Finally a Bride by Renee Andrews

Author:Renee Andrews
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2017-12-13T21:08:54+00:00

Chapter Ten

“What am I doing?” Haley shut the door and leaned against it. Had she honestly sabotaged her own friendship rules in the span of about thirty minutes?

“I’m guessing that question wasn’t directed to me?” Aaliyah peered over the lobby counter.

“I might as well have asked him to marry me,” Haley said, the words escaping like a long groan.

Aaliyah dropped the notebook in her hand, her mouth falling open and her eyes nearly as wide as her mouth. “Okay. I’m all ears. What did you do?”

“I told him,” Haley said, struggling to recall her exact words, “that getting closer to me was dangerous, because...” She almost couldn’t say it.

“Because...?”

“Because he might decide he can’t live without me.” Haley dropped her head back against the door. It thudded against the hard wood. And hurt a little.

Thinking that was something she deserved, she did it again. And again. Maybe it would knock some sense into her.

While Aaliyah gaped and Buddy barked.

“Wh-what did he say?” Aaliyah asked, clearly enjoying Haley’s discomfort way too much for her employment status.

“He didn’t say anything. He laughed, because I laughed. You know, trying to make light of it. But—” she felt sick “—I’m not so sure I was joking. And I think he knew it. I was more, like, hoping.” She shook her head. “I so don’t want to go there again. And this should be easy, because I know he doesn’t want anything beyond friendship. That should keep my thoughts in order, right?”

“Just an observation,” Aaliyah said, “but have you looked at him? That alone would make it tough for any girl to keep her thoughts in order. And have you seen the way he is around you? Sure, he may say he doesn’t want anything beyond friendship, but he likes you, Haley. I mean, like, really likes you.”

“Aaliyah, he lost a wife and a baby, only two years ago. He wants no part of a relationship again. I told him I feel the same way, so if I can stick to that, we’ll both be better off.” Her head dropped against the door again. “So why did I say that?”

“Maybe because your heart was talking instead of your brain?” Aaliyah quipped. “But that’s just a guess.”

“A good guess,” Haley mumbled. “I’ve got a chance at a good thing here, a friend that happens to be a guy.”

“A very good-looking guy,” Aaliyah added.

“Trust me, I don’t need to be reminded.”

“And a nice guy, too. Look at his job, working with those kids the way he does. And you should see him at church, always taking notes and speaking up with good points during the Bible class. I know I always listen when he speaks,” she said. “Then again, I’m pretty sure every female within earshot does.” She laughed.

Haley didn’t. “Not funny.”

“Listen, you’ve made no secret of the fact that you wanted a husband and babies by the time you were thirty. Then you turned thirty and it hadn’t happened.”

“If you’re trying to make me feel better here, you’re doing a pitiful job.

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