“Yeah, yeah. So what you’re saying is that if you date a good boy… me.” I wave my hands in front of myself and Hayley laughs. “You think they’re going to see you in a better light, and cast you for the role?”
“That’s the plan.”
“So…” I nod while I process. “That’s what you were worried about? You’re doing this so that you look good, but what if I suddenly become a bad boy because of your bad girl influence?”
Hayley cringes and I regret hitting a nerve. “Kind of. I was considering what this might do to your reputation, since mine’s not great and—”
“Whoa. Hold up. The thing you’ll learn aboutmeis that I don’t care about my reputation. I’m notthisguy, the golden boy as they call me, because I’mstrivingfor it. It’s who I am. You need to push that shit from your mind, because, for one, it’s not on my radar as being an issue, and two, you are not who they say you are. And that last one’sextremelyimportant.”
Hayley’s lips pull into a soft, thankful smile and it breaks my heart.Does she believe what they’re saying?
“Hayley—”
“No, I’m good.”
“Are you sure?”
“One hundred percent. But thank you.”
“Anytime.”
“You say that a lot,” she muses, grabbing another carrot stick with one hand before reaching for salmon with the other.
“Say what?”
“Anytime.”
“Because it’s true. Maybe it should be my catchphrase.”
“Stop.” Hayley shakes her head, but this time when she smiles, it’s back to the full force I love to see, the Hayley I know well, putting my mind at ease.
“So what’s next? Anything else I should know?”
She taps her chin as she thinks, her brows furrowed in question. “Yes. My exes suck, so I’m comparing you to a low base.”
“That’s always good, but we both know I don’t need the help.” I wink and she bursts out laughing. “Anything else?”
“Um…” She taps her nails on the arm of the couch this time. “I don’t think so.”
“Okay, good.”
“I guess that means it’s your turn.” She points my way and I nod.
“It sure is, and I’ve been thinking about this. A lot.”
“Always the sensible one. Hit me with it.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
Hayley
Reed sits forward, his elbows resting on his knees and his chin balanced on his knuckles. “As you know, I was reluctant to do this.” He quirks his lips and I smile. “But since we got here anyway, I’ve been thinking about the benefits. First, I’m doing this foryou, Hayls. I wouldn’t be doing it at all if this was just about Bria.”
“I know.” Avoiding his intense gaze, I reach forward and grab a handful of blueberries before sitting back and ferrying them into my mouth. I know he’s doing it for me, but the sincerity in his eyes is too much to take right now.What if I fuck it all up?“Trust me, I know and I’m grateful for that, but I think this can help with Bria and––”
“I agree, but not in the way you think…” He trails off and I find myself mimicking his position, leaning forward in anticipation. “I need to know, once and for all, whether or not Bria feelsanythingfor me. Beyond our friendship. But…”
“But?”
