Hailey’s POV
Ever attended a family gathering and felt like you’d rather be anywhere else? Yeah, that was me.
Karen decided to throw a party to celebrate Kiara and her husband’s return. On a Wednesday night. Because apparently, midweek wine and forced small talk sounded like a great idea.
At first, I thought Kiara was just visiting. Turns out, I was wrong. They were back to stay. Or at least until the next shiny opportunity popped up and swept them away again.
I scanned the room—everyone smiling, laughing, congratulating Kiara’s husband for his amazing work abroad. The same husband who barely acknowledged me since he arrived.
“Bored already?” a familiar voice asked beside me.
I turned and broke into a grin. “Justin!”
We hugged tightly. Justin was Kiara and Xavier’s cousin, practically a brother to them. Tony and Karen had raised him after his parents died in a car accident when he was little. He rarely stayed in New York—always off chasing the next adventure.
“I didn’t know you were back,” I said, stepping back to look at him.
“Got in this morning,” he replied, brushing his messy blonde hair out of his eyes.
“I’m really happy to see you, honestly,” I said with a warm smile.
“I missed you too, Hailey.” He took a sip of champagne. “You’re looking a lot better. Last time—”
“I know, I looked like a zombie,” I cut in, laughing.
“I wasn’t gonna say zombie,” he teased.
“A monkey, then?”
He laughed louder this time. “No! You were still beautiful—just… not lively. It’s good to see you smiling again.”
“It’s been a few years,” I said softly. “I’m in a better place now. Thanks.”
“How are the kids?”
“They’re growing fast and very happy,” I smiled.
“I need to see them.”
“When did you last see them?” I asked, playfully raising a brow.
“Not long ago, come on. I was here for Uncle Tony’s birthday, remember?”
“Oh, right. Fair enough.”
“Ever consider staying put and working from home for once?”
“You’re hilarious,” I said dryly.
He grinned. “No seriously, that’s actually why I came back. I was supposed to be in Switzerland, you know.”
I rolled my eyes. “You came back for Kiara.”
“Kiara wouldn’t have cared if I missed her party. That’s not why I’m here.”
“Well, well, well… look who’s maturing.” We laughed together, our voices echoing softly in the hallway.
“There you are,” Karen’s voice cut through the moment like a knife. “I’ve been looking for you two. Time for pictures.”
I quickly downed the rest of my wine and forced a smile. “Coming.”
As we followed her to the photoshoot, I made a mental note: Smile, pose, disappear. I loved my family, I really did—but tonight, I just wanted to call Paige and hear her voice. Then maybe, just maybe, I could sleep.
Or maybe not.
“Hailey? What the hell are you doing here?” Paige stood in the building lobby, confused. The place was empty—no receptionist, no security.
“I just… needed to see you,” I said softly.
“At this time of night?” she frowned. “What happened to the party?”
“I left early.”
“Oh.” She crossed her arms, trying to warm herself.
“Are you cold? We can sit in my car.”
“You want to stay?” she asked. “Sorry—of course you do. We can go up to my place. Mom’s asleep.”
I shook my head, chuckling. “No, I don’t want to put you in an awkward position. It’s okay, I’ll just go.”
She reached for my hand. “Hey. She’s asleep—it’s fine.”
I exhaled. “Okay, okay. You look uncomfortable though. Let’s just sit in the car.”
“Is Bobby with you?” she asked as we walked to the elevator.
“No, I drove myself. I don’t make him work late.”
“I always wondered why.”
“Well, he’s with me all day. I need him rested and alert the next day.” The elevator doors opened to the garage.
“That actually makes a lot of sense,” she nodded, smiling.
We climbed into the back seat of my car. The silence was calm. Comfortable.
“I’m really sorry for disturbing your sleep, Paige.”
“It’s okay.” She gave me a soft smile. “I missed you too, if I’m being honest.”
My heart flipped. “You did?”
She nodded. “We can’t stay away from each other, can we?”
“Apparently not,” I laughed, though her voice carried something heavier.
“What’s wrong?” I asked gently.
“Nothing, I’m okay.”
“You’re clearly not. Tell me.”
She sighed, then turned to face me.
“I keep wondering if there’s more to this than just sex,” she said. “We never really talked about what this is, and it’s starting to feel… complicated. I just think we should be honest with each other.”
I hesitated. “But I want you. I thought that was obvious.”
“Me, or the sex, Hailey?”
I blinked. Then laughed. “Wait—you think I’m only in this for the sex?”
She shrugged. “You did just buy me a car. Kinda feels like a reward for... well.”
“Paige!” I gasped. “You really think I bought you a car because you f—”
“Can you blame me? All we do when we’re together is hook up.”
I rolled my eyes. “You’re being childish.”
“Excuse me?”
“Listen to yourself.”
She glared at me.
“Okay,” I said, taking a breath. “Since you want the truth... I don’t even know how to explain how I feel. Sometimes I think about you and I want to call, but I stop myself. I tell myself you might be asleep or busy.”
I looked down, then back at her.
“I get nervous when you’re close. Like right now. My heart skips. I feel those stupid butterflies every time you touch me. And when you kiss me, it’s like I forget how to breathe.”
She stared, silent.
“I didn’t think I’d say this tonight. Hell, I didn’t think I’d ever say this. But here we are.” I took a deep breath.
“I’ve fallen for you, Paige.”
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The Billionaire's Widow
RomanceHailey Anders After the death of her husband, the only thing that can keep Hailey going are her two little kids. They remind her that he still lives in them. Together with the company he left for her. Paige Carson Fresh out of college with impressi...
