“Wait. What?” She sounded confused. “You’re buying a car for the paper? But do newspapers do that? I mean I’ve heard of jobs where people travel doing that, but if I have to travel, it’s usually by plane.”
I chuckle a moment. “Yes, newspapers actually do this. Anyway, we can work out all the details later on, if that’s okay. Maybe it will just be a perk you receive as a bonus for all your hard work. Then we don’t have to worry about contracts and such. I’ll get the lawyer on it right away. In the meantime, come to my office Monday morning and we’ll get the money issue settled. You can go car shopping soon. Maybe I can join you.”
“Oh, my gosh, Parker, this is too nice. I can’t let you do this.”
“Nonsense, Gordon destroyed your car. Your insurance agent even said that. Just let me make it right.”
It took several minutes of sweet talking her, but she finally consented to the deal and hung up. When I pocketed my phone and turned to see Adam’s suggestive smirk, I knew I was in for more taunting.
“What?”
“What? You’re seeing someone named Haley and you don’t tell your oldest, dearest friend?” He tossed the racquetball at me and I dodged it, not even trying to catch it. He was going to give me hell.
“Well, how do you know it’s not just a work thing?” I took another sip of my water and screwed the lid on, then set the bottle down on the floor. “I mean, she works for me.”
“So you’re dating someone who works for you?” He raised his eyebrows. “I can tell you’re into her. You don’t give stuff away for free. You’re giving her a car and using the paper as a laundering agent for your lusty affair.” He laughed as he set hisown water bottle down and picked up his racket. “Wait… Did you say Haley?”
I shrugged. “Yeah, why?” I jogged over to where the ball had landed and picked it up. As I turned around to head to the serving line and start our next match, Adam’s real lecture started.
“Parker, are you talking about Haley Spencer? The international news columnist?”
“What’s it to you?”
“She’s like twenty-four. You’re way too old for her.” I tossed the ball at him, letting him have the first serve.
“She’s twenty-five, and who cares? Age is just a number.” I tried to hide my frustration with his question, but I knew it would come out in the game. “You were just telling me I need to date.”
“I said date, not rob the cradle.”
“Look,” I snapped, turning on him. “Are we going to play a game or are you going to lecture me on my choice of women?”
Adam held his hands up defensively. I knew I had a tendency to overreact and this was something that I didn’t have to defend myself about. We were both consenting adults.
“Fine, I won’t say another word. But when this blows up in your face because you’re too far apart in age,andshe works for you, don’t say I didn’t warn you.”
He served and got the match started, and every bit of his doubting and lectures were forgotten. I played my best game since New Year’s Eve. Haley wasn’t a good luck charm, but she was amazing, and I wasn’t going to stop until she was mine.
11
HALEY
All night, the music had just hit the right spot, and I’d been on the dance floor at Club Rouge with Rachel dancing my heart out. The new DJ they hired was doing a fantastic job, and the drinks were flowing. The club had even invested in some new lighting effects that flashed in sync with the beat of the music. The crowd around me moved in rhythm, making it feel like the whole building was shaking. I hadn’t had this much fun in years.
“I have to use the toilet!” Rachel shouted over the din of the music. She pulled at my arm, and I reluctantly followed her away from our perfect spot in the center of the mob.
She dragged me through the dining room area into the back of the club where the restrooms were situated down a long, dark hallway. It always creeped me out how the emergency exit was right next to the women’s bathroom, making it so much easier for some creepy guy to snatch up an unsuspecting victim and haul her out—but maybe it was just me. It was, however, one reason neither of us ever went to the toilet alone.
“Gosh, you always have to pee like thirty times a night. Your bladder is so small.” My complaining was par for the course. Wedidn’t go out to clubs as much as we used to, but when we did, I was the one who was ready to go home early and play designated driver. Tonight, however, we were both drinking and planning to catch a cab home.
“Yeah, well if you didn’t buy me so many drinks, I wouldn’t have to pee so much.” She ducked into the stall while I checked my makeup. Perspiration glistened on my forehead and upper lip. I used a paper towel from the dispenser to dab my face. I hadn’t realized what a good workout I was getting. Luckily, we were alone in the restroom, so when Rachel finished her business and washed her hands, we were able to chat a bit. The music inside the club was too loud for much talking.
“You seem to be in such a great mood tonight. What gives?” She watched my reflection in the mirror. I shrugged.
“Well, it might be because of this.” I pulled out my phone and showed her the bank deposit in my account from the insurance adjustment.
“What! Oh, my gosh, that’s a lot of money.” She grabbed my wrist and held the phone in front of her face for a second. “From the insurance? What happened? You wrecked your car?”
“Actually, I was sideswiped after work one day. They said it was enough to push the frame in on the passenger side and they totaled my car. The guy’s insurance paid for a full replacement. That’s like a third of my salary, almost.” Once she let go of my wrist, I pushed my phone back into my pocket and leaned against the wall with my arms crossed.
