Page 62 of Until Then

“Hmm.” Greer deepens her scrutiny on my hidden face. “Well, I’d like to see to it her name and connections aren’t used to drag her through the mud if things go badly.”

A spark of anger nestles in my chest. “I wouldn’t do that to Hayley, or her family, I’m assuming those are the connections you mean.”

Greer doesn’t ruffle under my briskness, merely hands me another contract. “I’m sure you think you won’t, but I’ve learned sometimes people like to save face and they get rather petty. Hayley is still trying to rebuild a few things since the last headline started to expose the truth, and she doesn’t ever want her ranch or business impacted because of bad blood.”

“I have no idea what you’re talking about. She said the ranch is struggling because of cancer treatments.”

Greer hesitates, then softly curses under her breath. “I assumed you knew. Forget it. Her grandpa’s cancer definitely gave it a financial hit.”

“Whoa, back up. What’s going on? Is someone harassing her because of the douche canoe?”

Greer’s mouth twitches. “Are we talking about Jasper?”

“Yes!” I flip my sunglasses onto the brim of my hat. “How many jerks has she been with?”

Greer fully smiles now. “We’ve all been with a few, right? Anyway, this simply states you will not speak of Sweet Cream Ranch negatively or Hayley in the event of a split or break up.”

“I’m not signing that.”

Now, it’s time for Greer to look like she might shank me. “She deserves protection, Mr. Hayden.”

“I don’t. Need to. Sign it.” I lean forward, holding her gaze. “I have no intention of ever breaking up.”

Greer’s face softens. “I love the enthusiasm, truly. Briar was absolutely shipping you two from the second you showed up atthe cocktail loft, but life does happen. You both already split once.”

“Correction—I was ghosted, but I digress.”

“Fine, but now you know her, you know more about her life. There’s more at stake now.”

“Look, Greer. I didn’t know who she was last time, but I found out. I could’ve slung mud about the very memory of her to people close to me, and I still didn’t. I didn’t want to because despite the little ghosting mishap, she meant too much.”

“I’m glad.” Greer’s voice is softer than before. “But . . . she has hurts, Noah. Hurts that she doesn’t share easily. And I really, really, don’t want her to get hurt again.”

Who’s hurt my wildfire? I’d like to know, I’d like to meet them personally. With a sigh, I hold out a hand. “All right. If it helps prove I’m not in this to hurt Hayley, I’ll sign all the things. But I’m not going to be another jerk in her life, Greer. The last thing I ever want to do is hurt her.”

“I believe you,” she whispers and watches me sign two lines on her gag orders. “Thank you. For what it’s worth, I think you two are great together. Want a bit of advice?”

I lean forward, hungry for any piece of information about Hayley Foster. “Would love it.”

“Hayley has reasons to be leery about a guy wanting her for the long haul. The only guy who’s done it has been family, like uncles and her grandpa.”

“And her dad?” I blurt out the question without thinking, only half aware it’s not really my business at all.

Greer blanches. “Let her talk about that loser.”

It’s a small answer.

Dad equals danger zone.

He must’ve been a total jerk if no one at her family’s table ever mentioned the man.

“Haze has reasons to be leery of you and your social status,” Greer goes on, “but . . . I’ve never heard her voice sound so peaceful, so purely happy, than I did last year when she called me the morning after you met.” Greer looks at the sidewalk for a breath. “I’m afraid, I’m the one who spilled the beans on who you are. I tried to tell her through the night, but she ignored me to be with you. Another thing that never happens. Don’t doubt that she feels—and deeply—about you.”

“It’s all right,” I say with a smile. “I knew it was a big risk to share my face, but I . . . I didn’t want her to go. I would’ve done just about anything to keep her.”

Greer’s eyes glisten. “Again, I believe it. Another reason I’m team Noah. Even if I came with a gag. I appreciate it.”

I give her a nod and watch her put the papers back in her bag.

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