by Layla Hagen
“Whew.” She glanced at the tray. “Is that for me?”
“Yeah.”
She pushed herself in a sitting position, and I placed the tray on her lap. She swallowed two big gulps of coffee before seeing the note.
Her eyes widened, and she placed the tray back on the nightstand, still holding the note. I held my breath, waiting for her reaction to my words.
I love you, Hailey Connor. We’ll get through this, I promise.
She leaped out of bed, straight into my arms.
“This note is the most adorable thing.”
“Adorable? Not what I was going for.”
“What were you going for?”
“Romantic.”
“That too.” Burrowing her head in my neck, she whispered, “I love you too.”
I sat on the bed, holding her in my lap. Damn, I really didn’t want to let go. Keeping her here sounded better by the minute.
“You feeling better than yesterday, pretty girl?”
“Umm... naked time always helps. And sleeping next to you.”
“On me,” I corrected.
“Well, that too. The pillows are comfy, but why use them when I have you? The note also helped.”
She squirmed in my lap.
“Stop that if you’re serious about getting home in time.”
Hailey stilled at once.
“On second thought, I’m keeping you here today.”
“No can do, mister. As much as I’d love to just be lazy and have more naked time, I can’t. I need to brainstorm on how to put out these fires.” On a lighter note, she added, “The brain fog has lifted, and I don’t think the pancakes should take all the credit.”
“About putting out those fires... I’ll make that statement about Marion and Lincoln.”
She lifted her head from the crook of my neck, frowning. “What? Why now?”
I looked her directly in the eyes. “Because I love you, Hailey, and, yes, I am proud, but I won’t let that pride hurt you. These pictures make you look like the other woman, and I won’t let that happen.”
“Reid, I can find workarounds. It’s my job.”
“I want to do it this way.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes.”
“Okay. I’ll set up everything, then.”
“I’m sorry I’ve waited this long to do it.”
“Better late than not at all.”
I kissed her slowly, rubbing my palms against her thighs, pulling her even closer. She grinned. “Is this supposed to motivate me to get my ass out the door? Hint: it’s not really working.”
“I might have other ideas.”
She pointed a finger at me. “Nope.”
“Relax. Just want to keep you here for a few more minutes.”
Sighing, she laced her arms around my neck. “Sleeping here has its perks. Breakfast in bed, and your chest as a pillow? I can totally get used to that.”
“That’s the master plan.”
Chapter Twenty-Three
Reid
I got the ball rolling the next day. The first step: I called Marion and invited her to come to my office. I waited for her next to the door, standing. I didn’t plan for this conversation to last very long, but I was a face-to-face kind of guy—especially when it came to difficult things.
I checked my watch a few times, pacing around. She was late.
“We could at least have met at the bar,” she said lazily when she finally graced me with her presence.
“This is not a friendly catchup. And you’re late.”
“Same robot as always.” She rolled her eyes, sitting on the couch in the corner. I stayed on my feet.
“And you still have no respect for my time.”
“Can I at least get some coffee?”
“No. This won’t take long.”
She flashed me one of her fake smiles. “So, to what do I owe the pleasure?”
I was in no mood for chitchat or pleasantries, so I cut straight to the chase.
“I spoke to every single TV executive and investor behind your show. It’s not happening anymore.”
The smile froze on her face. “You can’t do that.”
“Yes, I can. I did.”
“I spent two years with you. Do you know how boring it was? You owe this to me.”
Her words would have cut deep just a few months ago, but now, honestly, I didn’t give one damn. All I wanted was to protect Hailey and my family from this circus.
“You’re the one who provoked me. I was willing to forget everything—just wanted you and Lincoln out of my life, but you just had to drag this out in public as much as possible. You thought I wouldn’t retaliate?”
“Is this because of that PR woman you’re parading around? If you actually thought that would make me jealous....”
“Leave Hailey out of this.”
She smirked. “Or what?”
“I’m not done with you, Marion. The show isn’t everything you’ve got to lose.”
I wasn’t going to allow her, the press, or anyone else to hurt Hailey in any way. They’d have to go through me first to get to her. Which was why I was changing tactics. A show of force was necessary. I needed to send a message. Loud and clear.
I met Lincoln in the afternoon. Seeing both of them in the same day was overkill, but I wanted to rip off the Band-Aid. No sense prolonging all this. I wanted to see Lincoln even less than I’d wanted to see Marion, but—again—I was a face-to-face kind of guy.
Lincoln opened his mouth the second he stepped in my office. “Reid. I’m sorry—”
“I’m not interested.”
“Then why am I here?”
“Because I will make a public statement about the affair. Your name will be included. And when you’re asked about it, I want you to confirm.”
He stared blankly. “You’re admitting to this publicly? I don’t believe it.”
“Believe it.”
“You didn’t even want to make a statement when you took over the hotel, for God’s sake.”
“This situation is different.”
I still wouldn’t do it for myself. But I’d swallow my damn pride before they paint Hailey as some homewrecker. I just hoped I hadn’t messed things up too badly already.
“What if I don’t agree?”
“You know better than to cross me. Marion thought she could; now she knows better.”
“What did you do?”
“She had the nasty surprise of every single backer pulling out of the deal this morning. Let’s just say her show isn’t happening.”
Lincoln blinked, shoving one hand in the pocket of his jeans. He ran the other one through his hair, a nervous tic he’s had for as long as I’d known him.
“Her show isn’t happening? Man, that’s a tough blow.”
“Not like she doesn’t deserve it. So, when the press asks for your statement, you’ll say...?”
I looked him straight in the eyes, so he had no doubt that there was just one answer.
“F-f-fine,” he stuttered. “I won’t deny it. It’s not like we’re still together. I was just her fun bit on the side. Made that pretty clear after I was jobless.”
Typical Marion. I wasn’t the least bit surprised.
“Good. See yourself out. I’m done here.”
I didn’t want this to last one second more than was necessary.
“Why didn’t you do this earlier?”
“I don’t like to flaunt dirty laundry in public.”
But for some reason, it was easier to put my pride aside for the people I loved than for myself. I just hoped it was enough.
***
Hailey
“You’re getting off the point. My personal life is not relevant,” I repeated into the phone for what seemed like the hundredth time.
“Come on, Hailey. Don’t be like that. Just give me something to write about.”
“I will, if you’re willing to talk about my client.”
“Davenport is
your client.”
I flexed my free hand into a fist to keep from breaking anything.
“We were talking about Cynthia here.”
“Look, I’m not interested in talking about that when there’s a hotter story out there. You have insider knowledge. Hell, you’re banging Davenport—”
I disconnected the call, dropping my head in my hands. Reid’s statement had come out last week, and it had been a never-ending shit-show ever since. My name was in the clear, but despite my best efforts, doing my job was becoming harder. My clients didn’t particularly care about my involvement with Reid, but the media outlets I was contacting on behalf of my clients did.
This was the fifth call today that had veered off course. I couldn’t go on like this. My clients counted on me to put out fires for them, and right now, it seemed I was just adding gasoline on top of everything.
A knock at my door jolted me out of my thoughts.
“Cameron, hi.”
“How is it going?”
I tried to smile, and failed. “Not well, honestly. I can’t do right by my clients, and it’s pissing me off.”
“Do you want Angela to do some of those calls on your behalf?”
I picked up a pen, playing with it between my fingers. My heart was beating wildly. If I accepted Angela’s help, it would mean admitting I couldn’t do my job well. But ultimately, I had to put my clients’ interest first.
“Yes, I think that for the next couple of days, it would be best. Just with the calls. Emails are okay, I can just ignore any random questions, but on the phone, I end up wasting so much time.”
“I’ll talk to her.” Cameron seemed to want to say something more but then just shook his head, leaving my office. A ball of fear lodged in my stomach.
Things will calm down eventually, I told myself. They always do.
I laid my forehead on my desk for a few beats, giving myself a few seconds to gather my thoughts, then straightened up and spun around once in my chair.
I was determined to kick ass for the rest of the day, not let anything ruin my mood. As proof that mental pep talks were effective, the next few hours were much more productive—especially once Angela took over my phone calls.
By the time I left the agency, I was actually whistling. Yes, whistling!
I was attending the launch event of a local designer, and then my sexy man and I were going to Friday dinner.
He’d passed the last one with flying colors—though I had the nagging suspicion that Jace and Will were feeling too sorry for the both of us what with the whole picture debacle to grill Reid properly.
Time would tell.
Even though the launch event was technically a work duty—Carlo, the designer, had been my client last year—I was determined to have a good time.
Once I was home, I changed quickly into a short orange cocktail dress. I twirled in the mirror, admiring my outfit. I was a total knockout.
I took a picture of myself and sent it to Val. Reid was going to jump my bones when he picked me up, and I wasn’t going to put up a fight. I slipped on my heels, twirled some more, and then ordered an Uber.
“You’ve done a fabulous job,” I congratulated Carlo after touring the venue. He’d chosen a different setup from the typical runway show. He had mannequins set out throughout the room—a sure-fire way to keep costs low.
“I think so too. This is my best collection yet. I need to make the rounds. Let me know if you want to buy anything. I’ll give you a friends’ discount. Fifteen percent.”
“Ah, you really shouldn’t have offered that.” I waggled my eyebrows. “I want to buy half the collection.”
“Go ahead. Just tell me what catches your eye.”
Oh, Carlo, Carlo.
I immediately found my way back to my favorite item: a floor-length red organza dress with asymmetrical shoulders.
I was running a list of pros (I’d look like Grace of Monaco) and cons (it was absolutely not in my budget) when Marion approached me. I’d noticed her earlier among the guests, but decided to pretend I hadn’t.
“I was wondering if I’d run into you here,” Marion said. “I knew Carlo used to be your client.”
“I have nothing to say to you,” I said calmly.
“Or I to you. Except, well, perhaps a friendly warning. Don’t get too attached. Doubt you’ll keep Reid’s interest for much longer.”
“Lucky I don’t care about your opinion.”
“Whatever you need to tell yourself to sleep at night. But you don’t really think he’d drop his standards so fast, do you? I mean, look at me, and look at you.”
I gripped my bag tighter, holding my chin high. I wouldn’t let anyone bully me, least of all Marion.
“I am looking at you. All I can see is a soulless person. Someone who disregards others’ feelings. Reid doesn’t care about you.”
Marion smirked. “Well, he doesn’t tell you everything, does he? You’d be surprised.”
What was that supposed to mean? My gut tightened, but I didn’t react. Marion was baiting me. Clearly, she wanted to drive a wedge between Reid and me, and I wasn’t going to let her.
“Let me give you a piece of advice: stop trying to get attention for all the wrong reasons. You won’t last in your industry if you keep at this.”
Marion bristled, and I walked past her, not interested in the slightest in continuing this conversation. I was also no longer in the mood to hunt for new outfits.
Despite my determination not to allow Marion’s words to get to me, I did feel off-balance. I tried to pull myself together by the time I stepped out of the venue at six o’clock. Reid was picking me up. He parked in the designated lot next to the building, getting out of the car and opening my door.
I sauntered in his direction, grinning.
“Right, we need to set some ground rules,” he said playfully, pulling me against him. “If you’re going out looking this gorgeous, I need to be on your arm.”
Reid drew his fingers down my cheek, tracing the contour of my lips before dipping his head to my neck. He drew the tip of his nose there too until I began to shiver.
“All I can think about is taking this dress off you.”
“Reid—”
He feathered his lips on the shell of my ear. “And I wouldn’t be gentle about it.”
My knees weakened, but I stood my ground, playfully pushing him away and pointing my finger at him.
“No dirty talk until we’re alone tonight.”
“We’ll see about that.” He gave me a wicked smile but opened the door for me.
“How was your day?” he asked once we were in the car.
“I have a rule too. No talking about work.”
But it was too late, because I was already thinking about the fact that every phone call turned into a circus lately. Marion’s words were also hounding me.
I chitchatted about Carlo, hoping Reid wouldn’t catch on, but of course he did.
“You okay?” he asked in a soft voice once we were almost at Val’s house. “You sound a little off.”
I nodded, willing myself to either gather my courage to ask, or just forget about Marion. Asking was the easiest way to get rid of any doubts, but I was afraid he’d get mad, accuse me of not trusting him... and even more afraid that he’d admit what Marion said was true. I was all about communication, but I didn’t see how this conversation could do anything other than sour our evening.
Compartmentalize, Hailey. Come on, you’re good at this.
When things went downhill in my professional life, I hung on to my personal life, and vice-versa. But now I felt stretched thin in every direction. I decided not to bring up Marion. She was a spiteful person, and I’d just come across as insecure. Goddammit, I was insecure, and I didn’t like the feeling one bit.
“Just wondering if my brothers will behave or not,” I said. It wasn’t a lie.
“Last week went great.”
“Ha, I personally think they went easy on you.”
> “Babe, they all like me.”
“I like that cockiness, Reid. Not sure it’s warranted, but I admire it.”
Chapter Twenty-Four
Hailey
“I demand to know every detail about the event,” Val commanded.
“Yes, ma’am.”
“Anything catch your eye?” Lori asked, eyes sparkling. “Do you have pics?”
“Unfortunately, I have tons. Carlo is too talented. But he did say he’s giving me a fifteen percent discount.”
Val batted her eyelashes. “Also applies to your sisters? Asking for a friend.”
“I’m sure I can use my persuasion skills and get a yes out of him. Let’s have a look.”
We all crouched on the swing Carter had set up on the porch. I was sitting in the middle, one sister on each side. I was soaking up all this sisterly love, and it was calming my inner turmoil.
I loved Val’s yard. Landon’s wife had designed it a few years ago. The jacaranda trees were especially beautiful. At the end of May, everything was already in bloom. The yard was an explosion of color. Vibrant green and light pink. Patches of yellow and violet could be seen here and there too.
I thumbed through the pics, oohing and aahing with them while we rated the outfits.
“This is great. You know what, I’m starting to get the hang of ordering everyone around,” Val said, rubbing her belly.
Right, considering Carter had ordered (ordered!!!) Lori and me to entertain Val while the rest of the group finished dinner and set the table, she was most definitely not getting the hang of it, but, umm... she had potential. She was calm, considering she’d been banned from her own kitchen.
“An appetizer for the ladies?” Reid said, coming out of the house with a tray of sandwiches.
“Oh, gimme, gimme,” I said. I was starving. “Thank you.”
“How is it going in there?” Val asked as we each took a sandwich.
“Everything under control. You ladies enjoy the sunset.” He winked before getting back inside the house.
“So, Reid doesn’t seem to be able to stay away from you too long,” Val commented.
“He doesn’t, does he?” I settled lower on the swing, smiling impishly, toeing off my shoes and gathering my knees to my chest. “Girls, I have a confession to make.”