"She feels great to me." He squeezes her arm and she flinches. "We're going to finish up here and then head out. It was good to see you."
Fuck you too, Hale.
Adley springs to her feet, leaving Hale's hand hanging in mid-air. "You were getting me food because you thought I was hungover?"
"You told me once that the quickest way to cure it is to eat your favorite food," I say it, knowing that she'll remember when she first said those words to me. She was in my bed, fully clothed and on top of the blankets when I was nursing a hangover courtesy of New Year's Eve. She cooked for me. It tasted horrible but I didn't give a shit. I spent the day sleeping in my tuxedo shirt and pants because I was too sick to change. She was there for hours, by my side, making certain that I had everything I needed.
"It's true." She nods to exaggerate the point. "I already ate, but I'm touched that you thought of me."
I never stop.
Coming here for take-out was part of my longshot plan to see her tonight. I sent her a text message when I was in Central Park with Nolan's family. By the time I'd made it back to my place over an hour later, there was still no response.
I decided to make a house call with her favorite burger in hand even though I knew there was a good chance she was on a date. I didn't know that I'd run into her here with Hale drooling all over her.
"I'm going to take off." I hold Adley's gaze. "It was good to see you."
She leans back slightly and looks me over. "Are you all right? Is everything okay?"
I catch both her hands in mine and bring them to my lips. "I was concerned when you didn't make it to dinner at Ellie's. I'm glad you're good, Ad."
Her eyes lock on mine. "You're the best friend I've ever had."
I kiss her knuckles once more before I drop her hands. "I'm always around if you need me."
Her full lips part as if she's going to say something, but there's nothing.
"Enjoy your night, Crew." Hale darts to his feet, his arm wrapping around her waist. "I know we will."
She doesn't acknowledge him at all. Her gaze stays focused on my face. I turn and walk away, wishing like hell I was the one taking her home with me.
Chapter 7
Adley
"You're blowing up all over social media right now, Ad," Tilly whispers to me as she readies the paperwork for the slew of patients waiting to see Dr. Hunt and the veterinarian he brought on board two months ago, Dr. Carolyn Gallo. Business is brisk.
I look at Tilly. I know exactly what she's talking about. Ellie sent me a one-line text message last night.
You're officially a #halesbabe.
Whenever a picture of Trey and a woman is posted online by either a Hale fan or the paparazzi, it's tagged with the hashtag halesbabe. Last night I joined that club when an image of Trey and I that was taken outside Nova was posted to an Instagram account. The picture went viral within hours.
As of this morning, it's been shared more than ten thousand times and it has ten times as many likes.
Those stats don't impress me. I don't want or need that kind of attention.
"What's he like?" Tilly pretends to busy herself with the file in front of her. "Tell me everything."
I hate talking about personal things at work. I take this job seriously. Dr. Hunt took a chance on me when he gave me this position after I graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree and a love of animals. I've worked hard for him ever since.
"We had a burger, talked about our careers, and then he took me home." I don't look at her. I have too much to do today to waste time going over my uneventful date.
After Crew left the burger place, I told Trey that I needed to get home. He called for his chauffeured car and once we arrived at my apartment, I said goodnight without a kiss.
"There has to be more to it than that, Adley." Tilly sighs and taps her toe on the tile floor. "You don't have dinner with the most famous pitcher in the league and go home after dinner."
"You do if you're me."