Chapter 33
CHAPTER 33
Brian was sitting down at a table with a plate of croissants and two coffees when Haleigh walked into the café across from Sundae’s Sanctuary a few hours later.
“Hi.” She dropped into the chair opposite him, pulling her freshly washed hair into a wet bun on her head. “Thanks for meeting me so early.”
“How was the interview?” Brian smiled, but it was a little uncertain. “I was hoping maybe we were meeting to celebrate.”
Haleigh sighed. “They told me they’d be in touch, but I’m not hopeful.”
“They’re tasteless hacks then.”
“I flubbed the last question hard. I was too nervous and couldn’t articulate an answer.” She pointed to a croissant. “Is one of these for me?” Brian nodded, and she grabbed it, tearing it in half to have something to do with her hands. “I basically told them I had no new ideas for their catalog.”
Brian cringed. “Ooof.”
“Anxiety’s a hell of a drug.”
He took a sip of his coffee. “Well, you never know. They could surprise you. And if they don’t, Everly still needs someone at Sundae’s.”
Haleigh had to close her eyes for a minute. He was too kind. Always. “Brian.”
“Haleigh.” He tapped her hand with his cup. “I know why we’re here. Our last date felt off. And our texts lately have been…”
“Meager?” Haleigh suggested.
That hesitant smile flashed across his face again. “That’s a good word for it.”
“I just…” She glanced away from Brian to look out at the rest of the café. “It’s Jack.”
“I figured. No one knocks back that many of Stanton’s disgusting light beers for the fun of it.” He was smiling at her, but she could see the disappointment in his eyes.
She felt it too. Picking Jack was the right choice, Haleigh had no doubt, but it came with its own losses. She’d never know what she and Brian could have been if Jack had never thrown himself into the date-pocalypse.
Haleigh blew out a breath. “I didn’t think he’d ever feel the same again. And he does. And I need to see it through. If I don’t, I’m afraid he will always take up too much room in my heart.”
“I’m glad at least that it’s not because I don’t like to read,” Brian said with a laugh.
Haleigh snorted. “That was rough.”
“I could tell. I was half expecting to get a mailbox full of books this week.”
“I could still do that if you want.” She raised an eyebrow.
“Please no. I don’t need more doorstops.”
The noise that came out of Haleigh was somewhere between a laugh and a choke.
“But seriously.” He reached across the table and gently touched her arm. “I appreciate you telling me.”
“You deserve honesty.”
He shrugged. “People seem to find it easier to ghost these days.”
“People suck.”
He chuckled at her sharp tone. “True.” He tore a piece off his own croissant and folded it into his mouth. “I’m serious about the job, though. I hear it’s a great place to work.”
“Says the man who owns it.”
He laughed louder this time, and his smile was broad and sure. “We don’t have to be weird. We had a few good dates. Got to know each other. Seems like a good way to jump-start a friendship.”
Haleigh settled back in her chair, relief washing over her. “I’d like that.”
“You’re just not invited to any staff outings for music bingo.”
Haleigh squawked. “You were no better.”
“Eh, I got more right than you did.” He used his croissant to point at her in emphasis.
“You were the one who was sure ‘No Scrubs’ was Beyoncé!”
“Yeah but we could have taken round two if you hadn’t said Panic at the Disco sang ‘This Ain’t a Scene, It’s an Arms Race.’”
“Fine. I agree to avoid all music bingo events.” She unfolded her arms and smiled. “And I’d love to take the job.”