Page 61 of Finding Hayes
“If fun were an Olympic sport, I’d for sure get the gold medal.”
He didn’t laugh; he just stared at me. It was this look of adoration that had my chest squeezing. “Thanks for doing this, Sav. It means a lot. I’ve never been good at playing the game.”
“Are you kidding? I live for this stuff. But I’m not happy about you paying for it.” We’d had an argument when he’d seen all the things I’d ordered. He’d demanded receipts and reimbursed me for everything.
“I’ve never thrown a party. The least I could do is pay for it. I just don’t want to plan it. And maybe I’m an old-fashioned husband, but I don’t want my woman paying for anything.” He tapped me on the nose playfully, but I knew Hayes well enough to know he was chivalrous that way.
Hell, that’s why Kate sank her claws into him. Hayes Woodson was the whole package—he was the only one who didn’t know it.
“If you want this to be believable, don’t act like a caveman. I’m a modern woman.”
His hand moved to my hip, and he leaned forward and kissed the top of my head. “My wife is a stubborn woman. I’m going to catch some sleep. I’ll see you in a few hours. You hid everything in your bedroom for tonight, right? We don’t want anyone getting suspicious and finding out that we’re sleeping in separate bedrooms.”
“Yep. It’s all shoved in my closet. There are no signs of life in the guest room.” I chuckled as he made his way down the hall.
And I watched him move toward his bedroom.
His walk was so manly, the way his strong arms moved beside him. His legs were thick and long as they strode away.
The knock on the door pulled me from my Hayes daze, and I hurried to the entryway. When I pulled the door open, Peyton was holding two bottles of champagne in her hands, and Ruby, Emerson, a very pregnant Demi, and Saylor were standing behind her.
“Party’s here!” she shouted as she stepped past me.
“Well, we’ve also got muffins,” Demi said as she shook the pastry box in her hand and waddled through the door in the most adorable way. Her body looked exactly the same, aside from a ginormous protruding belly. From the back, you’d never know she was preggers, but then she’d turn around, and it was impossible to miss.
“I’ve got the flowers to make the arrangements,” Ruby said, because she’d volunteered to pick up the flowers from Janelle at Magnolia Blooms, but we’d decided to put them together ourselves.
“I brought unicorn Krispies because Cutler insisted that you try them,” Emerson said.
Saylor came in last and kissed my cheek. “And I have the orange juice. Let’s get this place decorated.”
We spent the next three hours covering every inch of the family room, living room, and kitchen in red and white Valentine décor. We made floral arrangements and set them all around the house. Everything looked perfect. Even better than I’d expected.
“Damn, it looks like Cupid puked in here,” Ruby said over her laughter. “You’ve even got red and white pillows on the couches. Hayes is going to be stunned when he wakes up. You didn’t miss a thing.”
“Have you seen her Instagram? This is why people followher. The girl can decorate and design a house like nobody’s business,” Peyton said.
“I had no idea what a big following you had until Demi showed me this week,” Saylor said. “It’s amazing. My brother is going to love it. I’m glad you guys were able to put that mess from the past behind you after all these years.”
“I still can’t get over everything with Kate.” Demi shook her head in disbelief.
I’d filled them in on what we’d uncovered and why we hadn’t spoken in all those years. They were all stunned to learn just how devious the woman was, especially considering she was just a teenager back then. But Kate had always been spoiled and self-entitled, and she was probably still evil to the people who had to deal with her today.
“You know, that’s why people get so mad at a miscommunication trope.” Saylor tipped her head back as she drank the last bit of her mimosa.
“What the hell is a miscommunication trope?” Ruby grumped. “I swear you make this shit up.”
Saylor owned a romance bookstore, and it had become one of my favorite places to visit since I’d returned home.
“Um… that’s a hard no. It’s real. Both in fiction and, apparently, in real life. People can really fuck things up if they want to,” Peyton said.
“Don’t worry,” Saylor said. “The miscommunication trope is just a small part of your story with Hayes. Your journey to making it down the aisle together. You’ve got so many good tropes going for you. Best friends to lovers and second-chance romance.”
“Don’t forget the shotgun wedding. That’s got to be a trope.” Peyton refilled her glass with bubbly.
“Excuse me. A shotgun wedding implies that I’m pregnant,and that is definitely not the case.” I quirked a brow.
“Correct. We all know that my brother does not want kids,” Saylor said, as if she were discussing the weather.
