Chapter 25

Haley

I’m killing it.

Slipping through the crowd, making sure everything is going smoothly, and no one needs anything special, I get to hear all the things people are saying about my creativity.

I know this is Cole’s night. Or more specifically, his company’s big night, but it’s mine too. If I can impress these people, maybe they’ll keep me in mind for the future. Event planning isn’t an easy business to get into. Especially in this economy. Good thing I’m really crafty and frugal. Even with this party, I was able to cut a lot of corners and use things that look expensive but were dirt cheap.

Honestly, it’s probably all thanks to my parents that I’m like this. I can make a trash meal look gourmet if I want to.

Ugh, my parents.Even though I have zero regrets about cutting them out of my life, I still think about them. Still worry about them.

And lately, with Cole always hyping me up and telling me how proud he is of what I’ve accomplished, it’s hit hard that I’ll never hear that from my mom and dad. I’m so glad Cole’s parents are better than mine. Hearing his dad whoop and holler on the phone when Cole told him about the Marine Life building definitely patched a hole in my heart that my upbringing made.

To celebrate my man’s accomplishments is as wonderful as celebrating my own. It’s not just exhilarating, it’s healing.

The caterers bustle around, serving appetizers and snatching empty glasses. The signature cocktails are a hit. I’m thrilled. Standing in the corner, monitoring everything, I’m floating with the adrenaline that always hits me when I throw a party.

Cole cracks a boisterous laugh from one of the high-tops.

Aww, he’s so happy.

When I packed my life up and moved to Banner Bay, I never would have guessed our reunion would happen so fast and effortlessly. I owe it all to Cole saying we could start with a clean slate. He meant it and I will forever be grateful he gave us a second chance.

“You’re Haley, right?” a curvy, sexy brunette asks. There’s a mistletoe martini in her hand.

“Yes. Hi.” I hold out my hand for her to shake.

“I’m Tamara. Noah’s assistant.”

“Oh my gosh, Hi,” I say again, this time with a lot more gusto. “Cole’s told me so much about you.” She’s his work wife and I love that for her.

“This place looks amazing.” Tamara’s gaze glides around the room. “Cole’s hyping you up big time, too. I think it’s his mission to have everyone here use you for every occasion.”

Noooo. This isn’t about me, it’s his night! Why’s he hyping me up when he should be hyping himself up? “He’s so sweet.”

Jaedyn saunters over, one hand in his pocket. “Haley, it’s so nice to see you again.”

“You too, Jaedyn.” I shake his hand. “Enjoying cocktail hour?”

“These drinks are stupid good.” He takes a healthy sip of his Cranberry Mule. “Tamara, Noah’s asking for you.”

She rolls her eyes and sighs. “Okay.” She flashes me a smile and then quickly leaves with Jaedyn at her side.

It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to know they’re a couple. Not with how Jaedyn’s been staring at her all night.

The head of Blue House Catering rushes over. “We’re going to sound the bell in three minutes,” she says.

“Perfect.”

When the bell sounds and everyone moves into the larger room, I hold back my smile when I hear them oooh and ahhh over the way the room looks.

“I want the name of their coordinator,” someone says. “They’ve got to do my daughter’s wedding.”

“I wonder where Noah found them?” someone else says. “I’ll have to ask for their contact information.”

“Next Level Events,” Cole says, hearing them talk. “Her name’s Haley Davis and she’s incredible. I’ll send you her contact number if you’d like.”

“You’re a saint, Cole. Thank you.” The woman rests her hand on his arm as they enter the room together. “Oh my heavens, look at this place.”

He looks back at me and winks.

···

Cole

“And then I said, get me a corn dog, and everyone laughed.” Noah leans forward in his chair, clearly intoxicated.

I look around and flag down a server. “Can we get some more water?”

“Sure thing.” He scurries off to grab a pitcher.

Noah has a speech to make soon, and he’s already shitfaced. Seriously? This fucker is so unprofessional sometimes.

“It was hilarious!” He laughs obnoxiously. “You had to be there.”

“Clearly,” Charles Bowman says, dryly. “So, Cole.” He turns his attention to me. “We’re really excited to work with you on our marine life protection effort.”

“I’m thrilled to have the honor, sir. Ocean conservation is so important.”

“It truly is. My daughter is a marine biologist. She’s been working closely with several environmentalists in this area, and all along the East and West Coasts, to set up facilities that can hopefully help the environment.”

“That’s amazing.” I’m genuinely intrigued. “So does she want to focus more on animals or corals?”

“Both.” Charles smiles. “I think if she had her way, there would be frag nurseries along the entire shoreline of the U.S., Indonesia, and Australia.”

“What a dream.” I take a sip of my ice water. “It’ll be an honor to work with you both to make it come true, Sir.”

“Please, call me Charlie. We’re going to be working closely for the next three years or so to get your design up, and being called anything else makes me feel old.”

Across from me, Noah’s going on and on about something to Charlie’s wife, Sinclair. She doesn’t seem happy and worry creeps into my system. As she takes a sip of her wine, she looks over at Charlie and arches her brow.

It’s a signal for help.

Fuck.

“Come on, baby,” Noah mumbles, all up in her personal space. “Go for a ride with me.”

Sinclair’s eyes widen and she stands. “Charlie. We’re leaving.”

Shit. Shit. SHIT!

Just as Charlie asks her, “What’s wrong?”, Haley taps Noah’s shoulder and there’s a microphone in her hand.

Dread consumes me.

“It’s time for your speech,” Haley says, smiling.

“Right.” Noah shoves out of his seat and stumbles away from the table.

Charlie stands up with Sinclair mirroring him. “Unbelievable.”

I can barely keep up with the number of things going wrong at once. “How about I take it?” I say, jumping into action.

“No, I’ve got it.” Noah sways, and I hold his arm to keep him steady.

“You’re wasted,” I whisper against his ear. “Please, Noah, let me handle this.” I’ve never seen him this shitfaced before. I really didn’t even see him drink that much, to be honest.

“I said I’ve got it.” He shoves me back. “This is my company. It’s my speech. It’s my party.”

He’s making a scene.

“Tamara,” he hollers. “Where are my notes?”

Tamara pushes out of her chair and rushes over. “You didn’t give them to me, Noah.” She looks over at me, her face paling with panic. “What’s wrong with him?” she mouths to me.

I shrug.

“Never mind, here they are.” He yanks his cell out of his pocket and a little baggie filled with white powder falls out with it.

Holy. Shit.

This cannot be happening.

This. Cannot. Be. Happening.

With the long tables, and everybody staring at us, more than a dozen people can plainly see the drugs on the floor by Noah’s foot. He doesn’t notice. And as he stumbles over to snatch the mic from Haley, something in me turns feral.

I don’t want him near her.

I don’t want him here, period.

Jaedyn and Avery are on Noah in a flash. “We got this,” Jaedyn says, steering Noah away. Avery picks up the baggie from the floor and ducks his head, heading out after them. Numbly, I grab the mic and head to the center of the room.

My bowtie is strangling me.

The room’s spinning a little.

“On behalf of…” Fuck my life, I can’t believe this is happening. Clearing my throat, I try again. “On behalf of NGC Architects, I want to thank all of you for your support this year. We’re a tight-knit family who spends a lot of hours working together, and during this time of year, it’s good to appreciate what we’ve created together. I know Noah is grateful for the team he’s built and everyone who trusts NGC to design buildings that have turned Banner Bay into a beautiful, thriving area for so many.” Charlie and Sinclair march towards the door and my heart falls out of my ass. “May the New Year be happy, successful, and filled with love for everyone. Thank you so much for coming tonight and being a part of NGC’s extended family.”

The applause sounds muffled in my ears as I hurry out the door to chase Charlie and Sinclair down. There’s no way I can let them leave without apologizing to them first.

“Sir!” I yell, running through the lobby. But I stop dead in my tracks when I see him talking furiously with Jaedyn, who looks like he’s just been kicked in the balls.

“We will not work with a company who is so disrespectful and disgusting. Tell Noah the deal is off.”

I freeze in the middle of the lobby.

No.

NO!

Charlie doesn’t even see me as he puts his arm protectively around his wife and escorts her out of the building.