Everything I Dreamed (Everhope Road #2)

17. Hailey

17

HAILEY

A s soon as I turn from my front path onto the sidewalk heading down the street, I hear my name being called.

“Hailey.” Esme prances toward me. “Where are you going? Want to order in with me? Keats went to see his sister.”

“Uh, I can’t.”

“Okay. Plans? And why are you in yoga pants and sneakers?” She assesses my outfit.

“Because…” Think . “I thought I would start power walking. Yep. A great form of exercise.”

She looks at me oddly. “Power walking? You?”

“Totally. Try new things, right?”

Esme ogles me then lifts her nose to look over my shoulder. “You know, a certain someone lives in that direction.” She smiles playfully.

Shit. Do not blow your cover, Hailey.

“Oh? Well, I do need to power walk along the sidewalk.”

She throws a thumb over her shoulder. “But not that way?”

“Esme, seriously. No need to play detective. Nothing is going on, and if I need to see Oliver it’s because we are in charge of watering my brother’s plants while he is away and we only have one key.” Phew, good story.

She brings her hands to her hips, trying to figure out if I’m lying or not. I passed high school drama class on the honor roll, so I think I’ve succeeded.

“Okay. Enjoy your walk. Is this like an everyday exercise regime?”

“Yep.”

“Cool. Alright, well, careful with the mosquitos.” When she wanders away, I sigh in relief.

Cover story one out of the way. I guess I’m now having daily power walks. That isn’t exactly a bad thing, it’s great for your health.

I embark on my stroll and wave to a neighbor mowing the lawn and another going for their evening jog. The sun is out but rain will come, I smell it in the air. Or rather, the humidity indicates that a storm will burst and bring a breeze.

It always interests me how lots of ancient cultures connect spirits with nature, weather in particular. It can be very telling about current life events. Right now, my energy is shifting.

Arriving at Oliver’s house, I double-check that nobody is taking notice. Oliver sent me the code for the door, as he wanted to stop by the grocery store.

The moment I’m inside and clicking the door closed, a new smile graces my lips. It’s a manly home, could use a little color. Gray and navy-blue throw pillows. Everything is new, with Scandinavian design, and an open floor plan. I notice the wind chime that he got me on our road trip. It’s lying on the long side table along the wall where a few hockey-related copper statues rest and a big bowl in the middle. Gravity pulls me straight to the chime, and I pick it up with the sound of the bamboo sticks bumping.

It mixes with the sound of Oliver entering from the garage at the end of the hallway. He stops near the kitchen island to set the grocery bag on the counter, only to then lean against it. He crosses his ankles and arms as he observes me.

My eyes flick up to greet him. “You said you would hang it at your house so I don’t jinx my dreams, but now I wonder what are your dreams.” Vulnerability is thick in my voice.

It has dawned on me that he is doing so much for me, but I’m not sure what ambitions he has in life or what he could want that might feel out of reach.

He scratches his cheek, perhaps contemplating or simply not wanting to share. “I haven’t put it outside, sorry. I mentioned I would when we got it.” Ah, so he is avoiding my question.

I’ll let it go. I spin on my feet and teeter straight to the sliding door. “Then we must hang it. Maybe something will come to you with the breeze that will bring signs through the chimes.” It sounds silly, but I mean it. I want him to be happy with whatever that may be.

Well, maybe not another woman, because that would just… I guess… cause a crack inside of me now that I’ve crossed the line with Oliver involving things I’ve only fantasized about.

I can’t see him, but I know he’s approaching, and every step he takes is like walking up stairs, except it’s up my spine with a tingling wave.

“I think there is a hook near the patio light. For hanging plants or bird feeders. Can’t say that I’ve used it. Otherwise, I might have to find the hammer and a hook.”

Crossing the frame of the door, I search and then spot exactly what we need, and I nearly march straight there before I stand on my tippytoes and stretch my body up to hang the wind chime.

From behind, a pair of warm and strong hands brace the sides of my body as I lower my heels to find earth. I’m getting tucked into his arms that loop in front, and I lean back into his body.

This is heaven.

In his hold. Me and him. Our own quiet world.

He kisses my hair right next to my sensitive earlobe. “You can take it home. You’re getting what you imagined.”

“Not yet. Besides, we need to unlock what you’ve been waiting for. The world has many roads.”

“And your body is my map.” His ragged tone breathes along my neck as he is clearly in the mood to ravish me, and although it’s in my favor, something nags at me.

“Well, before you strip me naked, can we establish that I’m well aware that you’re avoiding any effort from me to discuss you?”

The moment that he abandons me, I regret that I pressed because being in his embrace is by far better.

He rakes his hands through his hair. “Not avoiding. Just not sure what to say. I barely think past next week. Why don’t we just leave it that I’m happy that you’re a step closer to your preschool.”

Gently I shake my head. “But that’s me. I want some attention on you so we can make your non-dirty wishes happen.”

Oliver lolls his head to the side. He’s the opposite of annoyed, appreciative perhaps. “Hailey, really. Right now, there is no need to push the topic. I’m content. Even when I got approached again the other day about a job in New York, I said I wasn’t interested.”

“You got a job offer?” I’m surprised. “I remember you mentioning on our drive to the wedding that you got an offer way back, I just didn’t think it was still a factor.”

He shrugs a shoulder. “It would be a big opportunity working for the league at headquarters. Maybe if the terms and package were right I would consider, but to be honest, I don’t think I would want to leave Everhope because I’m content here.”

I still feel like he’s holding back something, but I can’t pinpoint it.

“Well, if you say so.” My lips pinch, and I give up because I’m not entirely convinced but he doesn’t want to budge. So, I give up. “Okay. Little things then. Dinner? I can cook simple things.”

“No, you can’t. Remember, we’re not strangers.”

My sight drifts up to the sky. “Exactly, so you know that I love rain, and it will be here soon. Last time, I was stuck with you in a storm, we created our own.”

Oliver instantly sputters a laugh. “That is one hell of a line.” He hooks his arm around my shoulders and walks by my side to guide me back into the house.

“It is, isn’t it,” I proudly admit.

I help him unpack the grocery bags, and I determine that a roast veggie and couscous dish it will be. When I’m distracted grabbing various dishes, Oliver grabs my wrist to stop me.

“Maybe dinner can wait? You have two options. Kitchen table or we actually make it to my bedroom.” That cocky grin causes me to forget that humans need to eat.

Dropping the wooden spoon onto the counter, I throw my arms around his neck and kiss him longingly because his plan works too.

“Whatever you say, Husband.”

It only encourages his hunger for me. He lifts me, and my legs tie around his waist. His intention is to carry me upstairs.

It is still my intention to break away the pieces to discover what Oliver is thinking.

But I’m not sure that day is today.