“Seriously, Penelope?” He shakes his head. “How the hell could you not see that he was gay after reading this shit?”
Eight
Present Day
Penelope
I woke up in Hayden’s guest suite with a throbbing headache and a dry throat. The memories from last night were tumbling through my mind in an embarrassing rose hue that matched the champagne I abused.
An image of Simon helping me into a black car and carrying me past Hayden’s security guards kept playing on a loop. And I desperately wanted to believe that him seeing me drunk out of my mind was a dream and not a memory.
I can’t believe I drank that much.
“Ugh, why.” I groaned and rolled over to look out the window. The sky was still dark, and the sun had yet to peak over The Triborough Bridge.
On the nightstand next to me lay two bottles of chilled orange juice, aspirin, and handwritten note.
Working on the apology letters all day today.
Join me when you wake up—because we have a deal.
(Only if you’re 100% sober)
—Hayden
I tossed off the covers and unzipped my dress, letting the silk hit the floor.
After taking a long shower, I rummaged through the drawer that I kept at his place. Pulling on a pair of leggings and a Team USA sweatshirt, I followed the scent of freshly brewed coffee to the kitchen.
Surrounded by printed sheets and envelopes, Hayden was sipping from a cup at the breakfast bar.
“Hey.” I cleared my throat, and he looked up at me.
“Hey. Are you sober yet?”
“If I say no, can I sleep in for the rest of the day?”
“No.” He motioned for me to take a seat next to him. Then he slid a stack of cards toward me. “I finished these already. I just need you to look over them.”
“I’m sorry that I didn’t take all of your advice last night.”
“It’s okay,” he said. “You typically do that in the beginning with all your boyfriends, so I would’ve been surprised if you’d done otherwise.”
“Did I say anything embarrassing while he was here?”
“Embarrassing? No.” His lips curved into a smirk. “Highly inappropriate? Yes.”
“What the hell did I say?”
“Nothing he’ll ever know.”
“Do you think he’ll ever call since I got smashed on our first date?”
“He didn’t seem to be put off by it when he tried to kiss you.”
“Well, good.” I let out a breath. “What did you think of him? Honestly.”
“He needs to hire a better tailor.”
“I’m serious, Hayden.” I punched his shoulder.
“We didn’t talk much, but he seems decent.”
“Great. I need to ask you about a few things he mentioned while we were—”
“I don’t think so.” He pressed a finger against my lips, and my heart skipped a beat at his touch.
The alcohol must be coursing through my veins still.
“We’re talking about my letters for the next few hours.” He looked into my eyes. “And then I’ll let you waste my time by talking about Prince Charming. Deal?”
“Deal.”
Eight (B)
PRESENT DAY
Penelope
A few hours later, I circled a typo and looked up at Hayden.
“So, you trashed a penthouse suite at Marriott when we weren’t talking … So badly that the manager had to replace everything except the drapes?” I made sure I was reading his “Reasons I Need to Apologize” list correctly. “Why would you do something like that?”
“It’s a long story.” He handed me a check. “Put this in there before you seal it.”
“Will do. You know, I think it may be best if I just write a set of templates that you can adjust so you won’t have to spend so much time coming up with new things to say.”
“If two people get the same letter, they’ll get even more upset than they already are.”
“I’ll set it up so the words won’t repeat.” I opened my laptop. “I learned how to do this in a motivational speaking class. Trust me.”
“As long as Lawrence never finds out.”
“He won’t.”
Before I could start a fresh pot of coffee, my phone sounded with a new call. Simon.
I stared at the screen as it buzzed against the table. “Should I answer it?”
“Depends.” He crossed his arms. “Will you promise to accept my suggestion?”
“Yes.”
“Good.” He picked up my phone and tossed it onto the couch. “No. You don’t answer the phone the first time he calls you. You can answer it if he calls you a second time, though.”
“Why wouldn’t he just wait for me to call him back?”
He shot me a pointed look.
“Fine.” I held up my hands in a surrender. “I won’t pick up unless he calls a second time.”
“Good girl.” He pointed to his list. “Back to work.”
I crafted forty different templates, and downed an entire pot of coffee over the next couple of hours. I didn’t look at my phone or dare to pick it up—even when Hayden disappeared a few times to take phone calls.
It wasn’t until Sarah arrived with lunch that my impatience nearly got the best of me.