Page 77 of Love Like This

“Had? You doing okay today?” Daisy asked, once they were aloneagain.

Hadley forced a smile and leaned against the sales desk. “Have youever had one of those days where it felt like the day was having you? You justwatched as the world took you down?”

Daisy grimaced. “They’re the worst.”

“They are.”

“I don’t know if it will help, but I ordered in milkshakes from anapp on my phone. Chocolate with Oreos for you. Banana nut for me. Thought maybeyou could use a pick-me-up. I know I could.”

Hadley wasn’t sure why, but the kind and thoughtful gesture wasthe little push that did it, causing her, right there in the middle of herplace of business, to burst into tears. “I’m sorry,” she said, resorting towindshield wiper hands. “I don’t know why I’m crying. I mean, I do, but Ishouldn’t be doing it. At least not here. Maybe don’t watch.”

Daisy’s arms were around her immediately, and their warmth andstability helped her work her way back to a place of control. “I’m going totake a minute in the office,” she finally told Daisy.

“All the time you need. I’ll drop that shake off when it arrives.”

Hadley squeezed her hand. “You’re a really good person, Daisy. I’mlucky to have you.”

Daisy blushed. “Thanks, Had. I feel the same way.”

Hadley was battling two very distinct emotions and, once alone inher office, she let them go to war. She was likely in love with Spencer andwanted nothing more than for her to stay right where she was and explore a lifewith Hadley. God, she wanted that for them so badly it physically hurt. YetSpencer had shown signs of discomfort as things between them progressed. Shedidn’t fault her for that, but it didn’t change the facts. What was more,Spencer had a life-changing opportunity placed in front of her. Hadley stood,crossed her arms, and walked the small length of the office. If she gave it allup for Hadley, what then? Would she resent her down the road and always lookback at this time in her life and wonder “what if?” Of course she would. Notonly would she be the girl who stole a drawer, she’d be the girl who stole herfuture. No. Not okay. She couldn’t be the one to stand in Spencer’s way, asmuch as she hated what that meant for her own life and what she would losepersonally.

“Shake’s here,” Daisy said, and placed the Oreo goodness on herdesk.

“Thanks, Daze. I need this.” She picked up the shake and went totown, eating her feelings without delay while part of her began to loosen hergrip on something wonderful. It’s what you did for people you cared about, andshe more than cared about Spencer.

She loved her.

As she made her way to Spencer’s place a few minutes later, shedidn’t permit herself to remember their hours lying in bed, cuddling, laughing,and talking. She didn’t envision the amused smile Spencer got on her face whenHadley said something overly whimsical or how she’d tuck the hair behindHadley’s ear while she listened to her tell a story. She also didn’t dwell onthe high she’d been on ever since their first big bang kiss, when she knewSpencer was different from everyone else she’d ever dated. If she did thosethings, she wouldn’t make it through the next part of this.

“Hey,” Spencer said with a grin, as she opened the door. “Come in.Minnie was just smacking me around like a bitch while I tried to retool mywebsite.”

“Well, that sounds like a win-win.” Hadley smiled and allowedSpencer to steal a kiss as she passed. She touched her lips, holding in thatkiss for just a moment longer.

“You got off early.”

“Daisy had things under control, and I wanted to see you.”

Spencer surveyed her living room. “Ignore the mess. It’s anothershipping day.”

“It’s very you,” Hadley said, taking her hand and leading her tothe couch. “Do you know what else is you?”

“What?” Spencer asked with a tilt of her head. She immediatelypulled Hadley’s feet into her lap, removed her pumps, and went to work,massaging away the stress of the day. The familiar ritual only made thingsharder.

“Designing in Paris.”

Spencer paused her progress and looked up at Hadley. “I alreadytold you I’m not taking it.”

“That’s a mistake and we both know it.”

Spencer pulled her face back, squinting. “Where is this comingfrom? Just this morning you begged me not to.”

“I know. I fully realize that, but I was caught off guard andleading with emotion which, you’ve probably realized about me, is my default.”

“I happen to like your default.”

Hadley pulled her foot back and sat up straight. She had toorganize her emotions to fit her logic on this one and not the other wayaround. It was too important. “The more I think about it, the more I realizethat you have to do this for yourself, Spencer. You’ll regret it if you don’t.I saw the look in your eye this morning. You were trying to find that commonground, anything to make it happen. I’m here now to tell you that itcanhappen. It should.”

Spencer didn’t say anything, appearing to take it all in. Sherolled her lips in as she contemplated. “Yeah, but I can’t leave now. We’rejust getting started.”

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