Hook Me Up (Business Of Love Book 3)

by Ali Parker

  “Hailey,” I said sternly. “Fuck that guy.”

  She took a breath and nodded. “You’re right. Fuck that guy. He doesn’t know us.”

  “Damn straight. This is the best thing I could have asked for.”

  “Really?”

  “Really. New York has been great but one thing has been missing since I got here. You.”

  She blushed again. “Jack. Don’t sweet talk me.”

  “I’m not. I mean it. I’ve missed the hell out of you.” All of a sudden, I knew what I wanted. “Move in with me.”

  “What?”

  “Move in with me. Take as much time as you need to get settled. It’ll be like old times. Save some money and start on the right foot here.” I wanted to give her every opportunity possible to make this work. I knew Hailey wasn’t flush with cash and I also knew she’d never accept an offer of money to get on her feet, but she might accept free housing. “I hate how lonely my place feels and I want to share it with my best friend.”

  “You’re sure?”

  “I am absolutely fucking certain, Hails. I am so certain that I’m going to close and lock this door, and you and I are going to go shopping for new furniture for your room. Call your sister and tell her not to bother sending the dresser and the bed. She can keep it for her spare room. We’ll set you up with some new stuff.”

  “Jackson, you don’t have to.”

  “I want to.”

  Her eyes searched mine. “At least let me buy lunch?”

  “Deal.”

  Hailey looked anxiously around the furniture store as I threw myself face first onto the fully made display bed. The duvet puffed up, and the pillows fell over, as I rolled onto my back to clasp my hands behind my head and grin at her.

  “Don’t be such a goody two shoes,” I teased. “Come on. Test it out.”

  “Jackson. These aren’t for rolling around in. They’re for looking at.”

  “We’re going to spend money here. Who cares?”

  “I care.”

  I groaned. “Party pooper.”

  Hailey stood on high alert as I climbed out of the bed. As soon as my feet hit the floor, she was tugging at the edges of the duvet, straightening the pillows, fluffing them up, and folding the top of the duvet down just like it had been before I unceremoniously fucked it up.

  I linked an elbow through hers and pulled her forcefully away from the still somewhat messy looking bed. “You need to relax, Hails. These folks work on commission and we’re going to give them a wicked payday. I assure you they won’t mind if they have to make a bed when we leave. A little bit of fun never hurt anybody.”

  “They shouldn’t have to clean up after us.”

  I rolled my eyes. She was missing the point. I didn’t think they should have to clean up after us either, but I planned on finding a good consultant we could goof off with while we shopped, give them a killer sale and a tip, and leave them in a better mood than they were when we arrived.

  “You’ll get it by the end of the transaction,” I said confidently.

  We found a salesman named Hugo. He wore a fanny pack for his insulin and apologized mid-sale when he had to step off the floor and inject himself. Hailey told him we didn’t mind at all and he didn’t have to leave, but he explained it was store policy. Neither of us liked that very much and Hugo waved off our concerns, explaining it wasn’t a big deal and every job he’d ever had had been like this.

  Hailey stood with her arms folded as we waited for him to come back. “We’re going to buy from him, right?”

  “Definitely,” I said. “Don’t hold back. If you see it and you want, let’s get it. That includes artwork.”

  “I don’t need the sky, the moon, and the stars, Jackson. I just need the essentials.”

  “Nope.” I shook my head. “You get it all. Let’s make this feel like home.”

  She flashed me one of her charming smiles before twirling around and taking a seat on a blue-velvet chaise lounge. She ran her fingers over the soft fabric and leaned back before kicking up her heels and stretching her legs out on it. “Fine then. I want this.”

  “Consider it yours.”

  “And a matching overhead lamp so I can sit by the window and read.”

  “There aren’t any windows in your bedroom.”

  She sat up straight. “What? No windows?”

  “I didn’t tell you? Your room is more of a linen closet than an actual room. Rent in New York isn’t cheap, Hails. Don’t be ungrateful.”

  Dimples pressed into her cheeks as she grinned and shook her head at me. “I am reconsidering all of my choices.”

  I laughed. “I kid. Of course, you can have the lamp. And the chaise. What else do you want? Plants? Candles? A rug?”

  “All of those things.”

  Hugo returned with a pep in his step and nodded at the chaise. “Nice, huh? We just had it delivered this morning. Haven’t sold any of them yet.”

  “You just did, man,” I said. “We’ll take it. Hey, do you have any of those electric scanner things couples use for wedding-gift registries?”

  Hugo arched an eyebrow. “Uh. Yes, but I hardly think your guests will want to buy you a six-thousand-dollar chair.”

  Hailey popped out of the chair like it was on fire. “Six-thousand dollars?”

  Hugo nodded.

  I chuckled at the pair of them. “No, we’re not getting married. We’re outfitting her new room with everything she wants and I figured it might be faster if we just scan it all and then give you the list.”

  Hugo looked like he might need another shot of insulin. “Are you for real, sir?”

  “Yes.”

  Hugo scratched the back of his neck. “Okay. Let me see if I can find one for you folks. Sit tight.”

  Hailey giggled and plopped back down in the chaise. “I think you blew his mind a little. How much is this all going to cost, Jackson?”

  I offered her a hand to pull her back up on her feet. “It costs what it costs. No time to dilly dally, my lady. We have shopping to do.”

  She squealed with delight, interlinked her fingers with mine, and gave them a squeeze as we made our way down the winding aisle of the store to seek out the pieces that belonged in her dream bedroom.

  Naturally, I found the most hideous things possible and tried to convince her they were her style.

  Chapter 13

  Hailey

  The sun was shining but it wasn’t hot enough outside to sit on a patio for a late lunch with Jackson after our afternoon of shopping.

  Or should I say spending?

  Holy hell. Jackson didn’t even blink when Hugo told him the price of everything, whereas I considered opening my purse so I could puke into it.

  Fourteen grand. Just like that. On little old me.

  There was no way I could make it up to him. Jackson always made me feel like I was home even though I was far from it. He didn’t make me feel guilty for letting him spend money on me, either. He made me feel loved.

  But still, if I sat and thought about it too long, it felt like way too much.

  “Stop it,” Jackson said as he sipped the foam off his beer.

  “Stop what?”

  “Thinking about the money. I wanted to spend it, especially on you. This was the plan the whole time, Hails. Had you said yes the first time I asked you to come to New York, I’d have bought a bigger place and had you weigh in on which one you liked so you could pick your own damn room. You’re worth every penny. I mean it.”

  For the hundredth time that day, my cheeks burned. “I appreciate all of this more than I can say.”

  He lifted his beer. “Cheers to being in the same city again.”

  “And fresh starts.”

  “And old friends.”

  “And boujee new furniture.” I giggled.

  We tipped our heads back and sipped our drinks. I’d ordered a fruity virgin cocktail with sparkling water and watermelon syrup and fresh berries floating around the glass. It paired well with the
flatbread appetizer we ended up sharing, which was drizzled in a delightfully sweet and tangy balsamic glaze.

  With a full belly and an even fuller heart, I leaned back in my chair to admire the man across from me. My best friend. Wherever he was, I needed to be. He was where I belonged. I knew that now.

  I felt better in that moment than I had since the second he left. What more did I need to know?

  “So what does this mean for you and work?” Jackson asked, licking balsamic off his thumb in a dangerously sexy way that made my insides squirm. “Did you quit?”

  I shook my head. “I requested a transfer. It’s pending as we speak. If all goes well, I’ll be starting in the New York office on Monday.”

  “Transfer? Why not just bail and jump into something you know you’ll love? You hate this shitty job anyway.”

  “I don’t have any other immediate options, Jackson. Besides, one big life change at a time is enough. I already feel bad enough for leaving without having a proper goodbye with Azira. She’s not going to be happy with me when she shows up for her shift on Sunday morning and I’m not there.”

  “But she’ll be happy for you,” Jackson said pointedly.

  That was probably true. Azira had never understood my desire to climb the corporate ladder in the first place.

  “Seriously, Hails. You’re better than that place by leaps and bounds. Why not take this as a chance to figure out what you want to do? Take some time off. Clear your head.”

  “I can’t just quit, Jackson. I have responsibilities. I’m not a worldwide celebrity like someone at this table who can get away with not working for months on end.”

  Jackson rolled his eyes dramatically. “Celebrity? Please.”

  “It’s true. You help people find the most elusive thing in the world. It’s admirable. And you deserve the money and the status. I’m just saying I don’t have the same opportunities. I have to keep my head down and get the work done and invest in my future. I’ll get my big break one day. I just have to work hard and earn it.”

  Jackson set his beer down, pushed the wooden board covered in the remnants of our flatbread aside, and rested his elbows on the table. “What if I was your big break?”

  I frowned. “I don’t follow you.”

  “Come work with me. I’ve been looking high and low for an assistant with the right energy and passion. We could work together. Think of how good of a team we’d make.”

  I shook my head. “No, Jack. I need my own thing.”

  “You could make it yours. Do the job how you want. I won’t micromanage you. Fuck that shit.”

  I sighed. His intentions were good but he was missing the point. I was my own woman. I already felt a little burdened by taking his fourteen-thousand-dollar handout this afternoon. Now he wanted to offer me a job?

  No.

  How was I supposed to feel like an independent woman when I was accepting everything he offered me? I’d been raised to work for what I had. I wasn’t going to let that slip away simply because I was getting good offers.

  “I can’t,” I said. “I appreciate it. But I want to make my own path. I have to.”

  Jackson drained the rest of his third beer. “I understand. Just know the offer stands as long as I do.”

  I smiled and nodded pointedly at his empty beer glass. “Thank you. But that might not be very long at the rate you’re going.”

  Jackson threw one arm in the air. “Another round!”

  I laughed and so did he, and it was only a matter of minutes before another beer was set down in front of him and I had another fresh virgin cocktail. We sipped at our drinks and ordered more food.

  It was just like old times back in Nashville.

  Jackson and I used to spend countless evenings on patios or in bars sipping drinks and sharing appetizers until our bellies were full and his head was buzzing. This felt like it was going to be one of those nights. I had yet to see his place and I was looking forward to seeing the new digs and checking out what my room looked like.

  Knowing Jackson, the place would be modern, edgy, and sleek. There’d be plenty of natural light hopefully and probably incredible views of the city.

  I never imagined I’d be lucky enough to live in a city like this with my very rich best friend. And yet, there I was.

  Jackson caught me smiling at him as he worked on his fourth beer. He arched a dark eyebrow. “What?”

  “Nothing,” I said hurriedly. I shifted the subject. “How’s Katie? Have you talked to her recently?”

  “Yep. She’s good. She’s the one who got her hands on those signed copies of those W. Parker books for you.”

  “Oh!” I cried. “Yes! Thank you so much for those, Jack. I already finished one. It’s beautiful. And the autographs? I couldn’t believe it. I really appreciate it.”

  “It was all my sister. She made it happen.”

  “Because you asked her to.”

  He chuckled. “Maybe.”

  “Does she still love living at the resort? How’s her promotion going?”

  Jackson rubbed his jaw. “She’s head over heels in love with her work. She and I are too much alike. I doubt she’ll ever leave that place and I’ll be stuck seeing her for holidays or just a few visits out of the year when our days off line up.”

  “It’s not hard for her?”

  “What?”

  I shrugged. “Working with honeymooners and making their dreams come true when all she’s ever wanted is that for herself?”

  Jackson didn’t say anything for a minute. “We don’t talk about it much. Or about how badly she wants to be a mom.”

  I nodded. Why would she want to talk about something that brought her down?

  Jackson and I talked about things that didn’t matter for the rest of the evening, and by the time we made our way out onto the sidewalk, Jackson was eight beers in and he definitely had a stagger to his step. So I slid under his arm and he draped it over my shoulders while tipping his head back to grin up at the night sky.

  I couldn’t see a single star. The lights from the city were too bright.

  “I’m glad you’re here, Hails,” he said.

  I pressed a hand to his stomach as he leaned a little too far forward. “Me too. How would you have gotten home without me?”

  He chuckled. “I suspect you don’t want the answer to that question.”

  Right. This was Jackson I was talking about. If I hadn’t been here to walk his drunken ass home, he’d have called a car for himself and whatever bombshell big-boobed babe he’d stumbled into at the bar. She’d be giggling and smiling and laughing at his jokes while she flipped her hair over her shoulder.

  I cleared my mind of those thoughts as we walked home. Jackson gave me directions until he pointed out a high-rise condo with a dramatic entrance and massive plateau balconies edged up the side like farming terraces. It was an architectural masterpiece.

  “You live up there?” I asked as my jaw nearly hit the sidewalk.

  “No, Hailey Brown.” Jackson clicked his tongue and let his arm fall from my shoulder. “We live up there.”

  Chapter 14

  Jackson

  I woke up with a mouthful of my own pillow on Saturday morning. It tasted like fabric softener and cotton and my mouth was dryer than the pillowcase. I pushed myself up and looked around my room through blurry eyes.

  My head felt like there was a jackhammer going off against the inside of my skull, reminding me I wasn’t a twenty-year-old anymore who could drink and not suffer the consequences. My lips were dry and my stomach unsettled and I knew I needed water and a shower, in that order.

  Getting out of bed had the room spinning within seconds. I braced myself on the edge with my feet flat on the floor and waited for the dizziness to pass.

  “How many beers did you have last night?” I wondered to myself. Eight? Nine? Something along those lines. Usually, I could drink way more than that. “One of those nights, I guess.”

  My phone lit up on my nightstand when
an email rolled in. It was business related and today was not a workday for me, so I ignored the email but checked the time. It was half past seven. A lot earlier than I expected.

  With a tired, self-pitying groan, I forced myself to my feet.

  As I swayed on my feet, I heard a horrible retching sound.

  I frowned. What the hell is that?

  I padded across my bedroom floor. My door was half open and I wandered groggily down the hall until I reached Hailey’s bedroom. Her door was open a crack. I knocked softly.

  “Hails?”

  She didn’t answer.

  Concerned, I let myself into her room. The place was still a bit of a mess. The furniture we’d scanned while working with Hugo yesterday hadn’t been able to all come home with us. We’d brought a couple of pieces, including the new bedframe, mattress, and blue-velvet chaise, but the rest of it was arriving on Monday or Tuesday, right around the same time as the rest of Hailey’s items were expected to arrive from Nashville. The room was a bit of a disaster and would take some TLC to fix up together.

  I heard Hailey throwing up again.

  I went immediately to the closed bathroom door and pressed my cheek to the door. “Hailey? Are you okay? What’s going on in there?”

  The toilet flushed and the faucet ran. The water turned off and the door opened and I found myself looking upon Hailey, who stood on the other side in her matching pajamas. They were navy blue, slightly oversized, and covered in small white polka dots.

  Hailey slumped against the doorframe and peered up at me with red-rimmed, glassy eyes. “Did I wake you up?”

  I shook my head but didn’t tell her it was my pounding head that had woken me. “No. But I heard you when I went to take a shower. Are you okay?”

  She dragged the back of her hand across her mouth. “Ugh. I woke up feeling like shit. I thought maybe it was something we ate. But you feel fine?”

  Aside from the dizziness, headache, and rolling stomach? “I feel fine. Maybe it’s just a combination of stress and travel? You might have caught a bug on the flight.”