Page 54 of The Expiration Date

Anna’s jaw drops, as does Dan’s, as does Haley’s. But I don’t care. I never want to spend a night without this woman. Especially after last night.

“Well…she’s all yours. Don’t be too rough with our girl.” Anna playfully winks at me.

“Oh my god, Anna!!” Haley exclaims out of complete embarrassment.

“Can’t make any promises.” If I thought Haley’s jaw dropped before, it is completely on the floor now. Her face turns the brightest shade of pink I’ve ever seen and it is also the cutest sight I’ve ever seen. I love making her flustered, especially since she now has a point of reference of what to expect from me.

“Thatta boy. Have fun, you two.” Anna waves at us, then turns her attention to some older guests who want to say their congratulations before their departure.

Out on the dance floor, I place Haley’s arms around my neck and my own hands on her waist. I make a mental note of where the zipper is located. Hell, I didn’t need to know that information, as long as it is material that can easily rip, I’ll be fine. She will never wear this dress again, even though she looks like a total knockout. She is rocking this light yellow dress and here I thought lavender was her color. Who am I kidding? Haley could be wearing a fucking potato sack and she would be the most stunning woman in the world.

Haley is looking everywhere but up at me. Her face is still flushed.

“Where’s your head at Hales?”

“Oh my little old head, maybe it completely exploded back there where Anna and Dan are sitting after you told them that you were going to be ‘rough’ with me.”

“Those were Anna’s words, not mine.” I laugh. “And did you want me to lie to your best friend?”

Haley finally shoots me a look and her nose crinkles up like it does when she is upset. I can’t take her seriously when she looks like that. It’s the cutest face I’ve ever seen.

I return her look with a big smile. “That’s what I thought.”

“Why are you smiling like a goofball?”

“Because you’re cute when you crinkle up your nose when you’re mad.”

Haley purses her lips together, trying not to smile from my comment. I hold her tighter to me and feel every curve of her body meld into mine. I want to get in that head of hers. I know she is overthinking. “Seriously, what are you thinking about?”

“You.”

“What about me?”

“How you didn’t hesitate in defending me with Robert. How you actually punched him.”

“Are you mad at me for that?”

“Not mad. Just confused. I mean, you are so concerned about your image in Hollywood. That was the whole point in us dating, right? For you to return to your Golden Boy status? I’m just scared that if we continue this relationship back in L.A. and someone even looks at me the wrong way – which, let’s face it, would probably happen because not to be a broken record, but look at you and look at me – that you are going to fight every person who talks ill of me. People are going to talk and criticize and doubt this. I don’t want you to have a reputation you don’t want, especially when I know the real you – or at least, I think I do.” She looks down. She is starting to doubt it, which is so insane given everything we’ve been through these past three years – and more importantly, all that we’ve been through and discovered about each other these past couple of weeks.

“You’re right. I will take down anyone who talks bad about you because you’re my girl. And let them talk, Hales. People love to talk about things they know nothing about. They just want the attention. We know what we have and that’s all that matters. I will punch a million Roberts if they ever talked to you or touched you like he did. All I care about is what you think of me. No one else matters.”

I can tell by her small smile that she isn’t convinced. I have an idea that will hopefully bring her out of her own head.

“Stay right here. Don’t move.” I run over to the DJ and ask him to play a song that I know is one of her favorites. It’s one of my favorites too.

I jog back to Hales and resume our position.

“What song did you request?” she asks.

“You’ll find out in about five seconds.”

Jazz music blasts on the speakers and Harry Connick Jr’s voice takes over the night air. Haley recognizes the song immediately and she flashes me her immaculate smile. “It Had To Be You? Really?”

“I know it’s your favorite. And I have it on good authority that it’s this version specifically that you love the most.”

“Oh do you now?”

“Yup. Rob Reiner has good taste. I’m going to have to tell him that the next time I see him.”

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