"Is it obvious?"

"To me it is, but I can tell Garrett's not so sure."

"All of this is new to me. I never thought I could feel this way about another man other than Tre."

"Girl, let your hair down. Enjoy yourself. Garrett seems like he's not a pushover and he's not going to let you give up on him too easily."

"That's another thing. He doesn't let me get away with anything. I think that's one thing that attracts me to him."

"Him, looking like a GQ model doesn't hurt either now does it?"

Hailey laughed. "You got that right. But you know I've dated plenty of pretty boys in my life, but there's just something about Garrett that sends my hormones into overdrive."

Parris said, "That's because Hailey, my dear, he is the one."

"To scratch this itch," Hailey said, although she knew exactly what Parris meant.

Before Hailey and Parris could finish their conversation, Casper and Garrett entered the room both laughing at something Casper said.

"Man, we're lucky to be with the two most beautiful women in the world," Casper said, as he wrapped his arms around Parris.

"And you know it," Garrett planted a kiss on Hailey's cheek. The gesture caught Hailey off guard. He draped his arms around her and all Hailey could do was lean into his hard chest.

"Let's go sit on the patio," Casper said.

After getting situated outside by the pool, Casper announced, "Hailey, you're one of our best friends and we would love it if you would agree to be our baby's godmother."

Hailey's mouth flew open in disbelief. "You're going to have a baby."

Parris, excited, said, "We found out a few weeks ago. I wanted to tell you in person."

"Congratulations," Garrett said.

Casper rubbed her stomach. "Junior will be here in seven months."

"Princess," Parris responded.

Casper looked at Hailey. "As long as our baby is healthy, I don't care what sex it is."

"Wow, my best friends are having a baby. And I'm going to be someone's godmother."

"You know he or she will be spoiled," Hailey said.

"Stand in line," Parris said. "This one here has already started buying stuff for the baby."

Casper said, "I can't help it. This is my first and he or she will not want for anything."

Garrett said, "I feel you man. Whenever I have a child, I'm sure I'll feel the same way."

Hailey hadn't expected to get this emotional about someone else having a baby. Up until this point, she had never thought about having kids. Now, as she sat with her friends and Garrett by the pool, she thought of all the possibilities her life could hold if she had her own family. Garrett seemed to sense something and soothed her by rubbing her arm.

They chatted as Casper massaged Parris's feet. Parris must have been relaxed because she soon fell asleep.

"This baby has her taking naps every time we turn around," Casper said.

"She looks happy," Hailey commented.

"She is and so am I. Can you believe it? I'm going to be some kid's daddy," Casper said.

"You'll be a good daddy. If you can put up with me as a friend, you're going to do fine," Hailey joked.

The conversation remained light as they talked about how times had changed since they were growing up. Hailey didn't realize it until she felt Garrett gently shake her that she had fallen asleep.

Hailey heard Garrett say, as she woke up, "We'll definitely have to keep in touch."

Casper said, "Remember what I told you."

"What did I miss?" Hailey asked, as she rubbed her eyes.

Garrett kissed her on the forehead. "Man talk baby. Man talk."

Casper gently shook Parris. She stretched. "I apologize for falling asleep on y'all. This baby has me sleeping a lot," Parris said.

"Don't feel bad. Sleeping beauty here wasn't too far behind you," Garrett teased.

"I can't help it that your chest is like a comfortable pillow," Hailey responded, as she snuggled up closer to Garrett.

"I have no comment after such a wonderful comment." Garrett blushed.

Hailey thought it was cute that she was able to make him blush. She could really get used to having him around. Relaxing with him and her friends was the perfect way to end her day. If you would have asked her a year ago if this was possible, she would have denied it. Garrett had a way of making her see things in a new light.

"We should be going," Hailey said.

They said their good-byes. Casper whispered in Hailey's ear as they hugged good-bye. "He's the one."

Hailey started to open up her mouth to protest, but chose not to. Minutes later, they were in the car. She leaned back in her seat and closed her eyes. Hailey pretended to be still sleepy as she dealt with her new feelings for Garrett. Many questions crossed her mind. Had she been going out with the wrong friend all of this time? What if she was misreading Garrett's intentions? Hadn't he made his intentions clear. Maybe she would just be another notch on his belt. The number one question that kept popping up in her head was could Garrett be trusted? Could she trust him with her heart?

Her body stirred as she thought about the feel of his hands and softness of his lips. She wondered if she could give herself to him physically without getting emotional. She knew the answer to that was clearly no. She listened to the soft jazz playing in the background as they rode to her place in silence.

"Sleepyhead, you're home," Garrett said, as he entered the security code to the gates.

"Remind me to get my password changed," Hailey joked.

Hailey felt awkward when Garrett walked her to the door. They both acted like they didn't know what was to come next. "I would invite you in, but it's late. I have a show to do tomorrow and you. Well you have a business to run."

"Our time is coming," Garrett said, as he kissed her on the forehead. "Lock up."

Hailey activated the alarm. She watched Garrett pull out the driveway and the gate latch.

~ 23 ~.

Garrett woke up feeling like a new man. Spending time with Hailey last night and her friends gave him a small glimpse of hope. Although Hailey was resisting his advances because of her conflicting feelings for his trifling friend Trevon, he was not going to give up. He vowed to do whatever within his power to get her to change her mind.

He walked into the office with a smile on his face. He was determined not to let anything bring him down today. For the first time in his life, he was truly in love. "Good morning Caroline," he said, as he waltzed passed her desk.

"Garrett, someone's in your office," he heard her say a little too late.

The sight of Shareeka sitting in his chair quickly erased the smile on his face. He closed his office door. "What are you doing here?"

"I came to see Tre but he wasn't in, so I thought I would stop by and see how you were doing." She stood up and leaned over his desk showing off her cleavage.

He ignored her advances. "I suggest you put those two things up and go sit in your man's office until he gets here."

"Don't tell me that skank has her heels into you too," Shareeka stated with venom in her voice.

"I'm going to say this one more time and as nicely as I can. Please leave." He opened up his office door.

Caroline was looking in the direction of his office. Shareeka picked up her handbag and waltzed past Garrett.

"What's her problem?" Caroline asked, as she walked into Garrett's office.

"She's mad because she can't find Trevon."

"If she would have asked me, I would have told her where he was."

"You don't like her much do you?" Garrett asked.

"He could do better. She's nothing but a gold digger, but you didn't hear that from me."

"I will keep my comments to myself," Garrett said. He would have said more but wasn't too sure if he should be discussing his friend's personal business with his secretary.

"Now that Ms. Thang is gone, I wanted to remind you of the two meetings you had this morning. One client called in and said they would be running about thirty minutes late," Caroline said, handing him a yellow note.

"Have Trevon take the meeting at two."

"But," Caroline said, but stopped when she saw the "don't question me" expression across his face. "I'll make sure he's there."

"Thanks. Well if there isn't anything else, I really need to work on this strategy."

Caroline walked out and shut the door behind her. He didn't mean to be rude to her. He would apologize to her and treat her to lunch. Seeing Shareeka in his office put him in a sour mood. He regretted the day he ever laid eyes on her. He didn't' know what he was thinking once he realized she was Trevon's woman. He should have pulled Trevon to the side and told him right then and there that she was scandalous. Now he had let things go on for far too long and the only thing his revelation would do at this point would cause a rift between two long time friends.

"Trevon's on line two," Caroline said, from the interoffice intercom.

Garrett sighed. "What's up man?"

"Caroline told me about the meeting. Is there a reason why you can't take it?" Trevon asked.

"I'm trying to catch up on some things," Garrett responded.

"Just asking." Trevon paused before saying, "Man, let's do lunch. Lately we've been going in two different directions."

"Maybe tomorrow. I got the luncheon at the Marriott today remember."

Trevon responded, "Oh yeah, I forgot. Let me get off here. I need to prep for that meeting this afternoon."

Speaking with Trevon felt uncomfortable. He shouldn't feel that way. Trevon and Hailey were not an item. His feelings for Hailey and feelings for his friend were two separate things. Since they were, he wondered why he felt guilty. Guilty that the woman he loved was his friend's ex-lover.

The knock on the door broke him from his thoughts. "Come in," he yelled.

Caroline walked in holding a bouquet of fruit from Edible Treats. "These are for you."

He took them and looked for the card. "Do you know who they are from?" he asked.

"I didn't want to be nosy," she responded, before walking out of the office.

"Yeah right," he said, as he opened the card and read the words, "Thank you for a wonderful night. Signed H."

His clients had sent him thank you gifts in the past but he had never received anything remotely like this from a woman he was dating. He picked up the phone and dialed Hailey's cell phone. "You got them?" she asked.

"Thank you. That was very sweet of you," he said.

"I can be sweet when I want to be." He could tell she was smiling.

"What are you doing for dinner tonight?" he asked, since he had her on the phone.

"You're taking me out," she responded.

"I have something even better. I'll cook for you."

"Now this I have to see."

"Just name the place. Your place or mine," he said.

"I need a change of scenery. I'll meet you at your place."

"It's a date. I'll be by to pick you up around seven."

"No need to. I'll have Brenda drop me off and you can bring me home."

"Sounds like a plan to me."

They continued to talk for a few more minutes. A huge grin was plastered on his face even after Caroline walked back into his office. He took this time to apologize for his behavior earlier. "I'm sorry for snapping at you earlier."

She shrugged her shoulders. "No biggie."

He reached into his wallet and pulled out a twenty dollar bill. "Have lunch on me."

"I'll bring you back your change," she said.