” Amber said cryptically as she pulled out one of the white and black polka-dotted chairs that sat around the small table in the breakroom. “Have a seat.”
Haley’s stomach was doing an amazing impression of Chubby Checker doing the twist as she slid into the padded chair. Amber sat across from her and folded her hands, resting them on the black wooden surface of the table.
“I’ve been giving this a lot of thought.” Amber’s tone sounded more businesslike than normal, which was not helping the dance party going on in Haley’s stomach. “You have been an amazing employee. In fact, I don’t know how I would have gotten through the last few years without you. You’ve gone above and beyond in every aspect of your job.”
Haley seriously felt a “but” coming on.
Amber continued. “So much so, that I think that you’ve outgrown your current position.”
Umm, that definitely sounded like she was getting fired. Haley’s heart raced and her palms grew damp as she swallowed over a large lump in her throat. Just as she was trying to formulate what she could tell Amber to convince her that she had not “outgrown her position,” Amber blindsided her once again by announcing through a wide smile, “So I would like to make you a partner.”
“What?” Haley asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
Amber leaned down and produced—from where, Haley had no idea—a stack of legal documents, sliding them across the table. Haley stared down at them, dumbfounded.
She couldn’t think. She couldn’t breathe. She couldn’t talk.
Luckily, Amber could, and she continued speaking. “Your Tempting line is one of our best sellers. As a matter of fact, every line you’ve put out we have sold out of.”
Haley was listening and processing what Amber was telling her. She knew that was true. Her lingerie line was popular.
“So my thought was, if you’re interested of course, would be to open a second Bella location, here in Harper’s Crossing, but have it be primarily undergarments. And I wanted to name it Tempting by Bella. It would be your store, but you wouldn’t have to put up any of the upfront costs to open it.”
Haley stared at Amber in disbelief. If last night felt surreal, today felt unreal.
“But”—Amber pulled out a second stack of papers, once again sliding them across the table—“if a partnership is not something that you’re interested in, then I have a second option for you.”
Haley looked down and saw the first words that popped out at her—principal investor.
Amber quickly explained, “I believe in you. And if you want to spread your wings and do this on your own, then I want to offer my help as a silent investor.”
Tears began forming in Haley’s eyes. She couldn’t believe the opportunity that Amber was offering. Her own store.
“So think about it, have a lawyer look over the paperwork, then get back to me when you’ve had time to consid—”
“No,” Haley blurted out.
Amber’s eyes widened. She drew her head back slightly, and Haley realized how her one-word response sounded.
She let out a forced laugh as she explained, “I mean, I don’t have to think about it. I want to open Tempting by Bella. I don’t want to do this alone. I have learned so much from you and would feel so honored to be your business partner.”
Now Amber’s eyes were brimming with tears as well. She held up her hands, assuring Haley, “You don’t have to answer right away. You can take as long as you want.”
“Are you kidding me?! I feel like I just won the lotto. I’m definitely cashing in my ticket.”
Amber stood and extended her hand. “Okay, partner.”
Haley stood as well but rounded the corner and threw her arms around Amber. “Thank you so much,” she said as she embraced her.
Amber patted her back. “I really believe in you. Not just your Tempting line, but you, Hales.”
The phone rang, interrupting their moment, and Amber stepped through the beaded doorway to head to the front to answer it.
Haley took a moment, looking around the small room she had spent a lot of time in over the last few years. As excited as she was, she did feel the distinctive pull of nostalgia. She was going to miss this place.
That little voice piped up again. But you’ll have a new place. Your place.
Tempting by Bella. Haley smiled. I like the sound of that.
* * *
“Daddy, look!” Emily yelled as she pushed her cousin Mya in the baby swing on the swing set he and Riley had just installed in his sister’s backyard.
“Good job, squirt!” he yelled back.
His daughter’s face scrunched at his use of her nickname. She really was growing up. That could not have been any clearer than after his talk with Haley.
Chelle stepped outside onto the patio carrying a tray of uncooked hamburger patties. She was dressed casually in shorts and a tank top, her hair pulled back in a ponytail, but Eddie could honestly say that he’d never seen his sister look more beautiful. Since getting married and having Mya, she’d just had this inner glow about her. Marriage and motherhood suited her.
“So…” She clapped her hands together as she sat down at the patio table after handing off the burgers to Riley. “What’s new with you? I feel like all the info I get about you is secondhand.”
“Secondhand?” His forehead creased. Why the hell would anybody be talking about him? Especially to his sister.
“Yes. A few of the moms who have kids in Emily’s class work at the hospital. You seem to be their favorite topic of discussion. Also, my dinner with Katie got interrupted quite a few times by random women with inquiries and stories about you.”
“And?” Eddie felt like this was going somewhere; he just wasn’t sure where yet.
He didn’t love the fact that people felt the need to talk about him when he wasn’t around, but there was not a lot he could do about it. If there was one lesson his misspent youth and Lacey taking off had taught him, it would be that people talked and it was best to just ignore it.
“And”—Chelle leaned forward in her chair and dropped her voice to a whisper—“there is quite a lot of interest in your social life. Or should I say lack thereof.”
“Chelle, I don’t know why you listen to that stuff. You know that I’m not going to—”
“—get in any relationship until after Em is in college,” his sister interrupted, finishing his thought. She spoke quickly, her voice monotone. Shaking her head and sitting back in her chair, Chelle sighed disappointedly. “Yeah, I know. You have made that perfectly clear. But I’m worried about you. Are you ever going to move on? I mean, I know it’s hard to think about after what”—she whispered as she spelled out—“L-a-c-e-y did, but I think it’s time for you to man up, get back out there, and act like you’ve got a pair!” his sister teased. A small proud smile lifted at the corners of her mouth.
He heard Riley chuckle over the grill. Eddie wanted to slap him upside his head. Chelle had never talked to him like that before she’d hooked up with his best friend.
Eddie was confused. His sister had always been on his side. She was always supportive and understanding. She’d never questioned his parenting, his personal life. Even as a teen when he was out of control, she’
d always just accepted him, unconditionally and unquestioningly.
He was her big brother. She was his little sister. They’d always stayed in those roles. Eddie couldn’t figure out why she was she acting like this now. Where was this disapproval and challenge coming from?
He felt like telling her to mind her own business, but he didn’t think he would be able to say it that nicely. He knew a lot of people thought he was a dick or an asshole, and most the time he didn’t disagree with their assessment, but he tried really hard never to be that way with Chelle or Emily.
Or Haley.
He shook off that thought as he decided to take a different approach to this conversation and diffuse what could be a volatile topic—for him at least. “You don’t need to worry about me. I’m fine. You can tell everyone who’s ‘concerned’ about my love life that I’ve got it under control.”
“Auntie Chelle!” Emily called out from across the yard. “I think Mya needs a diaper change.” Em’s face looked as if she was smelling something very unpleasant as she stood beside baby Mya swinging happily in the baby swing.
“Okay, sweetie pie.” Chelle stood, pointing her finger at Eddie. “Duty calls, but this is not over.”
He watched as his sister made her way across the grass and picked his niece up out of the swing. Emily happily trotted after her aunt, offering to help with the diaper changing.
As the three girls stepped onto the porch, Riley pulled the last patty off the grill and turned, kissing both his wife and baby girl before they headed into the house. Eddie shifted uncomfortably in his chair. If he hadn’t known any better, he would think he was actually a little envious of what his best friend had.
A wife. A baby. A family.
Riley pulled a couple of beers out of the cooler beside the grill, which was filled with ice, and handed one to Eddie. “Thanks again for helping me put that monster up.”
Eddie nodded and held up his beer in acknowledgement. Riley wasn’t exaggerating. That swing set had been a beast.
“So, you do know she’s not going to drop this,” Riley stated matter-of-factly.
Eddie groaned as his head fell back. “Not you too.”
What the hell was going on? He had come over here to do his part, be a good brother-slash-uncle-slash-friend. Now he was beginning to feel ambushed.
Riley lifted his hands in mock surrender. “Look, I’m just giving you a heads-up. She’s on a mission and I thought you should be warned.”
“Why does she care so much all of a sudden?”
A smug smile spread across his friend’s face. “My guess is she’s happy. Really happy. And she wants the same thing for you, so watch out. You know how she is when she puts her mind to something. Cupid won’t have anything on her.”
So not only had his sister decided that it was time to meddle in his private life, but he had his best friend of over twenty years to thank for putting her on the mission.
Great.
Chapter Seven
“I’m going over to Haley’s,” his daughter’s voice sounded in his foggy mind. Eddie felt his shoulder being jostled by little hands. “Okay, Daddy?”
As much as Eddie wanted to stay in the blissful state of unconsciousness, he knew he needed to open up his eyes and deal with whatever Emily was trying to tell him. Forcing his heavy lids open, he saw his daughter standing beside his bed, dressed for the day in a pair of new shorts and a flower shirt he’d bought for her the day before when they’d gone shopping for summer clothes.
Clearing his throat, he closed his eyes again and rubbed his face. A huge yawn escaped from his mouth as he stretched his arms above his head.
Coffee. He needed coffee.
“Okay, Daddy? I’ll be right back,” Em said quickly, the way she did when she was trying to pull one over on him, at the same time that he heard the pitter-patter of her feet leaving his room.
“Hold it,” his scratchy voice sounded with authority.
The footsteps stopped and he heard a loud sigh. Reaching over, he grabbed his phone off the nightstand. His vision was blurry but he could make out that it was seven fifteen in the morning. Haley was not a morning person.
“Haley’s probably still asleep. Why don’t you wait to go see her ‘til nine?” That would buy Eddie about an hour more sleep, which sounded like his personal version of heaven right about now.
“She’s awake. I saw her outside washing her car,” Emily chirped happily.
Haley already washed her car. Damn. And he’d missed it.
Pushing up, he turned and sat on the edge of his bed. “You know you’re not allowed to go out in the front without me.”
Emily’s hands flew up in the air as she animatedly explained, “But I’m just going across the street to Haley’s to make sure that she’s coming to my performance tonight. I’m not playing outside. I’m almost eight, Dad,” she declared as she propped her hands on her hips and looked at him like he’d be crazy to enforce his rule.
So now he was ‘Dad’ not ‘Daddy,’ huh? He stood, grabbing his dark gray sweats off the floor. “Let me put some sweats on and I’ll watch you walk over.”
An exasperated huff was the only response he got as Emily turned on her heels, her long honey-blond hair flying in the air as she spun around and stomped out of the room.
Eddie pulled up his sweats and followed her. She walked with heavy feet, her arms crossed defensively in front of her chest. Obviously, he’d ruined her I’ll-ask-Dad-while-he’s-half-asleep plan to venture across the street alone.
Last weekend, when they’d been over at Riley and Chelle’s, Emily had asked Chelle how old she was the first time she’d kissed a boy. Emily hadn’t known he’d been able to overhear the conversation through the baby monitor. Neither had Chelle, who had relayed it to him later. She’d thought it was cute. Eddie had not thought it was so cute.
He ran his fingers through his hair as he padded down the stairs in his irritated daughter’s wake. First, she wanted a bra. Then, she wanted to know how old his sister had been when she’d kissed a boy. Now, she was plotting to head across the street by herself.
She was obviously growing up. Eddie saw that. He just needed to make sure that it wasn’t happening too fast.
“Hey, squirt,” he said as they stepped outside into the sunny morning. Lifting his hand, he covered his eyes from the bright rays.
Keeping her voice carefully modulated, she turned back around. “What?” He had to give her props for at least trying to disguise the frustration in her voice. It was still seeping through, but he could tell that she was giving it the old college try.
“When you get back from Haley’s, do you want go to The Diner?”
Excitement lit her eyes, but just like she’d done with her attitude before, she tried her best to hide it. “Okay,” she said faux casually.
“Oh, and you can wear the lip gloss you got yesterday,” Eddie said. He knew it wasn’t a bra, but he was trying to take baby steps in letting her grow up. When he’d bought her the pink lip gloss, he’d told her she could wear it around the house but only out in public with permission.
Emily’s brown eyes widened with excitement as she exclaimed, “I can?” He nodded. She ran towards him and flung herself into his arms. “Thank you, Daddy!”
Now it’s ‘Daddy’ again? He knew that things would not always be fixed this easily. He was under no illusion that breakfast and lip gloss would turn things around so effortlessly when she was a headstrong teenager. God help him. He’d better enjoy this while it lasted.
Eddie squeezed her tight before setting her back down. Leaning against the front doorframe, he watched his little girl skip across the street. He was happy to note that she had looked both ways before crossing.
As she stepped up to the front door, his heart picked up speed. There was a very good chance that he would be catching a glimpse of Haley in just a few moments. Eddie had seen her a few times but hadn’t talked to her over the past week. He’d been desperately trying to stick to his pl
an to maintain distance.
So far, it had been working in that there had been no more close calls. But he missed her. A lot. He was actually a little shocked at just how much.
Emily reached up and rang the doorbell, and Eddie cringed inwardly. Even if Haley was up and about this early, Krista might still be sleeping. He needed to remember to talk to Em about that. She was a very polite and courteous girl, but she didn’t always consider things like sleep.
This morning being a perfect example.
The door opened and Eddie’s mouth went dry, his palms instantly growing damp. Haley stood framed in the doorway, a white terrycloth towel wrapped her body. The towel not only showed an ample amount of her sexy, long legs, it also molded against her body, hugging the curves Eddie craved to see. To touch. To kiss.
Eddie watched as his daughter animatedly spoke, her hands flying in the air. Haley moved to the side, inviting Em into the house. His little squirt turned to wave to him before she skipped inside. Then, in a moment that he would remember until he was six feet under, Haley’s gorgeous, clear blue eyes lifted to meet his as she was closing the door and his world stopped spinning on its axis.
He’d passed out one time from heat exposure on a site after working several sixteen-hour days in a row. The same sensation of everything zooming into tunnel vision occurred now, the difference being that, instead of the black space narrowing to a pinpoint, it all surrounded Haley. Nothing existed except the two of them.
Eddie honestly couldn’t say how long they stood, eyes locked, motionless. He knew he would never be able to put into words exactly what was happening between them in that moment. He had no idea if Haley was feeling the same thing he was. But he knew she had to feel something, because in that moment, something had definitely happened.
But then as fast as it had happened, it was over. Something inside her house—probably Emily—pulled her attention away from him and she turned her head. When she did, the lust-fog-trance-spell he’d fallen under snapped and the only remnant that remained was his pounding heartbeat, which sounded in his own ears like wild horses running at full speed.
Tempting Love - Haley & Eddie Page 7