Ian's POV
"We'll work on that," she said, kindly smiling at me as she left first.
I headed to work a little later than usual today, but I didn't really have a set time I needed to be in, so is it really considered being late? As I stepped out of the elevators, I ran right into Marco, who was busy reading a packet of papers atop a manila envelope. His brows furrowed, and he seemed so deep in thought, maybe even sad.
"Hey, are you alright?" I asked him, feeling close enough to him to ask.
"I didn't see you there." He smiled, but it was too late. I had already seen his worry, his sadness. He noticed as I didn't smile back, letting a heavy breath out. "I'll be okay, just a tough day. It's home life problems. You know what? I would love for you to come meet my kids. Let me know when you're free and you can come over for dinner. My wife makes some great food." The invite seemed a little off on timing, but I could tell he was trying to push past the subject of what was wrong. Deciding not to press it further due to his discomfort, I nodded my head in response.
"That sounds great. I am curious to see the happy high school sweethearts that have lasted so many years."
"You and I both." I barely heard him mumble under his breath.
"What was that?"
"Oh, I said I can't wait," he lied, making me wonder what was happening at home.
Marco and I walked towards our offices together, talking about his children. He had three, two boys and one girl, who was the youngest. He let me know that life definitely gets more rewarding, but a hell of a lot more hectic with kids. I think that's why I'm waiting until I am older, and I kind of don't have a partner to create a life with. My mind instantly raced to Hailey's smiling face for a brief moment, confusing me more than anything.
Work was quick and enjoyable, despite the odd way it had started. I waved goodbye to the new friends I was making and made my way to my car. Red and I saw each other last night, but we had plans for today before Hailey had invited me. It felt great knowing I was going to see her twice in a row. Hopefully, she felt the same way.
"How are things going with your mystery girl?" Red asked as she swung Abi carelessly on the park swings. Not that I minded, but I was surprised that she had brought her daughter along. Normally, she leaves her with Lucas or Abi's grandmother.
"Confusing," I admitted, thinking of Hailey and how awkward things had been the next morning. Yet also how amazing that night had been.
"How so?" she asked, tucking her hair behind her ear the way she does when she gets annoyed with it.
"I don't know, it's just complicated." It's not like I'm going to tell her I just had sex with her best friend last night and it's made everything so weird. Although the reason it is so awkward is because of Red.
If Hailey and I didn't have Red in common, we would have never met, but we also wouldn't have this hurdle to get over. Neither of us want to upset her, or lose her as a friend. We both love her, with me loving her a little more in a different way. I will say, here lately that feeling seems to be dying down. She's standing in front of me right now, but I don't have the same ache in my chest. It feels lighter, but if I stare at her red curls too long or look into icy blue eyes for more than a few seconds, it comes back harsher than before.
"Thanks for all the details," she said sarcastically, giving me a hard time. "I'm here for you, Ian. I know I don't have a lot of relationship experience, but I am a woman, so I may be able to give you a new perspective on your problem. Talk to me." I sighed, realizing I needed to tell her something.
"I can't tell if she likes me or not. Like really likes me, and isn't just using me. Plus, she's already told me she doesn't believe in falling in love." I told her things I didn't think she would know about Hailey, keeping them vague enough, but touching on some of the main points. Obviously, my biggest problem is being in love with Red, but I can't exactly tell her that.
"What gives you that impression? What would she be using you for?" She furrowed her brow, trying to make sense of what I was telling her.
"I don't know. I feel like she's using me to keep her dad off her back more than anything. She will flirt with me and play around with me and you know... more, but I can't tell if that means she really likes me or is just using me in that way, too," I elaborated, feeling a bit worried that I may have shared too much.
"Who initiates the intimacy?" she asked, pushing Abi who was starting to giggle happily. She's such a beautiful baby.
"We both kind of do," I said, having to really think about it. "She just says this stuff or does something and it drives me crazy and I start pushing boundaries that maybe I shouldn't." I thought back to the car yesterday evening. The way I just pulled over and welcomed myself to her body all because she called me innocent.
"I don't think she's using you if you're both initiating it. Look, for a while there I was trying to deny my true feelings for Lucas, thinking he would just break my heart. I kept our relationship on the lustful side, if you know what I mean." She blushed, clearly a little uncomfortable talking about our sex lives. "It was my way of keeping him close without having to really risk my heart. But it was stupid of me, I knew for a while that I had already fallen for him. Maybe she's safeguarding herself too, keeping herself at a distance but unable to really keep away from you."
Red had never told me any of this before. She had her heart broken by some asshole she met in college who took what I wish I would have had the guts to do in high school. He was her first boyfriend, and his idiotic self cheated on the most amazing girl around. She never really told me about how she and Lucas started, and I guess I see why now. It's not exactly romantic, but it does make sense. Is that what is happening to Hailey and me? Am I falling for her?
"Maybe. I don't really know."
"Look, Hailey said this to me before when I was having the same kind of doubts about Lucas. She said the only way you're going to know how they feel is by asking them and hoping they can be honest. So just talk to her, ask her what she wants, tell her how you feel, and see what she says. It's not going to get better just sitting here moping about it." The irony of her giving me Hailey's advice did not go over my head. I almost laughed, but as that wouldn't make sense, I contained it.
"You're right, or I guess Hailey is right. I'll talk to her," I said, stepping in front of the swing to make faces at Abi any time she swung forward. I want a kid.
"She really likes her uncle Ian. We both do." Red smiled happily at me, causing my heart to squeeze with that same bittersweet feeling it got anytime I thought of what could have been. This could be us right now- a mother, a father, and their child at the park. The thought quickly faded as Lucas came strolling up from the park entrance.
"Ready to go home, Rose?" he asked her, using that stupid nickname, but the way she lights up when he calls her is unmistakable. She loves it just as much as she loves him. I need to let her go. Lucas wrapped his arm around her waist, pulling her close and kissing her just below her ear. She blushed, a little embarrassed by the public display of affection, but I could see her melting into him.
"Yeah, just give me 5 minutes to say goodbye, okay?"
"Okay, I'll get Abi in her seat. Oh, Leo told me to tell you he said hi and that you need to text him more, but I disagree with that last part." He winked at her, making her laugh. I stopped the swing, getting Abi out while they had their moment.
"Goodbye, sweet girl. Don't give Mommy too hard of a time."
"More like, don't give Daddy one. I'm going to be fighting guys off her all her life, man." Lucas shook his head, already picturing his daunting future. He wasn't wrong. Abi is going to attract a lot of attention.
"I'll help you," I added, surprising Lucas.
"We'll tag team the guys that come knocking on the door." He laughed, just imagining that poor fella. I smirked, finding the thought entertaining.
"Sounds good."
Lucas walked off with Abi, but not before kissing his wife. They headed to the car with Red's attention, turning back to me.
"Promise me that you'll talk to her, okay? I just want you to be happy, Ian. You deserve it, more than anyone I know." She hugged me tightly, trying to bring me comfort.
"Thank you. I promise I will talk to her." I really mean that too.
It'd been three days since Liv and I had talked, and I had yet to message Hailey. Neither of us have really spoken since that amazing yet regretful night. It seemed not even Hailey could get over it overnight. I knew we needed to talk, but I hadn't had the courage to invite the conversation quite yet. I think I'm actually nervous of what she'll say. Do I want more than a fake relationship with Hailey?
"Good morning, Marco." I greeted him as he stepped into the break room with the intent of pouring himself a cup of coffee.
"Morning," he greeted me back. "I spoke with my wife, and we were thinking about having you over for dinner this weekend, if that sounds good to you."
"Yeah, of course. That sounds nice. Please thank your wife for me. Should I bring anything?" I asked. Mom has really instilled in me to never show up empty handed at a house.
"You can bring some wine if you like, but honestly, you're fine just bringing yourself." He shrugged with a smile. His dark hair had grown since I first started here, showing its natural waves now.
"I'll bring some wine then. Red or white?"
"I'm a red guy, but my wife is white. So whatever your preference is, it would work."
I was surprised by his answer, having found that usually people who like white wine and those who like red don't work out most of the time. I nodded my head at him, parting ways to head to our respective offices. Louie kept popping in with his caterpillar mustache to ask how planning for his charity event was going. It was harder than I thought it would be, as the last charity event was more of a success than expected. Now it left everyone with a higher expectation of me. I assured him it was coming along, but man, do I need some ideas?
Maybe Hailey will have some.
The thought surprised me, feeling so oddly natural. It was as if depending on Hailey was something I could really do. She was starting to become a bigger part of my life than she was meant to be. It was actually starting to frighten me. As if she knew I was thinking of her, my phone buzzed with a text from her.
Hailey: Care to come over for dinner?