Reed
Hayley’s waiting in the lobby when I arrive at her apartment building on Tuesday, pulling me into a hug. “I was down here checking the mail,” she says a little distractedly. “Are you ready for this?”
“To talk?” I blow out a raspberry, waving off the concern in her tone. “I was born to talk. How hard can it be?” I’m well equipped for deep and meaningful conversations; this isn’t my first rodeo.
Staring at me deadpan, Hayley shakes her head, brushing away the hair that falls across her face. “You have no idea.”
“Try me.”
She rolls her eyes and grabs my hand, intertwining our fingers as she pulls me toward the elevator. “I’m going to need a big, greasy meal after this, so you’re taking me out for lunch. I’m craving burgers, but first…let’s get thistalkover and done with.”
“God, woman. This was your idea and you’re making it sound like a prison sentence. We need to make this fun or we’ll never survive it.”
“I’m always fun and you know it.” She bumps her shoulder to mine and presses the button for her floor, her eyes flashing to the front glass doors before she releases my hand. “So…what should we discuss first?” She turns my way.
“We’re diving straight in then? No foreplay. Noted.” I bite back a smirk, waiting for her reaction, and right on cue she punches me.
“Foreplay is always needed, Reed.Always. Don’t ever forget that.”
“I could never. But first, is everything okay?”
“Of course.” Hayley’s nose scrunches as she scoffs. “Why wouldn’t it be?”
“You seem uneasy.”
“Nope. I’m good. Promise.”
“Okay.” I allow her off the hook, but I don’t feel good about it. “So…what’s our foreplay then?” I smirk, bringing back her smile.
The elevator stops at Hayley’s level and I hold the doors open as she steps out. “Would you like a drink, Reed?”
“That would be lovely.”
“A comfortable chair?”
“Please.”
“What about some snacks?”
“Only if they’re healthy.”
Unlocking her front door, she rolls her eyes again while her expression remains amused. “You are fresh out of luck there.”
“Damn. You need to work on your foreplay game.”
I hover in her doorway and she shoves me inside. “Shut up and sit on the couch. I’ll bring you a carrot stick.” She hits me with a tight-lipped smirk before turning away, and I can’t restrain the chuckle that bubbles out of me. Maybe this is going to be easy and fun. Why was I doubting it?
Flicking through one of her glossy magazines while I wait, I spend way too long catching up on the latest breakups andpregnancies in Hollywood, so when Hayley returns, my mind is spinning.
“Did you know Rhys Mason and Chelsey Harvey broke up? I’m devastated.”
“Who?” Hayley’s brows crease in puzzlement.
“Exactly. Why do you read these?” I toss the magazine on the couch beside me and release a soft grunt. “It can’t be good for your mental health. What if you’re featured?”
“Then I’ll know I’ve made it.”
“Bullshit. You’ve made it, Hayls. And whenJaded Beginningscomes out next month, you’re going to be a star.”
