7. Halliday
7
HALLIDAY
I speed up, eager to get to the breakfast meeting with Sterling to talk about last night’s date with Juliette.
She was early. I spotted her across the restaurant moments after Sterling asked me to tell him about my family. I never got to go over date preparation with him before she arrived. But I’m sure he coped fine.
Juliette seemed happy when I made the introductions. Her eyes lit up, and I didn’t miss the way they roamed over Sterling’s muscular frame in his suit after he kissed her hello on her cheeks and complimented her.
Sterling Beaufort is charming.
A gentleman.
A silver fox.
Of course she found him attractive. I just hope there was a deeper connection once they had dinner and got to know one another.
I thank the doorman of the hotel, The Songbird, as I walk inside and head to their ground floor restaurant. Sterling stands as I approach. He’s wearing a deep blue suit today and silver tie that matches the flecks in his stubble.
His eyes drop over my workout tights and vest and unexpected heat fires low in my belly as I approach.
“Good morning.” He kisses my cheeks, one hand wrapping around my upper arm as he holds me close.
“So? How was it?”
His hand lingers on my arm for a moment before he lets go. Energy zings around my system. It’s Juliette. It must be. I could feel her attraction to him last night. I didn’t get much of a read off Sterling. But I’m sure his attraction came later once he talked with her.
I knew he’d be quick to match the moment I met him. I could sense it. This is what the universe wants.
“Been working out?” Sterling eyes my rosy cheeks, and I wave a hand in the air, wanting to get straight to the point as he pulls my chair out for me.
“I went to a sunrise yoga class I found online. They do it in the park. Quite uplifting. Maybe you can come next time?”
His eyes dance with amusement. “Maybe.”
“So?” I eye him across the table as he takes a seat opposite me, unable to hold back my beaming smile. “Last night?”
“Last night, you looked beautiful. Were you going somewhere special after I saw you?”
I laugh, recognizing his compliments as deflections. If he’s feeling coy about talking about his date last night, perhaps it ended in more than just a goodbye.
“I went for drinks with Sinclair and Zoey.”
“Ah.” He leans back in his seat, his eyes roaming over my make-up free face and messy bun. His eyes soften but before he can say anything, the server comes to take our order, pouring us both a coffee.
“So last night? How was it?” I ask once again, lifting my cup to take a sip.
“A disaster.”
I almost spit out my coffee.
“What? Why?”
Sterling sighs. “The restaurant screwed up and her entrée had gluten in. She felt sick even before the main course arrived. I dropped her home less than an hour after you left.”
My mouth drops open. “Oh god. Poor Juliette.”
“She’s okay. I called her this morning and checked.”
“Oh?” Maybe all is not lost. “You exchanged numbers? That’s great.”
“She had some interesting PR ideas I thought Sullivan might like to discuss with her for the new launch.” Sterling lifts his mug and takes a slow mouthful, his eyes holding mine over the rim.
I watch his tongue dart out to lick his lips between his silver stubble as he lowers it.
The milk from my coffee curdles in my stomach. I don’t get these things wrong. I can’t afford to get them wrong. My business is new, but I’ve amassed a powerful reputation for success from the high-profile clients I have matched. A reputation I need to maintain at all costs.
“So there wasn’t a spark? You didn’t feel anything?”
“No.” He places his cup down and watches me with interest.
My neck heats, and I run a hand over it as I glance around the restaurant at all the other diners enjoying their delicious breakfasts.
I might be sick.
I drag in a slow, deep breath. “It’s fine, don’t worry. You’d be surprised how many times the first match isn’t the one. Sometimes it takes a few dates before we find that connection, no matter how good it seems in theory.”
Juliette seemed perfect on paper. But I have to trust the energies when people are brought together physically. Sometimes the link just isn’t there.
It’s fine. I’m not going to fail.
“Okay. So, the next date. I’ll arrange it for tomorrow night. How’s that sound?”
Sterling’s expression stutters. “That soon?”
“Are you busy?”
“No. I can make it work. But Hallie?—”
I stiffen and concern paints itself over his face.
“You don’t like being called Hallie?”
“I…” I blink rapidly, my throat tightening. “My sister was the only one who ever called me it, that’s all.”
“Your sister?”
I nod, unable to answer as my throat burns.
He leans forward, resting his forearms on the white tablecloth. “I’m sorry. I didn’t know. I should have realized last night when you looked… I don’t even know why I did it. It just slipped out.”
“I…” I search for the right words, but none come.
I know why.
“I’m the King.” Jenny laughs. “And you’re Queen Hallie. Now we get married.” We hug each other, gripping on tight as the homemade crowns we spent the afternoon gluing and covering in glitter fall over our eyes. Jenny presses a sloppy kiss to my cheek. “Happily ever after for Queen Hallie.” She kisses me again. The music she’s put on changes to another song. “Now we dance.” She beams as she begins to sway. I rest my head on top of hers as we move together, closing my eyes and getting lost in the music.
“When did you lose her?” Sterling asks softly.
Understanding fills his eyes. He knows what it’s like for your family to shrink. And for you to be unable to do a thing about it.
“Five years ago. Jenny caught pneumonia and…” I inhale shakily, my fingers trembling around my coffee mug. “She was only eighteen.”
“I’m so sorry.”
“She had so much love to give. The purest heart, honestly.” I blink rapidly. “It’s why I started Cosmic Connections. She would have loved to have heard about the matches I’ve made. All those love stories starting out. She believed in love more than anyone I’ve ever met. She was love. I miss her every day.”
“It never gets easier. Time, I mean… you just get better at coping with it. But it never hurts less. Not really.”
Sterling’s warm voice wraps around my cracked heart, and I nod, fighting back tears.
“No, it doesn’t.”
“Forgive me, Halliday. I didn’t mean to?—”
“It’s okay. I like talking about her. Don’t apologize for making me think of her.”
Or for calling me Hallie, like it’s a sign from Jenny.
“She loved love stories. We would curl up and watch romance films together. She’d pick the most unlikely pairs, hoping they’d get together, even if she already knew they weren’t the ones supposed to get the happy ending.
“Honestly, the whole of New York makes me think of her. She wanted to visit the Statue of Liberty. See her crown.”
I look into Sterling’s eyes. I’m the one who’s supposed to be helping him. Not the other way around.
“So the next date?” I sniff, forcing my voice to brighten.
His gaze never falters. Almost like he sees the most broken parts of me, and they only make him want him to look more.
He nods, his tone soft. “The next date.”
“It’s trickier than I anticipated.” I place my bottle of juice on the counter and wander toward the window.
“So you’ll be there the whole month?”
“I… No, I don’t think so. He’s more closed off than I anticipated, but it’ll be fine,” I tell Sophie as I lift the frame.
Jenny’s bright smile shines back at me.
“You don’t need to worry. I’ll be back in plenty of time to prepare for being the coolest Auntie that ever walked the earth.”
“You better.” Sophie sighs. “I miss you.”
“I miss you too.”
“I bet your parents are missing you as well.”
“They are.” I place the frame down, facing the window. “Mum calls at least once a day... So does Rory.”
“Rory?”
“Yeah.” I bite my lower lip at Sophie’s exasperated huff.
“Halliday, you need to get it through to him that he needs to leave you alone. This is getting ridiculous. It’s been years. I told you, just give me the word and I’ll have a restraining order like that.”
She snaps her fingers down the phone. She has no idea how tempting her suggestion would be if it weren’t for my knowledge of what Rory might do in retaliation.
“Mm, remind me again…. This baby daddy of yours… Didn’t you have one against him?”
Sophie curses good-naturedly as I steer our conversation away from Rory.
I knew Drew Harper, the man who chased her for years, was special. I could tell by the energy she gave off when she spoke about meeting him on a blind date. He wasn’t even her date. But the universe didn’t care. When it wants something, it wants something.
And it wanted Sophie to start a family with Drew.
It didn’t matter that she’d jokingly threatened him with a restraining order when he was persistent.
They were inevitable.
“Just be careful,” she warns. “I don’t like how he’s trying to weasel his way back into your life. You should have been able to escape him all the way over in New York.”
“He suggested he visit me.”
“Asshole.”
“Well, he’s not coming,” I scoff.
I can’t think of anything worse than having Rory here. It’s bad enough that he happens to be visiting his parents, who live next door to my mum and dad, whenever I’m at their house, which usually results in us all having dinner together. If it weren’t for the support from his family over the years, then it might be easier to get him out of my life.
Unfortunately, it’s not.
“Sterling called me Hallie,” I blurt.
“Sterling?” Sophie’s usually calm voice hitches. “How did that make you feel?”
“Like she was right there in the room with us.” I sniff as hot tears well in my eyes. “Like she was… It’s too crazy to even say out loud.”
“You thrive on crazy.”
I laugh. “I know, right?”
She stays silent as I sniff a couple more times and swipe my palm over my hot cheeks. But I can hear her gentle breathing as she waits for me to be ready.
“He…”
I swallow as I recall the way my hand felt inside Sterling’s. My fingers pulsed with energy long after he let it go.
“I feel things when I’m with him. All this wild energy. It’s like a dam waiting to burst. He lost his wife and son. We must be connected through grief, it’s the only thing that explains it. He’s twenty years older than me.”
“It’s not the only thing that might explain it.”
“No way.” I shake my head.
Sophie’s being ridiculous. Pregnancy hormones must be affecting her logic. She’s always the logical one. I’m the one who is swept along by ideas that arrive on the wind.
“You always said love knows no age.”
“I am not a match for Sterling.”
I run my hand around the back of my neck. It’s burning hotter than my cheeks did when he told me I looked beautiful.
“I’m not. He’s fifty. He’s my client . And he’s also going on a date with an absolutely incredible woman who I’m sure is going to create a vibration strong enough to shake the whole of Manhattan when he meets her.”
“Whatever happens, just know that I love you,” she says. “Remember that.”
I drop onto the couch and blow out a breath. “I love you too.”
There’s a hammering at the door, and the sound of giggles float through, accompanied by an excited yip.
“Just a second,” I call out.
“I’ve got visitors,” I say to Sophie as I walk to the door.
“I’ll let you go. Have fun. I’ll call you later.”
“Look after that bump,” I say, hanging up.
I peer through the spyhole. Zoey’s brandishing a take-out bag, and Sinclair is standing next to her, waving Monty’s paw in the air.
“Let us in! We brought food,” Zoey shouts.
“And furry snuggles,” Sinclair adds.
Smiling, I open the door and they barrel inside. It’s not even been a week, but these girls are already friends. Zoey was true to her word last night, taking us to a beautiful lounge with the best mocktails I’ve ever had. One where we weren’t bothered by anyone all evening.
Sinclair knew the owner and we were escorted straight to a private area where they regaled me with gossip about a model who was caught sucking off a rival designer backstage at Sinclair’s latest runway show. All the while wearing the show designer’s key piece, which she then got his excitement all over. She then strutted down the runway in it before the designer ripped it from her as she came off stage, then threw her out by her hair. Turns out the rival designer was her ex-husband who always had an eye for the models, even during their marriage. Obviously struck a nerve.
The distraction was exactly what I needed after hearing Sterling call me Hallie.
“What’s the occasion?” I ask as Zoey places the take-out bag on the kitchen counter and presents a hidden bottle from behind her back with a flourish.
“Oh? Just this!” Sinclair shifts Monty to one arm and grabs Zoey’s left hand, thrusting it into my face.
“An iceberg that’s about to sink the whole upper west side?” I squeal as I take in the huge diamond on her finger.
“And it’s a Beaufort,” Zoey trills.
“Please.” Sinclair rolls her eyes. “Like Ashton would let you have anything else. We are the best.” She bounces on her toes. “It’s gorgeous, isn’t it? It’s a custom design, based on the new line. No one’s even seen any of the new settings yet.”
I learned all about Zoey’s fiancé, Ashton, last night over drinks. He’s an artist who fell in love with Zoey when she posed for him and became his muse. His most famous work is of her. But he’d never seen her face and didn’t know it was her when they first met. They almost didn’t end up together.
I tilt her hand so I can admire the intricate swirls of platinum that the diamond is mounted with. They make a B shape, with a smaller yellow diamond nestled inside.
“Hidden treasure,” Sinclair muses. “Sullivan’s idea. He has some good ones.”
“Some?” I arch a brow as she deposits Monty into my arms so she can help Zoey as she opens cabinets and takes out glasses and plates.
Monty licks at my chin happily, and I tickle behind his ears.
“Ignore her. She’s feeling bitchy because she saw darling brother leaving The Lanceford last night,” Zoey says as she forks noodles out of a container onto plates.
“That’s a luxury hotel, right?” I ask, picturing the sleek black exterior that I walked past on my first day here when I was getting my bearings.
“Yep. Close to his office, and our store on Fifth.” Sinclair snorts. “He’s making it convenient for himself.”
“I don’t understand.”
“He fucks the women he picks up there. Only my brother would permanently book a multi-million-dollar apartment he never intends to stay more than a few hours a week in.” Sinclair screws up her face in disgust.
“It’s true.” Zoey lifts her brows as her eyes remain on the task of plating up the food. “He takes them there, then leaves a couple of hours later. Always a different woman… or two.”
“It’s gross. At least when he had his old place downtown, I didn’t have to see it. I can’t believe he’s moved his man-whoring pad to my neighborhood.” Sinclair grimaces as she pops the cork off the champagne, then takes a swig straight from the bottle. “Ugh, I forgot. It’s alcohol free.” She puts the bottle down with a heavy thud.
“You didn’t have to get alcohol free just because of me,” I say.
“We did. You inspired us to be healthier. Zoey and I decided we won’t drink Monday through Thursday. Why couldn’t I have seen Sullivan on a weekend? I need a drink after that.” Sinclair snorts.
Zoey pushes three plates piled high with food across the counter as Sinclair pours the champagne into three glasses. I slide into a seat, still cuddling Monty in one arm.
“Sullivan doesn’t have a girlfriend, then?” I ask as I get comfy and try the champagne. The bubbles fizz on my tongue. They have all the flavor I like. But none of the problems that alcohol can create.
“Not for two years, since…” Sinclair shrugs, fiddling with her necklace instead of saying the words out loud.
“He regularly beds women in his little pad that he thinks is a secret, though,” Zoey adds. “Just never anything serious. Same as Sterling.”
The hairs on the back of my neck prickle at his name. Of course I know he’s probably been intimate with other women since losing his wife. If he hadn’t, then my job would be even harder. It would be a sign he might not be ready.
“Dad doesn’t have a special apartment for it, though,” Sinclair says. “And I really don’t think there have been many, not like Sullivan.”
The knots in my stomach ease enough that I’m able to eat the noodles I’ve twirled around my fork.
“You’ve got another date lined up for him, haven’t you?” Sinclair asks.
“I have. She’s really nice. I’ve met her in person before. She didn’t match with a previous client, but she’s keen to meet someone. And she loves animals.” I stroke Monty with one hand where he’s curled himself up on my thighs.
“She already sounds good.” Sinclair beams. “Do you think Dad will like her?”
I lift my glass and swallow some champagne, but it does nothing to ease the sudden dryness in my throat. I can still feel the way his fingers threaded through mine. Feel the rough graze of his stubble and the soft contrast of his warm lips as he kissed my hand.
“I hope so,” I answer truthfully because Sterling liking her would make sense.
Him and a beautiful, educated woman at a similar stage of life makes sense.
Him and I… do not.
United by the shared pain of grief. That’s all.
My phone rings on the counter and my stomach clenches. It better not be Rory calling again. I’ve managed to send his last two calls to voicemail, but I know that won’t deter him for long.
“Here you go.” Sinclair hands it to me, and I read the name on the screen.
“Deborah?” I smile as I answer. “How are you? Did you want to discuss your date with?—?”
I snap my mouth shut with a frown as Sterling’s potential future tells me that her grandmother was taken ill, and she’s flown home to Maine to care for her.
I end the call.
“She’s not coming, is she?” Sinclair’s disappointed eyes search mine.
I shake my head. “Family emergency.”
She turns her attention to her plate and stares at it, pushing a piece of chicken around with her fork.
“But it’s fine. Have faith.” I reach over and squeeze her forearm.
“Your dad will probably be relieved.” Zoey winces. “He doesn’t sound like he’s onboard with the whole idea.”
“I guess I hoped he would come around when the time came. That he’d see…” Sinclair sighs and looks at me. “I hoped when you arrived that the rest would be easy. That it’d be this instant thing that would happen. Like magic. And that he’d know I was right to bring you to him.”
“He’s making progress,” I say. “Last night’s date didn’t work out. But it wasn’t his doing. It just wasn’t meant to be. He seemed happy about having another date when I met him this morning.”
“Really?” She smiles hopefully, and guilt tugs at my stomach.
Sterling didn’t exactly jump for joy. But he did listen intently as I told him about Deborah and how I’d planned tickets to a symphony show for them to enjoy, and suggested he send her chocolates on the morning of their date because she doesn’t care much for flowers.
He was even smiling as he kissed me goodbye on both cheeks, his hand finding my lower back and creating a centering warmth as he pulled me closer to him with the perfect amount of pressure.
And he smelled incredible. Woody, warm, spicy. A scent that had me breathing in and being filled with a sense of hope. Like the sparkly glow of a flame illuminating the dark.
I should call him and tell him to make sure he wears that cologne on his dates.
Sinclair looks between me and Zoey. “I just want him to be happy. He deserves it after everything that’s happened.”
“He does,” I agree. “And I will do whatever it takes to help bring it to him.”
“Thank you, Halliday. I know you will.”
“I have other potential matches to explore. And he has a lot of female acquaintances. I’d like to meet more of them and get a feel for things. Maybe he already has a friendship that he’s held himself back from and needs a little encouragement to see what’s in front of him.”
“What about the fundraiser?” Zoey asks as she scoops up some rice from another container and puts it on her plate.
Sinclair gasps. “Yes!”
“The one for the children’s charity? That’s perfect.”
I sit straighter in my seat, energy buzzing up my spine. I was going to ask Sterling about the fundraiser after seeing it mentioned on Lavinia’s business website. She’s one of his acquaintances that I’m eager to meet, but she’s been out of town.
“Almost every woman Dad knows in New York will be there.” Sinclair squeals as she jumps off her stool and grabs her phone from her purse. She places it on the counter, putting it on speaker as it rings.
“Dad?” she gushes the moment it connects.
“Hi, Sweetheart.”
The deep rumble of his voice washes over me like a tropical wave. Monty lifts his head from my legs and tilts it to one side, looking at me with shiny black eyes.
“I’ve got a great idea about the fundraiser on Thursday.”
“However much you need, just tell me, I’ll add it to my contribution.”
“No, not that. You’ve been generous enough already. This is about you.”
“Mm-hm.”
I shift in my seat, and Monty tilts his head to the other side.
I’m fine , I mouth.
“Halliday’s going to accompany you. That way she can meet some of your friends.”
There’s a pause, and for an excruciating moment, I think I’m going to hear something I can’t unhear. Like Sterling listing off excuses not to spend the evening with me.
“I’d be honored. I’ll call her and suggest it.”
My heart beats wildly in my chest at the lift in his voice as though he likes the idea.
“No need, Dad. She’s sitting beside me.” Sinclair grins at me.
“Ah, I see.” He chuckles. “Hi Halliday.”
“Hi…”
“Is my daughter taking you out for another night out?”
“We’re having take-out,” Zoey chirps.
“Hi, Zoey.”
“Hi, Mr. Beaufort.”
Sterling’s chuckle deepens. “I’ll leave you ladies to it. Have fun.”
“We will.” Sinclair makes a mwah sound.
“Halliday?” he adds before she can hang up.
“Yes?”
“Are you free in the morning? There’s somewhere I want to take you.”
I keep my attention fixed on the phone screen, unable to meet Sinclair’s eyes as his voice makes me shiver.
“Sure. We can go over things for Thursday at the same time.”
“Wonderful. I’ll see you tomorrow.”