Hayley
I was in my office currently working on a project when I suddenly remembered that I was supposed to step out and get some books for the kids. Looking at my wrist-watch, I saw that it was almost time for lunch.
"Mary, can you please cut off all appointments later for this afternoon? I will be stepping out this afternoon to get some things from the bookstore." I told her through the intercom.
"Sure ma'am but you are supposed to have a meeting with Mr Sterling at two O'clock. Should I reschedule it?" Damn I totally forgot that I had a meeting with him. Mr Sterling was one of my top clients and had been with me for seven years. I possibly couldn't reschedule our meeting.
"Yes, do that please. And move any other appointments to tomorrow." I was sure that I wasn't going to be coming back on time.
"Okay ma'am, is that all? Would you like to add anything else?"
"No, that would be all Mary. Thank you." After I clicked off the intercom, I closed all applications on my PC and set it to sleep mode. I also picked my keys and purse and then exited the office.
The heat that enveloped me when I stepped out of the car was out of the world. I had to quickly lock the doors and moved briskly entering the store. New York was just so freaking hot nowadays.
"Hey Hayley." The receptionist at Barnes and Nobles greeted me. I have known Reginald for quite some years now as I was a frequent shopper here.
"Hi Regina. How are you?" Reginald disliked being called by her full name. She preferred the shortened form. Probably because of my brother Joe, he always teased her when he accompanied me to the store. I should probably let her know that Joe was going to be back in town. But should be later as that might sour the mood.
" How are those adorable kids of yours?" Most people that meet Autumn and Wynter always fall in love with them and Regina was no exception.
Back then when they were still small, Regina and her coworkers would take them off my hands and let me do my shopping without any distractions.
"I guess that you are getting your regulars?" She winked at me making me laugh. Yeah, I was obsessed with reading smutty and spicy books . The ones that make toes curl, thighs clench in shock and pressure and make someone take a breather because they couldn't handle the hot sex scenes.
"Yeah and some of these books on the list." I handed her the list and watched as she perused through it.
"For your regulars, you can check out the new arrival section. And then for these ones. Christy might be able to help you with it."
"Thank you so much." I made my way to the new arrivals sections to make my selections. After that, I moved to the children's section to grab some storybooks and poems for the kids.
Weirdly, Autumn had an unexplained obsession with listening to poems and fairytales while her brother was more of a superhero fanatic. Though I made a routine whereby they to exchange their interests because I can't handle reading two different books on the same day for them. I had tried that and it ended badly.
"Oh my gosh. You scared me." I yelped clutching my chest in fright.
"I'm sorry." The strange man apologized. And damn was he good looking.
You should at least let me know you were there. " I was rendered speechless for the second time when I took a look at my intruder. No, the intruder would be correct.
"Let me help you with that." He knelt down to help me pick up the books scattered round the floor.
"Thank you." I fumbled picking up the ones I could reach and glimpsed
"Hmmn, rare combination of books children books and that." His eyes sparkled with amusement as he got a glimpse of my spicy romance book, Lethal Vows by T.L Smith.
"I.." I flushed deep red in embarrassment. What an asshole! It wasn't my fault that I loved reading smutty erotic books. Everyone had their own guilty pleasures and I won't be ashamed of mine.
"I was just teasing you, my sister is a die hard fan of romance books. Are you a teacher?" He straightened helping me up.
"Umm no. Why do you ask?" I frowned. Did I look like a teacher? I was dressed casually.
"The combination of the books." He pointed out.
"Oh no. It's for my kids." I smiled.
I noticed that his smile dimmed when he heard that I have kids. Oh he properly thought that I was married. Why would be concerned that he would think that? Because I think he's the first man that I have found attractive after everything with Kyle.
"Oh no, wait. I'm not married. I am kind of married about to be divorced. Oh my gosh. It's complicated." I groaned at my clumsiness spilling for my life story.
He laughed, at least he hasn't run off. But why would I be happy if he hasn't run away?
"You are cute. I am widower with a wonderful daughter. My name is Gary Steele." He held out his hand for a handshake. Holy molly! He had a daughter? And he was a widower? I totally feel pity for his late wife, she must be turning in her grave everyday to leave this specimen of a man alone on earth.
Jesus! What was wrong with me?
"My name is Hayley Banes." I shook his hand firmly.
"Hayley. nice name." He smiled displaying a cute set of dimples. I must have died and gone to heaven. His late wife was definitely turning in her grave.
"Then would you like to give me your number?" What? He wanted to take my number? Meaning he finds me attractive?
He laughed at the comical look on my face.
"I guess it's too early for that. I can.." I cut him off.
"No, it's fine. It's totally fine." I shook my head inwardly kicking myself. Amber wouldn't chastise me if I told her how hot Gary was.
"Okay, here you go." He handed me his phone to put in my details.
"Let me dial it. You know to make sure it's your real number?" I giggled when he winked at me. This man was really smooth.
My phone rang out.
"Okay, that's my number. You don't mind if I call you later, do you?"
"No, of course not." I shrugged.
"Then I will. I will be leaving you to continue with your shopping." He smiled warmly back pedaling.
"Okay bye." I watched him swagger till he disappeared from view. And damn was watching him walk away a good view.
The smile never left my face even when I got to the office. But it got dampened when I saw the message on my phone.
Kyle: I just wanted to remind you that the event is tomorrow. I will be picking you up by 7pm. Wear something nice.
And that was enough to remind me of my complicated life.
Hayley"Hmmn." I stretched my arms feeling lazy and sore, a good kind of sore."Morning beautiful." A strong arm was my banded round my waist. Wait a minute. I knew that voice, a little too well. Kyle! It was Kyle! What was Kyle doing in my room?"Kyle!" I stood up from the bed like my house was on fire. I was fully awake now."Hayley, calm down." Kyle sat up with the duvet sliding down his chest barely covering his privates."What are you doing here?" I averted my eyes panicked and then screamed when I saw I was standing naked."Give me that." I dragged the duvet from him not caring if it exposed his privates. I'd rather it be him than me."Hayley.. you don't remember?" He didn't seem one inch intimidated by the fact that he was naked. Instead he lounged comfortable with his hands behind his head and a lazy smile in his face.I wasn't having any of that smugness so I scrambled and picked his shirt from the floor throwing it over his pelvic region."Remember what? I don't care just
Hayley"I can't believe you did the unthinkable! Sleeping with your soon to be ex husband?" Amber screeched through the phone.When she says it like that, it was really bad."I know I messed up big time. But you don't have to shout that loud, I'm at work." "Sorry Hayley but you should have known better." She chastised me. Amber was Anti Kyle now. She hardly even said his name."Yeah I should have. I don't know what got into me." I whined dropping my head on my desk."You know what got into you. Too much alcohol." I knew she wasn't still happy with me.That was true, I could hardly hold my alcohol. Got drunk easily so that why I always drink with friends."Yeah I should have called you to come get me." I apologized."You really need to be careful. What if a stranger had taken advantage of you? Like a creepy old nasty man or a serial killer? And then I will get to hear from the news that my best friend was murdered." Okay, Amber had a very over active imagination and I was already regr
HayleyAnd now I was on my way to my monthly lunch with Kyle's mom. I call her Mrs Banes, though she insists I call her mother or by her first name Kate.Strolling inside the restaurant that we always used for our meeting.Kate stood up when she saw me, I smiled genuinely. I loved spending time with Kate, she was just so bubbly compared to her husband. Henry was cool, but he was a grump, barely tolerated people but he genuinely loves his wife."How are you Hayley?" She asked leaning in to air kiss my cheeks."I am good.How are you doing?" I replied dropping my bag on the table before taking a seat."I've never been better. I recently gained a membership at a new gym." She said excited. "What? What happened to your membership at your previous gym?" I saw the profile of the waitress already bringing up our orders."My membership expired and I think one of the gym instructors has a crush on me." Her nose wrinkled "Well good call." I laughed at that. Kate was in her sixties but she look
HayleyAnd I couldn't be more grateful that today was Friday, #TGIF. Like for real, this week has been pretty crazy for me. Sleeping with Kyle, confronted by Simone and dinner with his mom? Super crazy.And now I was here chilling at a bar but not without Amber. And I had someone watching the kids. Tammy was a sweet teenage girl who lived not too far from out house."Why can't men just take a hint?" She moaned for the nth time downing a third margarita.The male bartender chuckled pouring us new sets of drinks."I would slow down on those drinks if I were you." I advised Amber who was pouting terribly."You would say that because you weren't the one left standing at her porch like a fool. Waiting for a man to kiss her."I couldn't help myself, I burst into laughter until I was silenced by a pointed glare from Amber."I am sorry I can't help it. It's just so funny." I apologized taking a sip from my glass."And what's so funny?" She questioned unsmiling. And I had to comport myself ag
HayleyThe sound of a car passing broke up the trance.I looked down putting an end to the serious eye contact going between us."Where you going to go home with him?" Kyle asked quietly."What?" I reared back in shock. The audacity for him to ask me such a question!"You heard me Hayley." His body was tense and his jaw clenched tight."I don't see how that is any of your business. You lost the right to ask me any question of that magnitude." I tapped my fingers against his hard chest angrily."In case you forgot, you are still my wife and mother of my children." He gritted out.I gasped in disbelief. His wife? This man was delusional."I can't do this now." I turned away from him."Get in the car, I'm taking you home. And this time don't test my patience or else you will regret it." He swore after me as I stomped to his stupid vehicle.This was going to be a long drive. The air in the car was too stifling and the awkward silence was getting to me. I pressed myself far against my sea
Hayley "No way." I breathed out, shocked at the bomb that Amber had just dropped on me. "Yes way. This was the reaction I was dreading when I thought of telling you." She winced at the still befuddled expression on my face."Like seriously Amber. Dating the ex husband of your client?" I questioned in disbelief.Amber was a divorce attorney and apparently she just told me that her mysterious British man was one of her client's ex husband."I know. At least, they are divorced." She shrugged suggestively."Yeah it could be worse. I probably need something stronger after hearing all this." But sadly we were at a coffee house and on my lunch break."And we haven't gotten really intimate." She looked guilty. Of course, she knew that I was angry with her for keeping such a from me."Just save it Amber. I am your friend, your best friend at that and I will not sugarcoat anything for you." I paused to take a deep breath before going into details."I know." "This is a very terrible idea." I
HayleyI paused working on my new design. This was terrible. How could I handle this situation? The potential clients had requested a meeting at L'Baroque but with my husband in attendance.Should I be truthful and cancel the meeting or should I... No I can't think of doing that.I can't ask Kyle to come with me. I can't do that it rather my pride won't let me do it. Neither will Amber or my brother Joe, they both will roast me alive.Feeling that there was nothing I could do about it, I continued working on my design but with a fully worried heart.The door opened again. Mary must be back, I had told her to come back in twenty minutes. My twenty minutes must be up.But I was met with silence."Mary?" I called out, not looking up."Ma'am it's not Mary." I looked up to see Veronica. She was one of the junior interior designers with a really great portfolio. What was she doing here?"Hello Veronica." I leaned back against my chair. "I hope I am not intruding on your time. I wanted to d
KyleFor some reason I couldn't stop thinking about Hayley. Was it guilt or something else?But what?"Fuck." I rubbed the sore spot between my eyes grunting at the notification that popped on my screen.Simone: I know you are seeing my texts and you better the do yourself the favor of picking up your phone when I call.Simone has been on my neck, ever since she found out about my hook up with Hayley. Constantly nagging at me about the fact that I cheated on her with my soon to be ex wife.I admit that I made a mistake and I apologized frequently for it but she wouldn't just let it go even though I was still with her.The wistful feeling that went through me as I remembered the peaceful three years I spent with Hayley. She understood the terms and kept to boundaries.But I shook my head because I was not going to waste my time comparing two women."Simone, I just saw your text." I withheld the sigh that was about to flee my lips. I didn't want he"Seriously Kyle. You just saw my text!