“Thanks.” I smile reassuringly, hoping that will help ease her mind. It’s not that I don’twantto talk to her about it, but now is not the time or the place. And it’s a long, depressing story. I’d like to keep things happy and fun between us. “How many presents do you have to get?” I change the subject.
“I have a few.” Hayley releases my hand, raising hers to her chin in thought. “Amelia, Luke, Juliet, Paige, Isaac, and if I’m getting something for him, I should probably get something for his dad too, so add Easton to the list. Then there’s Keeley and Lainey, Thomas. You, of course, I would have done that regardless, and on that note…maybe I should get something forBria. Right? In case she does ‘welcome me into her life.’ Ooh, and my agent.”
She looks up from counting on her fingers and I stare at her in shock.
“You buy forallof those people.”
“Yep.”
“What about your family?”
“I do that online and send it to them directly.”
“Of course.” I shake my head. Apparently I forgot that Hayley’s Australian. Not sure how that happened with her cute little accent constantly reminding me. “So…” It suddenly hits me that we could be here all day and I groan.Fuck. “Do you have any ideas for the hundred people you’re buying for?”
“Shut up. It’s not a hundred.”
“Well, it’s not five, like I have.”
“I’m curious about that.” Hayley’s brows rise in question. “You didn’t list Bria.”
“Good observation. I did not.”
“Why? I meanIlisted her.” She frowns, crossing her arms over her chest, and honestly, it comes across as though she’s girl-coding me right now. I wouldn’t be surprised if the words “typical men” release under her breath.
“You did.” I bite back my laugh. “But you don’t have to get her anything either. Bria and I decided a few years ago that we wouldn’t do Christmas presents. Instead, we’d make a bigger effort for our birthdays.”
“Oooh. Okay. Okay.” She nods multiple times before shaking her head. “Yeah…that’s not happening for us. In this relationship, we make an effort foralloccasions. Christmas, Easter, Birthday, Valentine’s Day. Hell, I’m not opposed to exchanging gifts for Halloween. A cute little pumpkin mug or a candle.”
I rush out a low chuckle, grabbing Hayley’s hand as her excitement bubbles over. “Don’t ever change, Hayls. I love your energy. And rest assured…I’m taking mental notes. Next Halloween, I’m getting you a mug.”
She giggles and it lights up her features, confirming that we’re doing the right thing. If I can bring even an ounce of her spark back, it will all be worth it.
“This will be well and truly over by then,” she adds with a grin.
“Maybe so, but we’ll still be friends. That’s a promise.”
“I can’t wait.”
Since it’s mayhem at the mall, we walk around relatively unnoticed for the first hour or so of shopping. But when we break for lunch, the whispers start, followed by photos—that are not at all subtle—a few people approaching us, and it’s then we get the attention of an obvious paparazzo.
He tries to hide it at first, but when he has to move to get a better angle, he throws caution to the wind and stands in our direct line of sight, unapologetically getting his shots, making his money.
“How long do you think we have before that hits the media?” I ask Hayley, subtly motioning to the camera.
She snorts as she pointedly stares his way. “A day, if we’re lucky. An hour, if we’re not.”
“And you’re good with that?” There’s no going back after that.
“Of course I am.” She smiles brightly, tossing her long hair behind her shoulder before posing. “It’s all part of the plan. And in case you haven’t noticed, I look pretty damn amazing today.”
“I was going to mention that.” I nod appreciatively.
“Thank you.”
After shoving the last French fry into her mouth, Hayley jumps up and grabs my hand, pulling me to stand next to her. “Four presents down. Ninety-six to go,” she jokes with a wink. “We better get moving.”
“Who’s next?” I ask reluctantly, ready for this day to be over.
