Chapter 17
ELODIE
“The recruiter has some great offers, including Haven Crossroads." Sutton tosses her phone on the mattress and watches me fret over clothes. "They probably assume it's an easier transition since I'm moving back to the state.”
I peruse my earrings as I listen. “It could also be because you were promoted in the last two years. Working in legal isn’t easy. I would love it if you moved back, and even more if you worked at the same company as me. I think you want to, as well. Why else would you be out here for interviews?”
She presses her lips together and takes a tick to think.
“True. I mean, it could be because of Olivia in HR and her influence,” she ponders.
“Sorry this is a quick stop. I have to catch a flight back. Happy I could be of service, though. Nothing like watching your friend being a nervous wreck because some gorgeous man is taking her on a date.”
Checking the mirror, I see her smirk to herself in the reflection. “I’m not ner—” She gives me the warning scowl not to finish my lie. “Fine. Ooh, if you move back, then I can totally set you up with someone.”
“Up for consideration, but no diverting. I guess this isn’t your usual date, considering you both share a daughter. Still, he'd better bring his A-game to woo you.”
Grabbing my lipstick from the dresser, I pause as one thought comes to mind. “I have zero doubt with Hayes in that department. He’s someone who goes all in. I’ve learned that quickly. I’m just curious what romance is to him.”
“I don’t know, but thankfully, Savannah is watching Lola so your date can turn into breakfast.” Hayes picked Lola up and brought her to Julian and Savannah’s place.
“Only if he impresses me,” I joke. Deep down, I’m very aware of how this night is going to end. It would have to be a colossal disaster for it not to. I step into the middle of my room and smooth my dress. “What do we think?”
Sutton’s eyes blaze open with a smile on her face. “Love it. Black, tight, yet classy. Ditch a sweater so he has no choice but to give you his blazer.”
“Uh. One, we don’t know that he’s wearing a blazer, and two, it’s November in Chicago, so I will take a pass on the lack of sweater.”
She shrugs. “Logic wins. Seriously, no hints? He hasn’t said anything about where he’s taking you?”
I shake my head. “Since the chickenpox fiasco weekend, he has been super busy and had a business trip. Our contact has been about Lola, with the occasional flirty text thrown in. I’m not sure if keeping it all under wraps was intentional from Hayes or simply that work has been chaotic.”
“Both explanations are fair.” She claps her hands together like a little penguin. We share an elated look until hers simmers down. “Elodie.”
“Yeah?”
“I don’t want to dampen the mood, but I’m your friend and I also work in law.
Just… be careful. Friends who work in family law have shared stories how things can get out of hand.
Don’t be blindsided or put in a position where arguments happen.
Not saying that’s going to happen. Nothing about the guy says red flag.
But I care about you, so all I’m saying is go at your own pace. ”
Wow. That’s a mood killer, even if from a place of concern and love. I only consider it for a second and send it to a corner of my brain. “Thanks, but it will be okay.”
Sutton’s assurance returns across her face. “Good.” Her smile grows wide. “I am so excited for you. I really wish I could hide to watch him pick you up, but I need to head to the airport.” She stands and begins to gather her purse and phone.
“If you decide to take a job here, then we won’t have to worry about airports.” I give her a knowing look.
“Yeah, and I’ll also have to deal with my parents telling me to come home every weekend for dinner. Speaking of which, how are your parents coping?”
My shoulders sag, and I blow out a breath as I return to my dresser. “They haven’t met Hayes yet.”
Sutton laughs. “Take photos of that first meeting. Lola will want to see someday.”
“They’re meeting at Thanksgiving.”
She looks at me as though I’m crazy. “You two are brave, but at least united in bravery.” Her phone beeps, and she checks real quick.
“My ride will be here in five.” She comes to give me a hug, and it’s tight.
“I guess I don’t even need to tell you to send an SOS text if needed.
You’re with Hayes. You put on the new lingerie, right?
” She’s double-checking considering she brought me the gift.
I shake my head, amused. “Yes, thanks for the, uh, thoughtful lace.”
“It was a joint effort. Savannah was in on it, too.”
I walk by her side as we head to my front door. “Thanks for stopping by. Sorry, we couldn’t meet somewhere for a coffee or something, I just didn’t have a lot of time today.”
“This is ten times better. You’ll have a great night. I know it.”
“It’s odd to feel calm yet nervous at the same time. It feels unusual but makes sense, too,” I admit.
“Probably because it’s right. Enjoy it, Elodie. You deserve it.” She smiles. “Have fun.”
One last hug, and she’s gone.
The moment I open the door, deep red roses nearly hide Hayes from view where he stands in the hallway. Instantly, I form a giant smile.
“Last time I showed up at your door with flowers, you didn’t want them.
I’m hoping my luck has changed,” he explains and steps to the side as he hands me the bouquet.
His shirt is fresh, a dark blue with the top two buttons undone.
This is Hayes’s out-of-a-suit-yet-still-formal outfit. Either way, his eyes stand out.
“Debatable.” I catch Hayes eyeing me up and down.
He whistles through his teeth. “Wow. That’s, uh, a dress.” He swipes his thumb across his jaw, and he seems pleased with my outfit choice. “We could maybe skip dinner.”
“Or not. Let me just get these in a vase, and then we can… Wait, what are we doing?”
“You’re going to put the roses in a damn vase while I wait here so I don’t rip that damn dress off of you and order in dinner.
” He props his arm over his head against the door.
I remain in a stoic expression, and he cracks his signature grin.
“A dinner surprise. And excuse me, it’s been a day.
Envisioning you under me aside, you really do look beautiful. ” He’s sincere.
It causes me to blush, and I need to speed us along, otherwise I will give in too.
He waits for me at the door, and I quickly pop into the kitchen to fill the flowers in a vase, then return, grabbing a coat in the process.
At the elevator, he steps to the side to let me go in first, and this is my sign that many doors will be opened for me tonight. A man of manners.
In the elevator, I quickly glance at my phone. “Sorry, I haven’t heard from Savannah yet. Everything okay with dropping Lola off?”
He punches a button on the wall. “Yep. No need to worry.”
“Are you sure?”
He observes me and lets out a laugh. “Completely.”
I glance at a message from Savannah.
Savannah
Your kid is the worst. I need her to misbehave, otherwise Julian will want to speed up our family-planning timeline. Enjoy tonight.
Swiping my screen closed, I ease it back into my purse, but I still feel the fluttering in my stomach. “It’s silly. I’ve left her alone with them before. I’m just…”
Hayes steps forward and touches my elbows. “Nervous? Never left her because you’re on a date? Nervous because of us?”
I look away, my smile straining, because he has me figured out. “Something like that. But my phone is away now, and I promise not to look again.”
He holds out his palm. “Give it to me.”
“What?”
His fingers indicate that I should hand it over.
“Your phone. Give it to me.” He steps forward, causing me to lean against the wall.
I already feel the heat between us intensifying.
Then his lips nuzzle against my forehead.
“I want your undivided attention, and trust me, you won’t want to be distracted either. ” His murmur is pure swelter.
I lift my nose, our faces inches apart as I give him my phone. “Is that so?”
“Very.”
We’re saved by the elevator opening because my instinct is to kiss him, and not a peck, either. We create space again, and already my body is heightened for the night ahead.
He stuffs my phone into his coat pocket. “Good girl.” Those two words and his low voice cause goosebumps because it is hot as hell. We’re not even ten minutes in, and I’m already fanning myself.
The driver is waiting for us when we exit the building, and even though I’ve been in this car a handful of times now, tonight feels different. It’s not part of a routine. Hayes opens my door and waits for me to slide into the back seat, and he follows.
When the car moves, my curiosity is at its peak. “The plan is?”
“You’ll see.” The corner of his upper lip snags as he seems pleased with himself.
“Hmm, a man of mystery.”
He gives me a wide-eyed facial expression. “Let’s not tie me to a mystery considering how that panned out for us last time.”
“True.”
The rest of the short drive, we chit-chatted mostly about our day at the office. Hayes didn’t want to give any clues away.
With the car now at a stop, I barely notice when Hayes gets out and holds the door open for me. I’m too engrossed in studying where we are. It’s basically a back door at the beginning of an alley.
“Okay, now I’m really lost.” I accept his hand and get out of the car.
His smirk is comforting. “It’s the back door to Two Tomatoes.”
“Really? I guess I’ve never been here. Only heard about it.”
“New owners, new location, apparently. Easton recommended it.”
“We are out of the office, so I can say with honesty that, considering who gave you this recommendation, I’m a little concerned. This is probably his location for his many conquests in the women department. I'm going to assume you did some vetting before this.”
“Oh, I did.”