The Billionaire's Widow

15

Hailey’s POV

“Come in!” I called out, and Paige walked in, holding a sleek black rectangular box. She looked nervous—then again, that seemed to be her usual state around me.

“What is it?” I asked.

“I know you said you didn’t want to hear any apologies, but… please accept this as one.” She gently placed the box on my desk.

I raised a brow. “You got me a gift?”

“Yes. It’s not what you’re used to, but it’s what I could afford at the moment,” she said, looking down.

Curious, I opened the box.

“Paige freaking Carson,” I said with a laugh, pulling the wine bottle out. “Oh my goodness—you know me so well!” I smiled, turning the bottle in my hand. “I can’t believe you bought me wine.”

“Well, I thought it might help you forgive me,” she said shyly.

“Of course I forgive you—after seeing this.” She beamed.

“Really?”

“Yes! Now bring me a glass. I want to taste this.” I chuckled. “Where’d you even buy it?”

“There’s a little shop just a few minutes from here.” She placed a glass on the desk, and I wasted no time uncorking the bottle and pouring myself a glass.

“Oh my God!” I took a sip. “I love it.” Another sip. “It has that homey taste. Rich, fresh... even earthy.” I took another big sip. “You have to get me more.”

“Um… you have a meeting in thirty minutes,” she said gently as I drained the glass.

“You’re right.” She took the bottle and glass away.

“But you’ll get me more, right?” I asked.

“Yeah, I will.”

I smiled. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome. Um… do you need anything else before I go?”

Actually, yes. I still hadn’t asked about the “family problems” she mentioned the other day.

“Yeah, sit down for a moment.” She nodded and did as I said. “You mentioned family issues the other day. Is that why you got drunk Sunday night?”

The surprise on her face told me she hadn’t expected me to ask.

“Partially,” she said, avoiding my gaze.

“Is it a financial crisis?” Her eyes widened.

“No, it’s not that. I just…” She paused.

“If you’re not comfortable talking to me, I get it,” I said. “I just want to understand what’s going on so I can help you. If something’s going to affect your focus at work, I need to know what it is.”

She let out a dry laugh. “My sister and little brother had a fight the other day, and my mom blamed me.”

That confused me. “Why would she blame you?”

“Because they were arguing about my life. My sister thinks I need to settle down, and my brother says she should mind her business. The fight happened a week ago, and I brushed it off, but… my love life still haunts me. It’s giving me sleepless nights.” She laughed bitterly. “I went out hoping I’d feel better. Instead, I just made everything worse.”

“You’re only twenty-three. She shouldn’t be pressuring you to get married.” Says the woman who was married at twenty-one, I thought.

“Is your boyfriend ready to settle down?” I asked.

She chuckled. “Boyfriend? I don’t li—I don’t have a boyfriend, Hailey.”

“Oh.” That caught me off guard. A beautiful girl like her, single?

She stood suddenly. “I should get back to work.”

“Um, okay.” I let her go, but couldn’t help wondering if I’d said something wrong. Did I make her uncomfortable? Did I trigger a bad memory? Or maybe she’s… No. She’s too much of a good girl to be—

I sighed, frustrated that I couldn’t help her.

Wait… maybe I should invite her to the twins’ pool party next weekend. She was supposed to plan it, but I’ll hire an event planner instead. Just this once, she can attend as a guest.

Paige’s POV

My phone rang again—for what felt like the hundredth time. Kim. She just wouldn’t stop calling.

Yes, that Kim. My ex. The same one I slept with the other night.

I had no idea how she even got my number—I’d changed it after we broke up.

Finally, fed up, I answered.

“What?” I snapped.

“That’s not how you greet your girlfriend,” she said.

What?

“What are you talking about? We broke up. You broke up with me after you cheated. Or did you forget?”

“I said I’m sorry. I still love you.”

God.

“Kim, I don’t want to hear it. I was drunk the other night and made a mistake bringing you here. But I’m not doing it again.”

“Come on. You can’t still be mad about something that happened three years ago.”

I scoffed. “Well guess what—”

My intercom rang. I sighed. “Ron?”

“Paige, Hailey Anders is here to see you. In fact, she’s already on her way up. Says she knows your floor.”

“What?” My elevator dinged. I let go of the intercom button and went to the door just as Hailey walked in.

“Hailey?” I said, stunned. “How…?”

“If you’re wondering how I found you—I looked at your file,” she said casually.

“Right. Please come in.” She was already inside, but I meant she should sit.

“Thank you. Nice place,” she said, glancing around.

“Thanks.” An awkward silence followed. “Can I get you anything?”

“If it’s that wine, I’ll take it,” she said with a smirk. We both laughed.

“Unfortunately, I don’t have any right now.”

She nodded. “I came to invite you to my kids’ pool party. It’s next weekend—Saturday.”

“Saturday?” I blinked. “But we have work on Saturdays.”

“Not this one. You’re officially off,” she said with a smile.

I hesitated, but the kids would be thrilled to see me. I should probably get them gifts.

“Please say yes.”

“Um… sure. I’d love to come.”

“Perfect. The twins will be happy to see you.”

“I can’t wait to see them,” I said, smiling at her.

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