Chapter 32

Hayden

I hold my breath,waiting for her to respond to my offer. But she just looks confused more than anything.

"You could help me out? In what way?"

I shrug as though this isn't something I've thought about in great detail. "I do have a few industry contacts, you know. I know lots of actors who like to support up-and-coming designers. If you made a dress that was seen on the red carpet …"

Her eyes go wide at the full implication of what I'm suggesting, and she immediately starts shaking her head.

It's my turn to look confused because that's not at all the reaction I was expecting, much less hoping for.

She rolls away from me, pushing herself to sitting, clutching the blankets to her chest like a shield. I sit up as well, though I don't have the matching urge to cover myself. She holds out a hand as if warding me off, though I'm making no move to get closer to her. "Whoa, whoa, whoa," she says. "Hang on a minute. What are you talking about?"

"You've shown me pictures of the things you've made. Plus I've seen your workmanship on the costumes. Even Mia says you're talented. If you're wanting to try designing, I could put you in touch?—"

She waves a hand, cutting me off. "No. Hayden, no."

Perplexed, my brow wrinkles. "What? Why not?"

"It's just … I just …" She opens her hand in front of her, palm up, as though trying to pluck the words she's looking for out of the air while her other hand clutches the blankets to her chest. Finally, she shakes her head. "I can't do that."

I still don't understand. "What can't you do?"

She throws her hand in the air. "I can't let you take care of me!"

My head jerks back in surprise, both at her words and the vehemence of them.

Her head tilts to the side, her expression changing to one of entreaty, her hand reaching between us. "I need you to understand, Hayden. This, what we have, is wonderful, and I …" She looks around, still seeming to grope for the right words, but she can't seem to find them.

I think it's because there are no right words. She doesn't want to hurt my feelings, but she definitely doesn't want my help. She doesn't want more from me than this, what we agreed on in the beginning.

I hold up my hands in surrender. "It's fine, Victoria. You don't have to explain anything to me. You don't want my help. That's okay. I guess I misunderstood the situation."

Her eyes narrow, and she studies me with her lips pressed together. "What situation?"

"Us!" This time I'm the one throwing my hands in the air in frustration. "This. Do you really want it to end when I leave? Is that actually what you want?"

She's still. Quiet. As though drawing into herself more. "I don't really see any other option."

I want to growl in frustration. "Really? You don't see any possibility of something more? You can't envision any way for things to work out?"

Her exhale is harsh, and I hate this. I hate that we're arguing. This was supposed to be a positive conversation. Challenging, maybe, but one where we find a mutually agreeable way to move forward. Instead, it feels like everything is falling apart.

I should've waited. I should've waited until we were closer to finishing the film. Closer to being done. If I was leaving in a week—or less—it might be more pressing to find a solution to something that's an imminent problem. Whereas now, she's still recovering from her busiest week.

Holding up a hand, I forestall whatever she might've said next. "Look. I'm sorry. Let's not … let's not do this now. I don't want to waste what little time we have fighting. Just think about it, okay?" When she doesn't immediately respond, I reach for the hand that's still lying on the bed between us, lacing my fingers through hers. "Please?"

She stares at our joined hands for a moment, then gives the barest hint of a nod. "Okay. I'll think about it," she says quietly.

It's not the outcome I was really hoping for, but it's better than where we seemed to be headed, so I'll take it. For now.

Eleven o'clock on Saturday morning comes too soon, especially since it took a bit for us to find our way back to our normal easy rapport after the discussion last night.

After several lingering kisses and a hug goodbye, I finally leave so Victoria can go pick up her daughter from the sleepover, and as I climb into my car, I wonder if this'll end up being the last time I get to stay the night with her. Will she even try to find another sleepover opportunity before I have to leave? This coming week is Erin's last week of school. Don't kids have sleepovers all the time in the summer? That's what TV shows and movies taught me, at least.

I can see the logic to it, but I'm not sure how well that matches up to reality.

One thing's clear, though. She doesn't want more from me than sex and possibly emotional support. Tangible financial help is off the table, at least right now.

I can't help wondering if part of that is because I've made such a big deal about not wanting to be used for my connections and money anymore. Is that why she won't even entertain the idea of me introducing her to movie stars looking for red carpet dresses?

But what if Mia helps her? Or Aurora?

Or what if Mia lets slip to Aurora that she's seen some of Victoria's designs and then Aurora talks to Victoria about a new dress on her own?

Then it wouldn't be me helping her. Not really. She'd be leveraging other contacts—and if she's making dresses, it makes sense that Mia, the costumer, might recommend her to another woman rather than me doing it.

So what if I'm the one who nudges Mia into it? We all end up getting what we want. Mia gets to help, which'll make her happy. Aurora'll get an amazing dress, which will make her happy. Victoria'll get to create a dress for an A-list celebrity, get her work seen on TV and fashion sites across the world which will lead to more work and name recognition, and I'll get the opportunity to continue my relationship with her when she's less tied to a judgmental town and a job she doesn't even like that much. She'd get to live her dream. And I'd get to watch and cheer her on.

I see no downsides to this plan. The sooner I enlist Mia's help, the better.