Hailey hoped he couldn’t hear her heartbeat. Why was she feeling giddy? She was supposed to be mending a broken heart; but instead her heart was reacting to the man sitting down beside her. Neither spoke. The staring match between the two was annoying, yet comforting at the same time. It seemed neither wanted to break the calmness that now settled between the two.
Garrett reached out for her hand. She allowed him to hold it. He kissed the tips of her fingers. She closed her eyes and enjoyed the feel of his lips. “You’re beautiful,” he said.
Those words broke the trance. She hated to believe he was another person taken back by the superficial. She moved her hand away. “So what are you doing here?”
“I came to check on you.”
She leaned back on the sofa and folded her arms. “Why do you care? It’s not like we’ve been the best of friends.”
“But we have been friends and whether you want to believe it or not, there’s something there between us.”
“Yes and he’s a thorn in my side right now, so let’s not go there.”
“Are you going to let Tre rob you of your happiness?”
“He’s done more damage than I care to admit, but I’m a big girl; I’ll get over it.” She rolled her eyes.
Garrett moved closer to her. His masculine scent threatened to make her succumb to whatever he was offering. “You don’t have to get over it alone. I’m here. Let me help you. Let me show you how you should be treated. Let me show what you’ve been missing.”
She pushed him away and scooted over. “You’re so conceited. You had me until you said, ‘let me show you what you’ve been missing.’ Ha. You’re the biggest player I know.”
“I’ve changed,” Garrett responded.
“Why would I dump one chump for someone that has been proven to be the bachelor of the year?” She hit her forehead. “Is fool written across here?” She stood up and walked towards the front door.
Garrett laughed. She didn’t. “I don’t see what’s so funny. If that’s all you came over here for you can leave.”
He followed her. “I’m leaving, but I want you to know before I leave that I’m putting you on notice.”
“I’ve sworn off men,” she pouted.
“Good. That makes me job that much easier.” He locked his lips around hers and with each breath drawn, for those brief seconds, the world stood still.
“Good night Hailey.” He didn’t wait for her to respond. He walked away. “Lock up,” he yelled.
She stood there in the doorway and watched him drive away. She locked up and spent the rest of the night going over the events of the last forty-eight hours. When she laid her head down to sleep, Trevon’s face wasn’t at the forefront of her thoughts; it was Garrett’s. That scared her more than she cared to admit.
~ 21 ~
Life at the office was as normal as could be. No one was aware of the turmoil Hailey was going through in her personal life except Brenda and she knew Brenda wasn’t going to say anything to anybody. Well, at least she hoped not. Brenda and Bach had become chummy lately. It was good to see what appeared to be more than a professional relationship brewing between the two. Hailey wished them luck.
“Another good show,” John said, as she passed by him back stage.
“Thanks to my number one producer,” she responded.
“You’re trying to make up for your stank attitude yesterday I see.”
She did her best damsel in distress look she could muster. “Johnny, I’m sorry.”
“Just don’t let it happen again.” They each departed and went their separate ways.
“Hold on,” Mo said, to whoever he was on the phone with, as she passed him by. “Looking good Diva.” He never waited on a response before going back to his phone conversation.
Jackie rushed behind her. “You’re not going to like this but you’re on the cover of a tabloid—the one everybody claims to not read, but does.”
Hailey stopped in mid-step and snatched the rag magazine from Jackie’s hands. The caption read, “Day time Diva Dishes Out Advice But Can’t Take it.” She screamed, “Heads are going to roll. Get me my agent on the phone now.”
She stormed to her office and waited for Jackie to let her know Carmen Grisby, her agent, was on the phone. “Find out who wrote it and get them fired,” she yelled.
Carmen responded. “And hello to you too.”
“I’m sorry. It’s just that after all that I’ve been through this is the last thing I need.”
She briefly told Carmen about some things going on in her personal life. Carmen remained quiet before interjecting her comments.