Page 29 of I’d Be Honored

“What’d I miss?” Maddie stood in the doorway, rubbing her eyes sleepily. She blinked, her gaze sweeping over the room before landing squarely on Hayley.

For a moment, no one spoke. Gemma and Caitlin both looked to Hayley, waiting for her to answer.

“Nothing.” Hayley shifted on her feet, taking a large swig of her coffee. “I should go, actually. I have some open houses to get ready for.” She finished the last of her morning caffeine, then rinsed her mug and set it in the dishwasher.

“But it’s Sunday.” Maddie gave her a skeptical look.

“No days off in real estate,” Hayley replied vaguely, avoiding Maddie’s eyes. She wasn’t lying, exactly, even if her first showing wasn’t for another three hours. But it didn’t feel like the full truth, either.

If she were being honest with herself, she was afraid that she would get swept away again by the beckoning seas of Maddie’s eyes. All it would take was one look, one glance, and she knew it would strip her of everything she had worked so hard for—and force her to jump.

EIGHT

MADDIE MOVED THROUGH THE MOTIONS THAT morning in a soft-focused blur. The distant rumble of the subway and the cacophony of the city felt muffled, as if wrapped in a layer of velvet. Her feet drifted across the hardwood floor, untethered, as though gravity had simply given up on her. She was still caught in the lingering heat of the night before, her body humming with the ghost of Hayley.

She wasn’t sure if Hayley had even realized what she’d done—how she guided Maddie down, inch by inch, until she was lying on her back. How they had melded together seamlessly, her body wrapped around Maddie and Maddie’s arms around her, as they both drifted to sleep.

By early afternoon, she was practically vibrating with nervous energy. After pacing the length of her guest room for so long, she began to worry she would carve a path. Maddie decided she should lean into the momentum. Before she could talk herself out of it, she tapped open their text thread.

Maddie: Are you busy tonight?

Hayley: You can't ask me out the same day you want to see me.

The reply came immediately as if Hayley had also been staring at their open texts, debating whether to message first. Maddie froze, her eyes locked on the screen.

Maddie: Who said I was asking you out? Maybe I was just making small talk to see what you were up to.

Hayley: Well, if you must know, I have plans tonight.

Maddie: You win. I'm waving the white flag. Please let me take you out for drinks. I promise next time I will ask far in advance.

Hayley: Next time? Getting a little ahead of ourselves, aren't we?

Maddie: Well, usually every woman who goes out with me wants there to be a next time.

Hayley: I'm rolling my eyes. Can you feel it from wherever you are?

Maddie: No, but I can feel the smile you're making at your phone right now.

Hayley: I'll agree to drinks, but only for tonight.

Maddie: Omg. Did you lie to me about having plans or cancel them for me?

Hayley: I'll never tell.

A sly smile crept across Maddie’s face, her heart thudding against her ribs at the thought of Hayley canceling plans for her, whether it was true or not.

Maddie: I'll pick you up.

Hayley: This is not a date. Meet me at Employees Only. 8 p.m.

——

At exactly seven-forty-five that evening, Maddie sauntered into the bar a full fifteen minutes early, determined to get the lay of the land and secure a table for just the two of them. She didn’t want to share Hayley tonight.

The speakeasy was small and intimate, a dimly lit hidden gem of New York City. Rich maroon and brown paint cloaked the walls while a stained walnut bar top ran along one side, seasoned with a century of tipsy secrets.

Maddie slid onto a cold metal chair against the side wall near the back of the room, her eyes fixed on the door. She was still surprised that Hayley had even agreed to have a drink with her, and she half expected to get stood up. To keep her hands busy, she picked up the cocktail menu, scanning names like Billionaire Cocktail and Short Story Long.