by Layla Hagen
“Is that a yes to the interview?” I asked hopefully.
He grinned. “Points for trying.”
Well, it was worth a shot. I brushed my hands over my face, resting them on my neck. “This is weird.”
“What? That I enjoy your company?”
“Well, yes. In your office you looked at me as if you were hoping I’d just vanish into thin air.”
On second thought, that was safer. Now he was looking at me as if he was hoping my clothes would vanish.
His eyes darkened. “I’m sorry about that. It wasn’t personal. I just don’t appreciate being blindsided. I promise, I’m not an asshole.”
I’d pieced that together myself. He really was more of a Mr. Darcy type. My kryptonite.
“You’re also not patient.”
“Is that so obvious?”
“Oh, yes.”
“Care to change that?”
“Sure. I’ll wait for your message. Not too long though, or I’ll take matters into my own hands.” He flashed me a megawatt grin. “You know what they say. Go big or go home.”
And I knew exactly what he’d choose.
Chapter Seven
Hailey
On Monday, I started the day by calling a contact of mine at LA Lifestyle, running by him the idea of publishing an interview I did with a client. I didn’t mention Reid’s name, because he hadn’t agreed yet, but I wanted to have everything in place in case he did. I got a half-promise out of my contact, but that was better than a rejection. I knew he’d be all in once he knew the client in question was Reid, because no one had ever published an interview with him.
As everyone started to filter in, I was already done with the most arduous task of the day.
I kept glancing at the phone, hoping Reid would send me a message. I’d badgered him over the past few days, and yesterday evening might have phrased everything as an ultimatum, but I needed to get things moving: I needed an answer before nine o’clock today.
At eight fifty-eight, the screen of my phone lit up with an incoming message.
Reid: Okay. I’ll do the interview.
I sighed, almost wanting to hug the phone. This was an enormous step forward.
Hailey: Thanks for letting me know. I’ll set everything in motion. We need to meet sometime this week.
Reid: My pleasure.
My thoughts just careened off the right path completely. I didn’t get to discuss the details though, because Cameron called us all in for the weekly meeting.
“You’re chipper,” my colleague Alena mentioned as we walked side by side. “Great weekend?”
“You could say that.”
We each presented our highlights, and when my turn came, I brought everyone up to speed on Reid’s case. Cameron beamed at me. I loved impressing the boss, and that was especially difficult in the fourth week of a month, because we also compared the stats to last month’s. Every time I earned his approval, it was as if I was proving to myself that the switch to PR had been smart. I’d taken a pay cut, but the stress at the old job had been too much. I’d already been on the verge of quitting because I was missing out too much on my family’s life. But one incident sealed the deal. We’d been working on a huge case that had us spending nights at the office. During one of those nights, I got violently sick. I threw up repeatedly and broke out in a sweat. They’d rushed me to ER, where I’d been in the care of an elderly, slightly surly doctor. He’d asked me how many coffees I’d had. I’d told him that I’d stopped counting after the eighth one.
He raked me over the coals, informing me that my blood pressure had spiked so much that I’d been dangerously close to a stroke. I’d started looking for another job the next week.
Cameron made the rounds after the meeting, stopping in my office just before lunch.
“I’ve got to say, I didn’t think you’d get through to Davenport, but I should’ve known you wouldn’t back down.”
“He’s not as tough as he seems. You just have to find the angle that works for him... like doing that interview myself instead of letting a stranger do it.”
Or, I thought with a pang, giving in to him, letting him kiss the living daylights out of me.
“How did you talk him into it?”
“Cameron, it’s best if you don’t know. Don’t ask.”
“How did you convince LA Lifestyle to let you send the article instead of interviewing him themselves?”
“You don’t want to know that either. Just rest assured, I haven’t burned any bridges.”
He laughed. “Fair enough. I’m leaving to visit my sister in Houston for the rest of the week. Think you can hold the fort here?”
“Definitely. Have fun.”
I cracked my knuckles after Cameron left, glancing at my agenda and gluing a blue dot next to Set up Reid & LA Lifestyle.
The reward system was a bit childish, perhaps, but it gave me a rush of satisfaction whenever I looked at the collection of dots at the end of the day. It was especially helpful when I dealt with cases that stretched on for months and progress was slow. It helped me be aware of the daily or weekly progress, even if it was small in the grand picture. I also emailed my contact at LA Lifestyle, dropping Reid’s name.
Toward lunch, I took my first real break, pressing my palms to my eyelids. Avocado and beans salad. That was going to be my lunch.
I soaked in the glorious sun as I walked out. Living in LA was hands down the best thing. I’d always loved it but even more so after visiting numerous other places as a consultant. The sun, combined with the almost permanent vacation feeling, gave the city a vibe I hadn’t found anywhere else. I was headed to a tiny salad bar at the end of my street when my phone buzzed. I grinned when I saw that Reid was calling.
“Hey! So glad you called. Thanks for agreeing to the interview. I already spoke to LA Lifestyle before you messaged. They’ll publish it.”
“You were so sure I’d say yes?”
“I like to be prepared. Just in case.”
“What would you have done if I said no?”
“Convinced you.”
“And how would you have done that?”
“Well, can’t give my secrets away, can I?”
“It’ll be my pleasure to lure out of you every single secret, Hailey.”
I cleared my throat, suddenly happy I wasn’t in the office. My cheeks were on fire.
“First, I have to get your secrets out, remember?”
“Too well.”
“When do you want to do this? We’ll need a few hours.”
“Saturday?”
“I don’t work on weekends.”
“But you did come here on a Saturday.”
I laughed, ignoring the rumbling in my stomach. “I make exceptions sometimes.”
“Am I worthy of another exception?”
“Maybe.” I sat on a bench, crossing my legs at the ankles. “I see some negotiation potential here.”
“Making demands now?”
“Just one. Don’t be extra difficult.”
“That depends solely on you.” His voice was low and so sinfully sexy that heat zinged through me.
“What do you mean?”
“That I’m in your hands completely, Hailey Connor.”
Chapter Eight
Reid
“Boys, I just heard the front door. Bianca’s home. Don’t let my roast beef get cold. We’ve had enough business talk for one day,” Mom said, rising from the leather armchair. We were in the library of my parents’ house.
“Yes, ma’am.” Dad chuckled. It was tradition for the three of us to talk shop when I stopped by for dinner, until Bianca came home from school. I updated them on all things related to the hotel. He had to keep stress at a minimum, or he risked his high blood pressure causing yet another stroke, which was why I always made sure to filter the information. He didn’t need to know about the operational issues that gave me headaches on a daily basis. He couldn’t do anything about them anyway.
“
Reid, you look worried,” Mom said. As usual, she took one look at me and knew. Sandra Davenport was the best mother I could have asked for. She was kind, attentive, always fussing around the family.
“How are things working out with the PR agency?” Dad asked.
I schooled my voice to appear as carefree as possible. “They’re very professional. I’m sure this will all stop being an issue in no time at all.”
“Bianca said Hailey’s been very helpful with her as well,” Mom went on.
My sister gave me a very smart smile. No, wait a second. That was a smug smile. Shit, what did she have to be smug about?
“So, Reid. How was the city run on Wednesday?” she asked innocently.
My parents looked at me in shock.
“You participated in a run?” Mom asked.
“Yes, he did. Voluntarily,” Bianca supplied helpfully. I had no idea where she was going with this, but my instincts were sharp. I had to change the topic.
“Hailey and I needed to sort out some details, and that was the only free window she had.”
It was a ridiculous excuse. I knew it. They knew it. They didn’t say anything, but Mom’s smile was now as smug as Bianca’s.
Okay. So maybe I was somewhat of a recluse, but I liked my lifestyle. Those years after Dad’s stroke had shaped me, had forced me to make some choices I might otherwise not have made, but I discovered I actually thrived under them. The discipline, the focus. Marion had accused me of being a robot, of not allowing her to enjoy her life.
How could she, when I didn’t seem to have an interest in anything beyond the hotels? She’d looked for excitement elsewhere. I was beginning to think any woman would do the same.
After dinner, my parents retired to the library, as they’d done since I was a kid.
The second I was alone with Bianca, my sister’s expression changed from smug observation to attack.
“So, Hailey’s been super helpful. Talked to her again and tried a few of her strategies. Even Felton shut his mouth.”
“I’m glad, Bee-Bee.”
I couldn’t believe Hailey was going so above and beyond her job. But then, I remembered this felt personal to her. When she’d told me about her school years, I’d had an urge to stand between her and anyone who tried to hurt her. How could I react to her like this?
“She’s also going to help me pick a prom dress.”
“What? Why?”
“Because I asked her to.”
“Why didn’t you ask Mom? Or me?”
She rolled her eyes. “Because you’re no help. And Mom’s idea of a pretty dress includes sleeves and lace, possibly in neon colors.”
“Don’t be mean, Bianca.”
Mom had been Dad’s right hand in running the hotel. She was smart, ambitious, but didn’t come from old money, which my grandparents didn’t like. According to Dad, she tried to compensate by adopting what was considered a classic style, when her natural inclination was toward the eccentric, which as Bianca put it, usually included neon colors.
“Hailey used to work as a fashion consultant at Macy’s. Did you know that?” Bianca continued.
“No.” My jaw went slack. I needed to be very careful about the angle I picked. “You can’t ask Hailey to do stuff like this.”
“She offered.”
It seemed I needed to have a word with Hailey.
“Does she have a great style? I only saw a picture of her on the agency’s website. She’s beautiful.”
I said nothing. Bianca went on.
“I think you two should date.”
“Bianca,” I warned.
“What? You like her.”
“How did you come to that conclusion?”
“You looked like you’d swallowed your tongue at dinner when Mom asked you about the PR agency.”
I glared at my little sister.
“Plus, you went to a run for her.”
This evening was not going the way I’d expected it.
“Also, I think it’s time you changed your type.”
“I don’t have a type.”
Bianca raised an eyebrow. “Literally every girlfriend you’ve brought home was blonde, tall, and obsessed with herself.”
I had no comeback to that, because Bianca was one hundred percent right. Was it just because those women had been the ones who’d stood out more? Or had I never bothered to look deeper?
“So, when are you meeting Hailey next?”
“Saturday evening.”
I’d said yes to the article. Grudgingly, and only because I didn’t see another option.
“Oh, that means she won’t stay at the after-party.”
“What after-party?”
“She’s going to the private screening of The Lion. You know, the one you probably got an invitation for because you’re so successful and important.”
“Smartass.”
“I know. I’m pretty fabulous, right?”
I did get an invitation. I’d just forgotten about it because I’d ignored it, as usual. So, what made me reconsider it now? I didn’t have to think too hard about the answer.
Hailey.
Was I insane? She and I were too different. She was a social butterfly: city runs, private screenings. She was so excited about life, as if she was determined not to miss out on anything. It was one of the things that drew me to her. But my life revolved around the office and the penthouse. Not exactly the height of excitement for someone like her. That didn’t stop me from wanting her.
“You’re going, aren’t you?” Bianca asked on a squeal.
I was digging my own grave, I knew that, but I wasn’t a liar. “Considering it.”
When it came to Hailey, I just couldn’t stay away, could I? High time to do something about that.
Chapter Nine
Hailey
I loved fancy events. And I loved preparing for them even more. It was like a ritual—taking out several dresses, deciding on the perfect outfit. Then coming up with a matching makeup color scheme and topping it all off with an appropriate hairdo.
I watched myself in the mirror: short, golden dress with a generous cleavage. My hair was wild around my shoulders. My makeup screamed Hollywood leading lady. I loved it. The event might be in the afternoon, but it was elegant enough that it required me to pull out all the stops. I loved the perks of my job, all the invitations to exclusive events. I loved private screenings, because they were the rare occasions in this business when the press wasn’t invited so details of the movies wouldn’t leak out. The screenings were mostly for critics and lucky folk like me.
Afterward, I had enough time to come home and change before heading to the hotel. How had I gotten myself into spending Saturday evening with him?
Didn’t matter. I wasn’t going to let him kiss me again. I had until the evening to steel myself against all that sexiness.
Before leaving, I sent my brother Will an email, confirming that I’d found a replacement for myself to teach styling at the education center. He and his fiancée, Paige, ran a foundation focusing on teaching marketable skills to people who hadn’t had access to regular education. I loved helping there as much as possible. Up until now, I’d taught a course on fashion styling, and then helped the students get internships at Macy’s. But with the additional clients Cameron had sent my way lately, it was impossible to keep up.
I smiled broadly when I darted out of the house. I loved Lakeview Terrace. We’d grown up on the outskirts of it. My siblings had moved into posher neighborhoods, but I liked it here. As a plus, my house had been cheap enough that I’d been able to save a down payment with only a few yearly bonuses.
When I arrived at the theater, I grinned from ear to ear, twirling slowly so I could take it all in. It was a beautiful art deco building with chandeliers hanging from the ceilings. The carpet and chairs were a mix of red and gold.
The screen was in the front. There were private boxes at the back. I didn’t have an invitation to those yet, but one day I would. I
liked setting high goals for myself.
There was still an hour until the movie started, and in the meantime we were all invited to enjoy the canapes and champagne, which was exactly what I did.
I nearly tripped over my own feet when I caught a glimpse of dark brown hair. Was I imagining that Reid was here? Projecting? I walked closer, studying the man surreptitiously. He had his back to me, and when he turned, my breath caught.
“Fancy seeing you here,” I managed to say. “Coincidence?”
“Absolutely not.”
“Didn’t you say that you subscribe to the ‘hell is other people’ school of thought? What are you doing here?”
“I knew you’d be here. I wanted to see you.”
Oh wow. “You’re going to see me in the evening anyway.”
“Wanted to spend more time with you.”
Reid drank me up and made no secret of it. That sinful gaze travelled down to my hips, resting on my legs. Then he looked back up slowly. I shivered, feeling as if he’d traced a path from my navel up to my chest with his mouth. When our gazes met, I could only hold it for a few seconds before breaking eye contact, afraid I would give myself away otherwise.
“You didn’t mention you’d be here.”
“Didn’t want to give you a chance to change your mind.” He bounced back and forth on his feet until he was in my personal space. My mouth went dry, and I instinctively licked my lower lip. “Even if I had to face... this.”
“And? Is it as bad as you imagined?”
“Absolute fucking nightmare. Care to save me?”
I laughed but knew he meant it. I also suspected this was a ruse, but I didn’t have the willpower to say no. Not when he pinned me with his molten gaze like that.
“Sure. Stick with me and I’ll sort you out.”
“After you, m’lady.”
Every cell in my body vibrated as we walked side by side. How did he even know I’d be here? Oh, probably from Bianca. Well, this made things a tad more complicated. I wasn’t ready to see him again so soon. I’d been counting on these last few hours to pull myself together.
We stopped when a man with graying hair came up to us.
“Davenport. Surprised to see you here. Not your scene. I think no one’s seen you out in years. Few of us wondered if you actually still exist or are just a myth.”
