Page 135 of One Baby Daddy
“You drank one of my Cokes without asking?” He tsks at me. “That’s a roommate no-no, Adalyn. You should know that. Just poor etiquette.” When he reaches me, he pulls me into a hug and kisses the top of my head. “Have fun with Shannon, and tell her I said hi, okay?”
“Yup.” I swallow hard. “We’ll be out late, so don’t wait up.”
“Okay. Be careful. Call me if you need anything.”
With another kiss to the head, he sends me on my sweaty way, waving at me from the door. Thankfully he shuts it, not watching me the entire time.
It’s not like I’m already having a difficult time here, Logan has to come into the mix and throw me for an entire loop.
Outside, waiting for Hayden, I try to process everything. Logan is my friend, a boy I once briefly saw myself with long ago, a boy who broke my heart, who kept me guarded. But he’s also been there for me when I’ve needed someone the most. He’s protected me, guided me, and has been my rock.
And then there is Hayden.
He pulls up to the curb in his sleek car, a pinch in his brow when I open the door. “I told you I would come to the door. I don’t want you to have to wait outside for me.”
“It’s fine,” I say, getting immediately in and buckling up. Taking a second, fidgeting with my purse, I tell myself to forget the bomb Logan dropped on me last night. Hayden deserves my full attention, especially when he’s making such an effort. He drove straight from the airport to here, and I’m sure he’s exhausted.
“How was your flight?” I ask casually. He eyes me for a second before he starts driving.
“Fine, got in an hour of sleep. You know, it’s dark out, Adalyn, something could have happened to you.”
“Hayden, I’m fine.” I touch his arm that’s gripping tightly onto the gearshift. “It’s really okay.”
Exhaling heavily, he looks unhappy but moves on when he asks, “Do you like Chinese food?”
“Love it. Did you get us some?”
“Yup, should arrive shortly after we do.”
We’re not in the car for more than five minutes when Hayden is pulling into an underground garage and parking in a spot reserved for him.
Out of the car, he guides me to the elevator where he has to flash a key card to get started and presses the tenth floor. When we were pulling in, I didn’t realize that one, he lived so close, and two, the building was more than ten floors. It didn’t seem that tall when we drove into it.
“You’re pretty close, aren’t you?”
“Planned it that way.” Reaching out, he links my hand with his and leads the way when we step off the elevator. The hallway is a light shade of green with grey flooring, and modern, sleek-looking lights illuminate the dark but clean hallway.
It doesn’t take long to reach his unit, 10A. Not releasing my hand, Hayden opens the door and lets me in first. The room opens up to a span of windows overlooking the city below. To the right is an open-concept kitchen with dark cabinets, chrome hardware, and subway-tile backsplash. It’s beautiful and a great size for entertaining. To the left is a spacious great room connected to a dining room. All the furniture is dark, just like the cabinets, with accents of white and green. There isn’t much personalization to the space, just a few picture frames on a credenza, but it’s the view that’s breathtaking. It’s what draws me.
Walking toward the windows, I take in the busy streets below, wondering once again if there are any celebrities below us. Hell, are there celebrities in this building? Hayden is technically considered a celebrity, but in my eyes, he’s just sweet and handsome Hayden, not this mega-star everyone deems him to be.
Although, the people closest to Scott Eastwood must think the same thing.
“Would you like anything to drink?”
“Water is great,” I call over my shoulder, spotting my apartment. “I didn’t realize how close you were to me. You can see my place from here. You know, I could have walked here.”
That statement makes Hayden laugh, deep and throaty . . . and oh so sexy. “Adalyn, I didn’t even want you waiting outside after I realized what an idiot I was being. Do you really think I would want you to walk here, in the dark? Yeah, not happening and don’t attempt it, or I’m going to be really mad at you.”
“It’s a nice area, Hayden.”
Coming up behind me, he hands me my water and places his hand on my hip. Possessive, marking his territory, even though it’s just us in his apartment. It’s as though no time has passed, and it’s simply how we stand when close to each other.Easy.
“I don’t care.” His thumb rubs across my side, silently letting me know he’s looking out for me.
“This place is beautiful,” I say, taking in the room. “So open and airy. And the ceilings, they’re so high. Who knew apartments could feel so big?”
“I wanted to get you a better place, Adalyn, but your budget—”
