Chapter 18
HAYES
Later that week, after he finished practice, Hayes returned to the resort to get ready for the first big appearance of Mr. & Mrs. Hickory Falls. Tonight was the concert on the square. It was a small concert that featured local musicians. Apparently, he and Tessa were going to help MC the concert.
He thought about how jumpy Tessa had been the past couple of days.
She seemed almost startled every time he was around.
Hayes thought back to their electric kiss at the luncheon.
He knew he had pushed his luck when he deepened the kiss, but he had felt Tessa reciprocate.
He was trying not to obsess about what that might mean.
He ran up the stairs when he got home. As Mr. & Mrs. Hickory Falls for the Fourth of July, he and Tessa were supposed to be in some version of red, white, and blue at all of their events.
Hayes would roll his eyes, but he was used to all of this.
Hickory Falls was a very typical small town and loved a themed event.
The Fourth of July just happened to coincide with their popular summer lake season, so Hickory Falls went all out to celebrate America.
(Of course, Hickory Falls also had very popular fall festivals and Christmas events.)
Hayes rummaged through the closet, looking for something that would be festive and comfortable.
It was still summer in Georgia, and it was pretty hot.
He settled on linen navy shorts and a red polo.
He was sure there would be red, white, and blue accessories for sale if anyone thought he needed to look more patriotic.
When he went downstairs, Tessa was ready and waiting for him in the kitchen. She had on a royal blue sundress that clung to her slightly and ended just above her knees. The fabric shimmered with small rhinestones when she moved. She also had on red high-heeled sandals.
“Wow,” Hayes said before he could stop himself.
Tessa turned around and gestured to her outfit, “Too much?
“No, I think it’s perfect. You look great!”
Tessa blushed a little. “Thank you. I am not a huge fan of dressing up, especially when we have to be in front of a crowd.”
Hayes reached out for her hand and squeezed. “Don’t worry. We will be up there together. If anyone has a real chance of doing something stupid, it would be me.”
Tessa laughed, “You are a little famous for your stupid stunts.”
“In my defense, most of those were when I was in high school,” Hayes laughed. “I haven’t done anything crazy lately.”
“Well, besides running off and getting married,” Tessa teased.
“Well, there is that,” Hayes agreed. He pulled Tessa closer to him, and she leaned closer to him and then suddenly stepped back.
“Well, we should probably get going,” Tessa said. “We are supposed to start the show.”
“Right. Shall we, Mrs. Hickory Falls?” Hayes said, offering her his arm.
“We shall,” Tessa said, giggling.
Hayes couldn’t believe he was so close to kissing Tessa just then. She didn’t seem like she knew that was what he had been thinking. He was beginning to wonder if he was going to be a little crazy tonight and try to kiss his wife—fake wife—when they were alone again.
TESSA
Tessa watched Hayes across the park at the concession stand.
She knew he had wanted to kiss her earlier when they were in the kitchen, but she had pulled back.
Why did he want to kiss her when there was no one around to see them acting like newlyweds?
She knew they both felt this attraction to each other.
She just wondered if it was just because of them being together so much and having kissed so much that week, because of the glass clinkers at the luncheon.
She wondered what would have happened if she had not stepped away in the kitchen before.
What would have happened if she had stepped forward?
“Here you go,” Hayes said, handing her the bottle of water she wanted.
“Ah! Oh, thank you,” Tessa said as she jumped.
“Sorry, I thought you saw me,” Hayes said. “What were you thinking about?”
Kissing you, Tessa thought. Then looked at Hayes quickly to make sure she hadn’t said that out loud. He didn’t look at her like she had lost her mind, so she must be good.
“Oh, nothing,” she finally answered. “These bands are really good. It looks like everyone is having fun.”
“Yes, it’s a great concert,” Hayes said, wondering what Tessa had really been thinking about. She had looked too deeply in thought for it to be nothing.
Mayor Jenkins waved at the couple from a few feet away.
“Oh, that’s our cue to introduce the next band,” Tessa said, naturally grabbing Hayes’s hand and walking toward the stage.
They walked onto the stage hand-in-hand to the cheers of the crowd. Tessa waved at the crowd as she made her way to the microphone.
“Thank you!” she called. “And we would like to thank Mayor Jenkins and Hickory Falls for putting on such a great event!”
The crowd cheered. Then she heard that sound again. Clinking. She looked at Hayes. He smiled a crooked smile at her. She smiled back.
Hayes took her in his arms and dipped her back slightly. She smiled as she arched an eyebrow at him. “What is this?” she teased.
“Gotta give the crowd what they want,” Hayes teased back.
Tessa nodded her head, and Hayes pressed his lips to hers.
Once again, the crowd faded away, and it felt like it was just the two of them.
Tessa was the first to deepen the kiss this time, and she pulled Hayes closer to her.
Eventually, the cheers and a few catcalls broke through the haze of the kiss, and Tessa and Hayes broke apart.
Tessa looked into the crowd. Willow was looking at her with her eyebrows raised. Tessa shrugged slightly. She couldn’t tell her friend what was going on. Tessa still hadn’t quite figured it out herself.
HAYES “Let’s hear it for the newlyweds,” Hayes heard Sawyer call from the crowd.
The crowd joined in the cheers. He looked at Tessa.
She looked the way he felt, slightly stunned, but she pulled herself together and announced the next band.
They left the stage holding hands, and Hayes was wondering what that kiss meant.
He knew he had started it by dipping her back, but Tessa was the one who had added to it.
As soon as they left the stage, Tessa squeezed his hand and said, “I’ll be right back.” And disappeared into the crowd.
“Here I thought that you and Tessa were shy,” Sawyer joked as he slapped Hayes on his back. “Y’all put on quite a show.”
“Yeah, well, you know how it is with newlyweds,” Hayes answered quietly. His feelings were still like a storm within him.
“You all right, man?” Sawyer questioned.
“Yeah, I’m fine, thanks,” Hayes said, perking up. “It’s just been a long day.”
TESSA
“Tessa! Tessa!” Willow called as Tessa raced by her. “Hey! Wait!”
Tessa slowed for a moment to let Willow catch up to her. Together they walked at a little slower pace to Willow’s apartment above her bakery on the square.
Once they were upstairs overlooking but out of the festivities, Willow turned to Tessa. “What is wrong? Where were you going so quickly?”
Tessa, who was pacing the floor, answered, “I don’t know. I just needed a moment.”
Tessa’s pacing picked up, and she looked out of the window at the concert below. She was probably supposed to announce something else soon, but she didn’t care.
Willow gently led her friend to the couch and encouraged her to sit down. “What is going on?”
“I don’t know,” Tessa sighed. “I know I did this to myself, but it is all overwhelming. My ‘situation’, and then having to be Mrs. Hickory Falls, and having to please everyone at all times by being the perfect newlywed couple. It’s all too much!”
Tessa buried her face in an accent pillow.
“And what else?” Willow prodded gently.
“What do you mean?” Tessa asked, her voice muffled by the pillow.
“I know you, Tessa. We’ve been best friends since we were five,” Willow said. “You know you can’t hide anything from me.”
“Fine,” Tessa said as she sat up. “I know you saw that kiss on stage. Hayes and I have been kissing a lot lately, for appearances only, of course, but–“
“But what?”
“I don’t know. They are good kisses. I mean, really good kisses,” Tessa blushed. “And I think I might not be the only one who thinks so.”
“What are you saying? Do you like Hayes? I mean like like?”
“I don’t know!” Tessa threw her hands up. “I have never felt like this when anyone has kissed me. Not even Landry, and I was going to marry him!”
“Well, technically, you are married to Hayes.”
Tessa shot Willow a look, “Not helping.”
“Okay, okay,” Willow conceded. “So you two are sharing really intense kisses. What else?”
“What do you mean, what else?” Tessa asked. “That’s it. We’ve not really had much alone time, and even if we did, this is not a real marriage. Hayes is one of my dearest friends, and I love him as a friend.”
“Are you trying to convince me or yourself?”
“I don’t know,” Tessa whispered. “We have really settled into marriage – the non-physical side – really well. He really is a great guy. Sweet, kind, helpful, handsome.”
“And a great kisser,” Willow added.
“Yes, and a great kisser,” Tessa agreed. “Ugh! Willow, what am I going to do about this?”
“Well, what do you want to do about this?”
“I have no idea! Hayes agreed to help me out as a favor for a friend. What do I do now? Say. ‘Hey, Hayes, I know you just signed up for this to help me out, but I may have the hots for you? Should we kiss some more to find out?’ AGH!” Tessa fell back onto the couch.
“Well, I don’t think I would lead with that you might have the ‘hots’ for him. Seriously, who says that?” Willow asked. “I think if you do talk to him, you might find that he didn’t do this as just a favor for you.”
Tessa sat up slowly. “What do you mean?”
Willow sighed. “I can’t really tell you exactly what I mean, but you know Hayes and I talk a lot, right?”
“Yes, like I said, he is a very good friend to all of us,” Tessa said, slightly confused. Then understanding slowly dawned on her face. “Did Hayes say something about me? Do you know something?”
“I don’t want to break a confidence, but I think you should talk to Hayes. If you really think you may have deeper feelings for him, you two should talk.”
“Does Hayes have feelings for me?” Tessa asked quietly.
“I can’t answer that,” Willow said. “But, like I said, if you really think you have real feelings for him, talk to him.”
“Okay,” Tessa said, stunned with the thought that Hayes might have feelings for her. “I think I will think about it a little longer. I want to be a little surer before I talk to Hayes. I don’t want to hurt him, and I don’t want to mess up our friendship.”
“That’s a good plan,” Willow agreed. “And I am here for whatever you need.”
“Thank you,” Tessa said. “Would you mind if I stayed here tonight? I really don’t want to go back out there right now.”
“Sure,” Willow said. “You are welcome here anytime. You know that.”
HAYES
Hayes pulled out his phone as it buzzed in his pocket. He had a text from Tessa.
Hey. I’m going to stay at Willow’s tonight. Just too tired to go home.
Hayes texted her back.
Okay. Are you all right?
Tessa responded.
All good. Just tired. See you in the morning.
Hayes stared at the text as if he could read the hidden meaning through the screen. Something was bothering Tessa. The way she had run off earlier was not like her. But if she was with Willow, she was in good hands.
Okay. Good night.
Hayes waited a minute, but Tessa didn’t respond. He decided to call Willow.
“Hi, Hayes,” she answered.
“Hey, is Tessa okay?”
“Yeah, didn’t she text you?”
“Yes, but I feel like something is bothering her.”
“Hang on,” Willow said, and Hayes could hear her movement in the background. “Okay, I’m downstairs now. Tessa is fine. I just think all the town activities are a little overwhelming. That and the pretending.”
Hayes rubbed the back of his head. “Are you sure?”
“Sure,” Willow said. “Maybe you two should have talk tomorrow.”
“About what?”
“I don’t know, Hayes,” Willow said. “About all of this. It seems to be getting to both of you.”
Hayes sighed. “Maybe we should.”
“And maybe you could be a little more honest,” Willow encouraged.
“Honest about what?”
“Good grief! Men sometimes!” Willow muttered. “Your feelings?”
“You think I should tell Tessa how I feel?” Hayes questioned. “Why? What did she say?”
“That’s it,” Willow said. “That is all I am saying. Remember, you two asked me very nicely to stay out of this. I just think you two might need to have a little talk, that’s all.”
“Okay, thanks, Willow.” They said their goodbyes, and Hayes put his phone back into his pocket.
Willow had given him a lot to think about.
He felt there was at least a mutual physical attraction between him and Tessa, but was there more on her part?
He started walking to his own apartment on the square.
It felt weird to stay at Tessa’s house without her there.
And it would be easier to think about all this at a place where he didn’t see her touch on everything.
TESSA
Tessa stretched, rolled over, and felt the sun on her face. She opened one eye and remembered she was at Willow’s apartment. She had slept soundly, but she still didn’t feel like she had any resolution to whether or not what she was feeling for Hayes was real.
She looked around for her phone. It was not on the nightstand, so she must have left it in the living room.
She got out of bed and headed to the living room, thankful for the shorts and t-shirt Willow had lent her.
They were much more comfortable than her sparkly dress.
She thought back to how handsome Hayes looked last night in his red and blue.
Tessa groaned. Thoughts like that were not helping her.
“Good morning!” Willow called as Tessa emerged into the main area of the apartment.
“Good morning. What are you doing here?”
“Duh, I live here,” Willow said as she handed Tessa a cup of coffee.
“Thank you,” Tessa said. “You know what I mean. Why aren’t you at the bakery?”
“Oh, Cassidy had already volunteered to take the early shift,” Willow answered.
Tessa nodded and scanned the room for her phone. She had left it by the couch. She retrieved and saw she still had twenty percent battery and a text from Hayes. She read the text, then gasped.
“What?” Willow asked, concerned.
“Hayes left.”