Page 14 of Inviting Trouble
Hailey opened the door and beamed her dazzling smile, pale blue eyes bright. She wore a pink fuzzy sweater with pink pants, looking all perfectly made up, even for a Sunday at home. “I knew I’d hear from you today. Come in and tell me everything.”
Mad stepped inside the cozy little space filled with all sorts of girly stuff—a floral sofa, wood end tables, lamps with little fringes on the shades, romance novels and wedding magazines on display in a bookcase and on the coffee table. Hailey was an unabashed romantic. As a wedding planner should be.
Mad flopped on the super-cushy sofa and sighed. “Nothing to tell. Park still thinks of me as one of the guys.”
Hailey cleared a space on the coffee table in front of Mad and slid a coaster there. “Did you wear your black skinny jeans like Charlotte told you to?” The women had all discussed her outfit at the bar, knowing what little she had in her closet.
“Yes!” she barked.
“Lemonade, tea, or water?” Hailey inquired.
“You don’t have to get me anything. I don’t even know why I’m here. I should be studying. I have a stats final tomorrow.”
“Sounds like tea,” Hailey said, heading to the nearby kitchen. Her apartment was pretty nice, a living room open to a small dining area and kitchen, a bedroom, and a tiny bathroom. It was the lower level of a colonial home owned by a single career woman, who was rarely home.
Mad followed her into the kitchen.
Hailey set a teakettle on the stove top. “Now what makes you think he sees you as one of the guys?”
“He called me little bit and mini. I’m sure I would’ve heard shortstack if he’d paid more attention to me than my brothers.”
“But that’s cute.”
“No, he’s got me in the friend category. I know when I’m in the friend zone with a guy, believe me.” She was too mortified to share that Park had zero reaction to her in nothing but a towel.
Hailey gave her a sympathetic look. “I guess you of all people would know since you have so many guy friends. Gosh, I’m so sorry.”
Now Mad felt even worse. Hailey was a die-hard romantic. Evensheknew there was no hope.
“But don’t worry!” Hailey caroled, back to her normally cheerful determined demeanor. “I’ve got your back. This is no problem.”
“How is it not a problem?”
Hailey unveiled a plate of freshly baked chocolate chip cookies and Mad nearly cried. They were her favorite, they were effing delicious, and she just knew Hailey had made them special for her, knowing she’d need to talk today after she was so worked up over Park yesterday. She was so damn thoughtful that way.
“Cookie?” Hailey asked.
Mad pressed her lips tightly together.I will not cry, I will not cry. I’m tough. I’m strong. I’m fierce.
Hailey set three cookies on a small plate in front of Mad and then turned to the cabinet for some teacups, pretending not to notice Mad was on the verge of tears.
“Who the fuck needs men anyway,” Mad snarled.
“Amen, sister,” Hailey said, reaching for the tea bags.
Mad warmed to the topic. “I mean, why make a big effort when all they care about is big tits anyway?”
“Preaching to the choir,” Hailey said.
Mad couldn’t help but laugh because Hailey actually had big tits. But Hailey had so much more going for her than her looks. She was so damn skilled at the subtle art of conversation, of flirting, of just about everything when it came to social situations. She could even reach Mad where she was, pissed off and frustrated. She wished some of Hailey’s people skills would rub off on her.
Hailey grinned and leaned against the counter. “I can’t wait to meet him at the wedding.” They’d all be heading up to Maine next weekend for her older brother Jake’s wedding to an honorary book club member, the actress Claire Jordan. Claire was pretty down to earth once you got to know her. Jake had planned the wedding around when Park could be there.
“Why do you want to meet him so much?” Mad asked.
Hailey shook her head and smiled. “Silly! Of course I want to meet the guy who got you so worked up. He must really be something.”
He waseverything.
