Page 78 of Craving You

Dinner smelled delicious and he had a feeling he was going to agree with just how amazing Chloe’s enchiladas are.

“Just in time!” Jade called out when she saw him. The kitchen table wasn’t set, but Chloe was making up their plates.

“What can I do to help?” he asked.

“Hailey wanted to eat in the living room,” Ashlynn told him. “We set up snack tables for the two of you. She’s already changed into her pajamas, so if you want to change too…”

Laughing softly, he shook his head. “I’m fine, but thanks.”

Within minutes, the girls all said goodbye, the dogs were fed and he let them out to run around the yard, and he and Hailey were sitting on the sofa with a Mexican feast in front of them.

“Is this…”

“They’re virgin margaritas,” she said, picking up her glass. “And they’re delicious.”

Taking a sip, he had to agree.

“Okay, what are we watching?”

Hailey grinned at him. “I hope you don’t mind, but I’m a sucker for Hallmark movies. There’s one on now and it’s one of their wedding ones. I read the book, and the movie’s definitely different from it, but I still love it. Is that okay?”

Normally, this would be torture for him, but she looked so happy that he didn’t want to say no. “Um…sure. Why not?”

She didn’t look like she believed him, but she still turned it on and then settled in to eat.

The enchiladas were amazing. The brownies were decadent and delicious as always.

And the movie was surprisingly entertaining.

But once it was over and he cleaned up the dishes, he saw that Hailey was yawning and looking like she was ready to crash.

“Hey,” he said quietly. “Why don’t you go up to bed? I’m just gonna finish straightening up, get the dogs settled for the night, and maybe go and check some emails.”

Standing, she stretched. “I know it’s early, but I just can’t seem to keep my eyes open.”

Walking over, he gently pulled her into his arms. “It was an emotionally exhausting day. You’ll feel better after a good night’s sleep.”

She yawned again. “You’re right.” Stepping back, she looked up at him. “Don’t stay up too late. It was an exhausting day for you too.”

Unable to help himself, he caressed her cheek. “I promise I won’t work too late.”

With a brief nod, she moved in close again and kissed him on the cheek. “Goodnight.”

“Goodnight, Hales.” He watched her walk away, but didn’t move until he heard her bedroom door close. They had been sharing a room now for more than a week, but tonight he was going to sleep in the other guest room. Hailey needed her sleep, and he was afraid of waking her up when he finally went to bed later.

For the next fifteen minutes, he put the snack tables away, wiped down the kitchen counters, and then just roamed around the downstairs to make sure everything was back in the pristine condition he knew Billie appreciated. He called the dogs and it took a few minutes to get them inside and calmed down. He got everyone some fresh water and talked to them as he led them down the hall to the room his brother set up with all their beds. Once they were settled, he put the gate up to keep them from roaming all over the house.

Then he went up to his apartment and checked emails, ran some reports for his clients, and tried to get ahead on some agendas for the next week. By the time he was done, it was after eleven and he knew Hailey was sound asleep. It would be easy to just sleep right here in his apartment, but he hated the thought of her being alone in the house. If she woke up with any pain or any other issues, he wanted to be close by.

The events of the day were catching up to him and walking back down the stairs and over to the house took way more effort than normal. Inside, he locked up and trudged up the stairs to the guest room.

Stripping down to his boxer briefs, Max slid under the blankets and immediately turned out the light. He yawned before rolling onto his side to get comfortable.

“Maybe I should have checked on Hailey,” he murmured, rolling back onto his back. Turning his head, he glanced at the bedside clock. Eleven-twenty. For the next five minutes, he tried to convince himself that she was fine and didn’t need him checking on her and that he was being a little too overprotective. She was probably thankful to have the bed to herself.

Closing his eyes, he let out a long breath, telling himself it was okay to go to sleep.

That’s when the door slowly creaked open.

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