“Yeah, actually, that would be great.” She pulled her purse higher on her shoulder. “I’m staying at my mom’s.”
Ryan turned back toward the luggage carousel and saw another black suitcase rounding the bend out of sight. He’d have to wait for it to come around again, and he was fine with that. He could hear his mom chatting with Jo behind him, and he needed a moment to think critically. Jo could hand Hailey a career if she wanted to, but she could just as easily stamp out any possibility of Hailey succeeding in the music industry. Jo had a lot of influence, and she knew everyone who was worth knowing.
The trouble was, he didn’t know the best way to awe her. Should he show her the video now? Send her the demo? Or wait and let her experience Hailey’s live, raw voice in person?
The lone, black suitcase approached again, and Ryan reached for it, lugging the enormous, heavy thing onto the floor. What had his mother packed? Books? He turned, pausing to watch Jo and his mom laughing together.
If there was one thing he knew about Jo that probably hadn’t changed, it was her intense jealous streak. The driving force that made her so formidable when facing other record labels was her immense desire to be the best in the business and be the first to discover new talent. But it had also made her a miserable girlfriend. And Ryan knew that if she sensed his growing attraction to Hailey, it could become a problem.
Or maybe he was too full of himself and needed to quit worrying about things that probably weren’t even an issue anymore. They hadn’t even dated for an entire year. They’d been broken up for longer than they’d been together. Maybe he’d been wrong, and she didn’t want to get back together.
“Are you ladies ready to go?” Ryan asked, flashing them a smile and taking Jo’s suitcase from her. They both turned toward the parking lot, and Ryan moved to lead the way while he caught snippets of their conversation. Orlando’s weather, the rude man on the flight who had begged the flight attendant for a seat upgrade, and whether it was worth it or not to brave the cold to see the enormous tree in Rockefeller Center.
Neither of them thought the tree was worth the cold or the crowds.
But Ryan did. He liked the magic of it and the lights, and he didn’t mind the ice skating either. Then again, he and Jo hadn’t agreed on a lot of things except music. When it came to music they were pretty much in sync.
He hoped, for Hailey’s sake, that that fact remained the same.
Hailey waited on the sidewalk for the teacher to open the door and let the kids out. It was the final day of school and Christmas vacation was about to begin for Kendra. Until they returned later that evening for the Christmas concert, of course.
Hailey had just the perfect thing in mind to celebrate.
If Amber and Luis chose to keep their house mostly minimalist during the holidays, that was their choice, and she didn’t judge them. But Hailey knew there were ways to feel the magic of Christmas without a train around the tree skirt or festive nutcrackers lining the hearth.
And it would start with the biggest tree in New York City.
The front door opened, and the kindergarten teacher stood there, scanning the crowd of waiting parents, grandparents, and nannies. She started sending kids out one at a time to their guardians and eventually made it to Kendra, who hopped down the steps in her tan pants and white polo shirt, covered in a navy sweater and a thick coat. Her cheeks were rosy from the chilly winter air, and her backpack bounced as she walked. “Can we go get hot chocolate at the Corner Bakery?” she asked the moment she reached Hailey, taking her hand.
“No, but I have a feeling you’re going to forgive me.”
“Why?”’
“Because I have an even better surprise planned.”
Kendra grinned all the way to the subway station, guessing every possible treat in Manhattan except for the one they were headed toward. By the time they arrived on the sidewalk outside of Magnolia Bakery, Kendra was stumped. But she took one look at the frosted windows and squealed.
“Cupcakes!”
“Yes!” Hailey clapped her gloved hands together. “Or cheesecake. Or a cookie. Whatever your little heart fancies.”
Kendra threw her little arms around Hailey’s waist. They stepped inside the bakery, the warmth wrapping them in the cozy scent of baked goods. Lining up together, they discussed the treats through the glass display case, purchased their cupcakes, and took them back outside.
Hailey turned to her little charge. “Want to go see the big tree?”
“Yes!”
They made their way toward Rockefeller center, finding a bench free of tourists where they could plant themselves while they ate their cupcakes and took in the majesty of the tree.
“Are you excited for your concert tonight?” Hailey asked before taking a bite of her chocolate cupcake.
“Yeah, I guess so.”
Well, Kendra definitely didn’t have the drive for attention or feed off the thrill of performing like Hailey had as a child. Which was fine. The girl was clearly going to grow up to be an insect scientist. That was probably a thing.
“Did you know my Uncle Ryan doesn’t have a Christmas tree? I think that’s really sad.” Kendra’s gaze was fixed on the giant tree in front of them, every square inch covered in lights. It shined better at night, of course, but this felt safer.
Hailey licked the frosting from her thumb. “I did know that. I was there when he told you.”
“Why do you think he hasn’t gotten a tree?” Her voice lowered. “Do you think he hates Christmas?”
“No, I don’t think that. Maybe he doesn’t want his dog to chew it up. Or maybe he just hasn’t had time to get one. He’s probably busy.”
“Maybe.” Kendra shoved another bite of cupcake in her mouth and slumped back on the bench. “I’m stuffed.”
Smiling, Hailey took the remaining half of her cupcake and tossed it back in the box with their wrappers. Her phone started buzzing, and she pulled it out, pausing as she read the name.
Ryan Bierman.
“Hello?” she asked, putting the phone to her ear and trying to sound completely natural.
“Hey, how are you?”
“Cold right now. You?”
He chuckled softly. “Warm. Listen, I’m at Amber’s place with my mom, and we were waiting for Kendra. Are you guys on your way home from school? I thought you mentioned yesterday that she got out early today.”
“She did.” Hailey stood up fast, the box of cupcake remnants and wrappers falling to the cold ground. “Shoot, I had no idea you’d be waiting for us! I thought your mom would be tired after her flight.”
“No worries. Any idea when you’ll be home?”
“We can come right now. We’re just at Rockefeller Center looking at the tree. I’ll grab an Uber, so you don’t have to wait, and we’ll be there—”
“Wait, you’re where?”
“Rockefeller Center.”
“Just to look at the tree?”
There was silence on the phone for a second and Hailey briefly registered Kendra picking up the white Magnolia Bakery box and throwing it in the trash can next to their bench. She reached for the girl’s hand, and they started walking toward the street.
Hailey lowered her voice. “Look, I know you don’t really care about Christmas trees, but—”
“No, I was just surprised, that’s all,” Ryan said. “I was talking to someone today about Rockefeller Center…but never mind that. Who said I don’t care about trees?” Much to Hailey’s surprise, he sounded stung.
“You told me and Kendra you don’t have one. And you’ve never heard of wassail.”
“Okay, I think there has been a huge misunderstanding here. I absolutely love Christmas trees. And decorations, and sugar cookies, and all the good parts about the holidays. And not everyone has heard of wassail. I’ve just been busy preparing for an important meeting and haven’t had time yet to decorate.”
“And an event and getting your special New Year’s edition ready to go to print,” she
added.
“Exactly.”
“Well, I won’t take up any more of your time. We’re headed your way, and we’ll see you soon.”
“Great. Thanks. I’ll let my mom know.”
“Okay. Bye, Ryan.”
“Bye, Hailey.”
She hung up, swiping on the screen to find her Uber app and request a ride.
“Why are we hurrying?” Kendra asked as they waited on the sidewalk for the car to show up.
“Because there’s a surprise waiting for you at the house.”
“Better than cupcakes?”
Hailey pictured Ryan in his blue button-down shirt and lazy smile. “Way better than cupcakes.”
Chapter Eleven
Ryan leaned forward on his elbows against the wooden kitchen table and dropped his face in his hands. From the moment Hailey had arrived at the apartment with flushed cheeks, hastily pulling Kendra along, he had been unable to tear his gaze from hers for longer than a few minutes. She’d greeted his mother like an old acquaintance with a kiss on the cheek, and he’d been jealous of his mom. For a kiss on the cheek.
So he’d left the room, claiming to need to check in on some things at work and setting up his computer at the dining room table. But the truth was his team had things under control. Half the employees were out of the office due to the holidays, and he still had proofs coming his way constantly, and they all looked great.
Carter was currently on the set of Janica Harper’s photoshoot getting the cover all sorted and had texted twice that things were going really well.
Everything was running smoothly.
What Ryan failed to understand, though, was why a team who’d worked so well together the last few weeks had been slowly killing the magazine over the previous few years. If he couldn’t pinpoint where it had been failing, how was he going to prevent it from continuing to happen?
He pulled up the numbers sheets again and looked over the updated percentages.
Smooth, velvety laughter drifted from the living room, and Ryan lifted his head to hear it better. Hailey didn’t just have the singing voice of an angel. Her voice was purely angelic in every form. Speaking to her earlier on the phone, he had decided he could easily listen to her talk all day. But her laughter? That was a whole different level.
What he really needed to do was just ask the woman on a date. Once Jo was away from Manhattan, of course, and had already offered Hailey a contract.
His phone rang, and he hit the speaker button once he saw that it was Carter. “Hey man, what’s up?”
“Any chance you can get down here?”
Why hadn’t Ryan knocked on wood? He’d only just thought about how well things were going. “What’s going on?”
Carter’s voice dropped. “Vivi just showed up, and apparently Janica didn’t know she was coming. Now Janica’s threatening to pull out completely.”
Shoot. There had to be a way to smooth this over. “Her publicist didn’t tell her?”
“Apparently not,” Carter said with a sigh.
“I’m twenty-five minutes out, at least. Can you keep everyone there until I arrive?”
“Sure thing. But hurry.”
“You got it.” Ryan hung up the phone, shoving all his things back into his bag. He was heading for the living room when Hailey came in, almost ramming into him. They both sidestepped.
“Sorry,” she said. “Let me get out of your way. I was just heading out.”
“Oh, me too. What about Kendra?”
“She and your mom are going to get ready for the concert together. I have to go home and change.”
He nodded, his gaze holding hers. She tucked a dark curl behind her ear, the loose waves falling over her shoulders. Stepping around her, he started toward the stairs, backward. “Don’t go anywhere yet.”
She gave him a puzzled nod, and he crossed to the stairs, catching his mother and Kendra halfway up them. “Hey Mom, I’m needed at work. I’ll meet you both at the concert.” He winked at his niece.
“You won’t miss it though?” Kendra said, uncertain.
“Of course not. I just need to iron something out really quickly. I’ll be there. Don’t worry. I wouldn’t miss my favorite girl’s special night.”
She grinned at him, revealing a gap in her teeth that made his heart squeeze.
“Be safe,” his mother said, and he shot her a dry smile.
Hurrying back toward the foyer, he found Hailey waiting with her coat and scarf on, pulling gloves over her hands.
She glanced up and caught his eye. “What’s going on?”
Punching his code into the elevator, Ryan moved inside and held the door for Hailey to follow him. She stepped close to his side, searching his face.
“Is everything okay?” she asked, her eyes looking concerned.
“I hope so.” He hadn’t expected her to stand so close or smell so good. He drew in a shallow breath as the doors closed, dimming the small space, and did his best not to look up at the mistletoe hanging over them. What he would give to take advantage of the plant above them right now…but that would have to wait. “I’ve got a work ruffle I need to smooth over. I was going to ask if you wanted to come.”
“To your office?”
He shook his head. “To a studio down in SoHo where my team is right now with Janica Harper.”
Hailey’s mouth dropped open, her eyes widening. He had to swallow, to focus on keeping his face neutral. Interacting with famous musicians wasn’t new to him, and he’d met most of his idols throughout the course of his life—one of the perks of being the son of a major media company that ran a music magazine.
But it had its drawbacks, as well. He’d also been dealt the blow of knowing friends were trying to use him to further their careers in the music industry, or of wondering if girls he met at parties were into him or his name.
That had been one of his issues dating Jo. She’d loved the appearance they made as a successful power couple, how dating drew more attention to them because they were equally successful, and how Ryan’s family history had such prominence in the music industry.
He wanted a relationship that uplifted and fulfilled him, not another mutually beneficial business arrangement.
Hailey was different. She was prideful, maybe. She had nearly refused to play the gig of a lifetime—for a new artist, at least—simply because she was mad at Ryan, something she’d need to get over if she wanted to succeed in this world. But he knew she wasn’t using him just to get further along in her career. If she was, she would’ve leaped at the chance he gave her to play the party, not practically made him convince her to do it.
Ryan held her excited, widened gaze, a smile pulling at his lips. “Is that a yes?”
“Absolutely. I loved her when I was in junior high. Like my entire wall was covered in her posters. I wanted to be Janica Harper when I grew up.”
Ryan scrunched his face as if considering her differently. “Nah. I’m glad you’re Hailey Grant.”
She shot him a smile, turning to lean back against the wall, her eyes glazing over. Ryan chuckled, punching in his code again and hitting the button to take them downstairs. Maybe if he stared at the ribbon-wrapped mistletoe above the door, it would draw Hailey’s attention there…but he didn’t want to be a creep.
She stood up abruptly. “The concert. I was going to change into something nicer.”
Sweeping his gaze over her outfit, he thought her dark jeans and short boots were fine. Hadn’t she been wearing a plain gray t-shirt under that super puffy coat? “It’s an elementary school concert. I think you’re fine.”
She screwed up her nose. “You don’t know these parents if that’s your response. It’s a fashion show with a children’s concert on the side.”
The doors opened, and they stepped into the lobby, waving to the doorman on their way outside.
Ryan ordered an Uber and they stood on the sidewalk to wait. “Well, are you going for Kendra, or are you going for the other parents?”
Hailey laughed, nudging Ryan’s shoulder with her own. “Unfair. But yeah, okay, you’ve chastised me. I won’t worry about it. I’d way rather go stand in the same room as Janica Harper for a minute than dress up for a bunch of snooty—” She looked at him sharply, her words ending abruptly, and he had to swallow his amusement.
Their Uber car pulled up to the curb, and they slipped into the backseat.
“I’m glad you got the stain out of your coat.” Ryan gestured to the place where his accidentally-propelled greasy sandwich had landed. “I thought I was going to have to replace it.”
Hailey put on her seatbelt and pulled her hair to the side. “Yeah, my stain spray saved you this time.”
“Thank it for me. So you were pretty familiar with my mom. I didn’t realize you knew her.”
Hailey nodded. “She’s the best. She comes up here a few times a year to spend time with Kendra. That girl has a very doting grandmother.”
Interesting. Why didn’t he know this about his own family? LA was too far away from the people he loved most, that was for sure. “And you get along with her?”
She looked at him questioningly, and he shrugged. “She just doesn’t usually approve of most women I introduce her to.”
“Well, there’s the difference. You didn’t introduce me to her.” She grinned. “Besides, she doesn’t have to judge whether or not I’m good enough for her son, just her granddaughter.”
True, even if he hoped that wasn’t the case for too much longer. A blush rose up Ryan’s neck, and he pulled out his phone to send a text to Carter to let his friend know how close they were. He had some major schmoozing to do to appease this diva. They were three days away from their deadline. There was no time to set up another shoot, and Sarah had already completed the interview and sent it to him for approval.
“So what can I expect?”
“Honestly?” he asked, shifting on the seat to look into her eyes.
“Yeah…”
“They ran into some trouble. So you can expect an angry musician and a whole lot of flustered Sound employees.”
“Wait, what?”
Melodies and Mistletoe (Christmas in the City Book 3) Page 8
