Page 80 of I’d Be Honored

“I was invited, of course.” Amy stepped closer, crossing her arms and leaning her hip against the sink next to Hayley. “Well, technically, Jake was invited. Didn’t you know Caitlin’s one of his clients?” Her eyes shone with a wicked gleam.

How hadn’t I seen her at the dinner table?

Hayley’s eyes widened, her jaw going slack in shock. She and Amy had never done much talking when they were together, but that felt like something Amy should have mentioned at some point in the last few years.

“You don’t look happy to see me.” Amy grazed her fingers up Hayley’s arm, leaving behind a trail of goosebumps that made her stomach roll in disgust.

Hayley struggled to find her voice, wishing she had kept her suit jacket on.

“And you never answered my text about coming over for a girls’ night a few weeks ago,” Amy said coyly.

“I was busy,” Hayley managed, her throat tight.

“It’s not too late.” Amy’s tone softened as she leaned into Hayley’s ear. “We can sneak away right now, and you can make up for it.”

“No.” Hayley took a step back, creating what little space she could.

“Don’t worry,” Amy crooned as she closed the distance again. “Jake’s out there drinking with the rest of the boys from the firm—he won’t even notice I’m gone.” She was close enough now that she reached out and grazed her knuckles down Hayley’s cheek. “I miss you.”

“Stop,” Hayley snapped, her strength finally coming back to her. She shook off Amy’s touch.

Amy’s shoulders tensed as she drew in a sharp breath. “Is this about that woman from the restaurant? Melanie or whatever.”

Hayley could hear the rush of blood pounding in her ears.

“Maddie. And yes, it does, actually. I’m with her now, so this,” she declared, gesturing between them, “is over.”

Hayley felt the fragile balance of her life, meticulously stacked like a house of cards, wobble under the collision of her feelings for Maddie and this messy, casual entanglement with Amy.

Amy planted her hands on the sink on either side of Hayley, boxing her in. The cool quartz pressed into Hayley’s back.

“Come on, Hayley,” she pressed. “We both know you’re not a relationship type of girl. What we have is the best you’ll ever get. You told me that yourself.”

Hayley had believed that once. Until Maddie.

Mistaking her silence for hesitation, Amy’s smile sharpened. Before Hayley could react, Amy leaned forward and sank her teeth into the side of her neck.

Hayley’s hands closed around Amy’s waist, not to pull her closer, but to push her away. She had just started to break Amy’s hold on her when a voice sliced through the bathroom like a blade.

“Are you fucking kidding me?”

Hayley recoiled, finally tearing herself free from Amy’s hold, but it was already too late.

“Maddie,” Hayley breathed. “It’s not what it looks like.”

“Yes, it is,” Amy unhelpfully chimed in.

“Maddie—please,” Hayley began to plead, but Maddie’s eyes were already hardened with betrayal.

“I knew something was going on between you two,” Maddie choked out, her voice trembling as it rose. “I fucking knew it. I can’t believe I trusted you. Caitlin was right—you were never going to change for me.”

With that, Maddie turned on her heel and fled the bathroom.

Hayley froze, wanting to chase after her but afraid of making things worse.

“Aw, don’t worry,” Amy cooed, dripping with satisfaction. “I know exactly who you are. Let me know about that girls’ night.” With a wink, Amy slipped out the door, and Hayley was once again alone.

She stood in front of the sink, rooted to the spot with the deepest, most suffocating shame she had ever known. Her breath hitched, sharp and uneven, as she gasped for air that refused to fill her lungs. Hayley had to get out. She couldn’t let Gemma see her like that and risk shattering her best friend’s special night.