Page 87 of All Signs Point to Malibu

“Liam and Sonia deserve a nice wedding,” she says as she ties off a mesh bag with a bow.

I used to think so, but the more time I’m spending with Liam and seeing just how stressed he is, how much he’s giving up, I’m not so sure this is the best decision for him. Of course, I’d never say that.

I’d been hoping Hailey would.

“Since when do you support this union?” I ask, reaching for another little champagne bottle and cramming it inside the bag with two chocolates.

She notices and shakes her head. “One white chocolate, one milk chocolate.”

I glance at the bag and see two white chocolates. I switch one out and wait for her to answer my question.

She sighs when I continue to stare at her expectantly. “Look, I can admit when I’m wrong. And besides, they’re grown adults—they can make their own life choices.”

“But isn’t your entire career based on helping people make decisions?”

“For theircareers. I’ve decided love lives are none of my business.”

What about her love life? Where’s that at?

We continue to work in silence, but now all I can think about is whether or not she’s seeing anyone. Or if there is anyone special in her life... Work seems to be her priority, but oh shit, what if she’s bringing a date to the wedding? My invite includes one, but I’d never bring a woman to a wedding—sets up a lot of...expectations and whimsical thoughts.

I clear my throat. “So, um... Are you bringing a plus one?”

She pauses. “Hadn’t even really thought about it.”

Do I look happy about that?

She studies me. “You?”

“I don’t think so.” The answer is definitely no, but I’m keeping it open in case she does decide to bring someone and I have to send out an emergency date request text to one of the women on my contact list.

“I’m sure you’ll be able to work your way through the bridesmaids by midnight,” Hailey says.

Ouch. That gut punch hit harder than it should have.

A few weeks ago, she’d probably be right in the assumption. And maybe I haven’t had a come to Jesus moment based on one night of passionate sex with her, but I do feel different...or at least I think I want to be in my approach to relationships.

In my silence, she glances at me. She must see the impact of her words as her expression softens. “Sorry, that was mean.”

I shrug. Can’t fault her for the truth. After all she’s experienced my love ’em and leave ’em approach for herself. Or at least she thinks she has. “My reputation may have warranted the comment.”

Our gazes meet and hold and Hailey looks away first. She finishes the final favor and suppresses a yawn. “That’s the last of them.”

I check my watch as I get to my feet—painfully as the muscles in my legs have seized up from sitting cross-legged. It’s almost 3:00 a.m. “I guess I’ll see you in...six hours.” The wedding prep starts at 9:00 a.m. with the ceremony scheduled for one.

Hailey nods as she walks me to the door. “See you in six hours,” she says.

I open the door and go to leave. Then stop, close it again, and turn back to her. “Hey, about the other night...”

We need to address it. I need to address it.

But Hailey waves a dismissive hand. “Don’t sweat it. It’s not like it meant anything, right?”

Right there, that disappointing sinking feeling in my gut, confirms I was hoping it did. “No?”

Hailey hesitates, but then she shakes her head. “’Course not. And after tomorrow, once Sonia and Liam say ‘I do,’ I can go back to being nothing more than the woman who ruined your career.”

As much as I’d love that, she’s become so much more. She’s gotten under my skin in a different way. I’m not sure how I feel about it, but not having her around will definitely leave a void. We’ve been spending so much time together, I’m not sure what I’ll do once that ends. But if she’s not feeling the same connection...

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