20.

*had in her grasp was more than likely doing the same. That was a conversation we'd save for another day, preferably after I went through menopause.

The following morning, Kalen and I saw Mom off. We were all teary-eyed as we said our goodbyes. Kalen promised to read the labels closer on everything she ate and drank. Mom turned to me. "Take care of your sister and your new girlfriend." She winked. "You're right about Hailey-she is special."

Kalen and I stood back and watched her go through security.

She looked over her shoulder and blew a kiss as she headed to her gate. Kalen sniffed. "I wish she didn't live so far away now."

"When your baby arrives, they'll be here so often that it'll feel like they live here." I took her by the arm and began leading her through the airport. "You'll be begging for them to go back to Florida then."

Kalen wiped her eyes with the back of her hand. "Was Hailey upset about what Zoe had to say?"

"Not after I explained to her what actually happened." I opened the door to the parking lot for Kalen. "Thank you for jumping in there and defending me."

Kalen gave me a sideways glance as she pa.s.sed in front of me. "I like her, even though I was poised not to, but she's sweet and seems to be very genuine."

"Thanks, I'm glad she has your approval. Look at it this way,"

I said with a smile. "You and Toad have two babysitters now."

20.

Chapter 32.

Belated Valentine's Day gifts...

Hailey's favorite holiday is Valentine's Day, so we decided to have a belated celebration. Frankly, I just wanted a reason to spoil her rotten, and this was the perfect excuse.

I sent Hailey off to work with a toe-curling kiss and warned her to be prepared for spoiling when she got home. I'd already bought her gift-a diamond heart necklace-but Fuzzy and I had preparations to make. We went up to my apartment and gathered all the stuff that I'd been collecting. She was no help with the carrying, and I had to make two trips.

In the past week, while Hailey and I had been playing switch- house and taking turns sleeping in both apartments, I learned some things about her. First, she spits toothpaste all over the mirror and faucet. I don't know how she does it because I've watched her brush, but it's there when she finishes. She doesn't eat leftovers.

If it's been in the fridge for over twenty-four hours, it's all bad.

And she has the uncanny ability to smell chocolate from at least fifty paces, maybe even through a closed door. And that's why I had to hide everything in the closet of my spare bedroom.

In her apartment, I hid half-dozen four-inch solid dark chocolate hearts that I special ordered from a bakery like I was hiding Easter eggs. I quickly realized that I had to hide them high because Fuzzy gleefully retrieved one and brought it to me. "This one can be from you since you signed it with your teeth," I told her as I placed it on the book shelf.

Next, I arranged a dozen red roses in a vase and set them on

20.

*her table. They'd been smelling up my closet from the day before but still looked fresh and beautiful. I took the second dozen and pulled off all the petals and sprinkled them across the bed. I'd seen it in a movie and always wanted to try it. After I had them all spread out, I realized why I'd never done it before...I'd have to clean them up later.

Fuzzy jumped up in the middle of the bed and rolled in them with a look of complete joy as her tongue lolled out of her mouth.

"Get down! Oh, you're ruining it! I had a whole petal feng shui thing going there." I spent the next five minutes brushing them from her fur and rearranging them into the shape of a heart, then I locked her a.s.s out of the bedroom.

After I'd put Hailey's necklace into a gift bag and filled it with confetti hearts, I was ready to go back upstairs and work.

Fuzzy the destroyer went with me and spent most of her time in front of my TV watching music videos. I sat at my desk and tried to focus, but my mind kept wandering back to Hailey and the night we'd spend. I'd just begun to make sense of the numbers when I heard a knock on the door. Kevin stood in the hall with a huge bouquet of flowers.

"Oh, Kevin, you shouldn't have. I'm spoken for."

"I wouldn't have," he said as he handed them to me.

"Something this size had to have cost a fortune."

I closed the door thinking that was probably why Kevin was still single. He was right, though, the arrangement was huge and filled with roses, lilies, and brightly colored flowers. The card written in Hailey's own hand was sweet. You're the reason I've looked forward to this day. H.

I sent her a text message saying that some woman named 'H' sent me flowers, and she had some compet.i.tion. Give me her address was the reply.

An hour later, I was chugging along on the Rampart store monthly audit, and there was another knock at the door. This time, Kevin stood in the hall with a balloon bouquet. Giant red hearts floated around his head. "These are cheaper. Are they from you?"

I asked, batting my eyes.

I could tell he wanted to grin. Instead, he said, "no," as he 210.

*handed them to me. The card was again inscribed with Hailey's handwriting- I wish I were there with you. H.

I sent another text message telling Hailey that Ms. H had struck again, this time with balloons. She replied, Wait till you see what I got you, you'll throw rocks at Ms. H.

I laughed aloud when I heard a knock an hour later. Kevin wasn't laughing when he handed me a cookie bouquet filled with heart-shaped cookies and candies. "Let me tip you for your trouble." I handed him one of the larger cookies.

"Thanks," he said as he retreated down the hall.

Hailey, it's over. Ms. H has seduced me with cookies.

Her reply- d.a.m.n, you're easy.

I wasn't surprised when an hour later there was another knock.

"Kevin, now stop it, you're just being ridiculous." He rolled his eyes as he handed me the gift basket. Hailey had been to Bath & Body Works. The basket was filled with all the stuff I loved. The card said, I was going to give you a gift certificate for a ma.s.sage, but I'd rather do that myself. H.

Before I could send a message to Hailey, she sent me one. You won't have to worry about Ms. H anymore. I've found her, and she won't be sending you anything else, so you'll have to settle for me.

At four, I took a shower and used some of Hailey's gift to make me smell nice. Fuzzy got a spritz of body spray, too, and pouted for ten minutes. Afterward, I picked up dinner and took it and Fuzzy down to Hailey's apartment where Fuzzy was dressed in her cupid costume. I played h.e.l.l getting her halo aligned, but the bow and quiver fit nicely on her back. Her thick fur prevented it from sliding, unlike the halo.

Hailey walked in just as I was setting the table for dinner.

"Oh, look at Fuzzy Cupid," Hailey said as she stepped in the door and kicked off her shoes. Fuzzy did a circle dance at her feet as she showed off her costume. I walked over to Hailey and tried to pull her into my arms. Her purse hit me squarely in the stomach before I could get close to her. "Sorry." Hailey stepped back to toss it aside. She gave me a quick peck before she reached for Fuzzy.

211.

*"Don't pet her, she shot me with an arrow today."

"Oh, yeah?" Hailey gave Fuzzy a pat anyway. "Show me where and I'll kiss it."

"I'll have to show you later. It's hidden under my clothes."

"Forget later, show me now."

Fuzzy yipped her displeasure at being ignored. "I guess you can pet the cupid while I serve dinner. I'm sure she won't mind if you relieve her of her gear."

I watched them as I put the Chateaux Briand onto our plates.

Hailey took off Fuzzy's costume and scratched her belly. "Now this is all the petting you're gonna get out of me, I want to pet Shannon tonight."

I moved the potatoes onto the plates and set them on the table as Hailey washed her hands in the kitchen sink. I told her the bedroom was off-limits since I'd moved her necklace to the middle of the heart on the bed. She kissed me again before taking a seat at the table and rolling up her sleeves.

"My favorite," she said as she sniffed the air above her plate.

"How did you know?"

"I didn't, it's just what I picked out."

"Excellent choice." Hailey took a bite of her steak and sighed.

"Your dessert is hidden all around this apartment. I'll tell you that there are six, but that's the only hint you'll get out of me."

"Hmm." Hailey took a sip of her wine and looked around. "For every one I find, you have to take off an article of clothing."

I met her daring look. "Deal."

"d.a.m.n it, you're gonna make me rush through this meal,"

Hailey said before taking a bite of her salad.

"Ms. H sent me some wonderful gifts today. It's a shame you did away with her because I was gonna rock her world."

Hailey tucked her hair behind her ear and smiled. "Pity," she said. I watched as her eye caught something in the kitchen and a smile spread across her face. "Be right back." She walked straight into the kitchen and plucked the red box off the wine rack and returned with a triumphant smile. "Lose the pants."

I stood and pulled off my khakis. Hailey frowned. "I wish you would've worn a shorter shirt."

212.

*"Pity, guess you're gonna have to find another heart to see the rest."

Hailey took another bite of her steak, her eyes smoldering.

"You smell nice."

"Compliments of Ms. H." I lowered my voice to a seductive tone. "She knows what I like."

Hailey turned around in her seat and stood again. This heart was hidden better, but she managed to spot it leaning against her books on the shelf. She returned to the table and laid it atop the other one. "The shirt this time."

"Ah-ah, that one's from Fuzzy, see the teeth marks."

Hailey pursed her lips. "You didn't mention anything about Fuzzy when we made the deal. I think we should compromise."

I lifted a brow. "State your terms."

Hailey's gaze roamed over me. "Are you wearing a bra?"

I shook my head as a smile curved Hailey's lips. "Unb.u.t.ton the shirt." Her eyes moved to my chest as I loosened each b.u.t.ton.

"I don't think this is very fair. I'm half-naked and you're still fully dressed."

"I'd really like to take my pants off," Hailey said. "You're making me uncomfortable in a good way."

"So do it." Hailey unb.u.t.toned her pants and wiggled around in her chair until she got them over her thighs. She kicked them off without ever standing.

"Okay, I feel cheated. I was expecting some sort of provocative dance."

"I'm shy." Hailey smiled over the top of her gla.s.s before she took a sip.

"You're shy? I had you in every position imaginable last night." I took a sip of my wine and grinned. "You don't want to admit that I worked you out good and you're sore."

Hailey's grin was as c.o.c.ky as mine when she replied, "I can handle anything you dish out."

I looked over at my half-eaten steak and pushed it away. Hailey took a sip of her wine, her green eyes were full of challenge.

"Two hearts down, and two are in the bedroom where you can't go."