Page 45 of Love Like This

Spencer was intrigued by that answer, because in her years inschool, it was always about the designer. Their vision, their perspective,their art, and the stamp they wanted to leave on the fashion world. She’dembraced that ideology but hadn’t really considered the end result and theeffect her designs might have on a customer. On how they’dfeel.

“We’re so different,” she marveled, though it was more of aconfession. Because Hadley left her humbled. Not at all a bad thing,just…eye-opening. Like the fun aspect of white wine.

Hadley took a bite of chicken and considered the statement. “Howso? You disagree?”

“I don’t. I’m just a selfish asshole, apparently. I see my job andevaluate my success based on my role in the process. It’s all about me. You’relooking at it through the lens of how others feel. The result that fashion hason the world, which is a much more noble stance. I suck.”

“You don’t either. It’s your job to focus on your designs, makingyou not at all selfish. Stop that. As someone who handles theretailside of things,I’m customer focused. More salad, please. This dressing is from the angels.”

“Also known as my mother. Her recipe.” Spencer passed the saladbowl.

“Don’t lose it. It’s a keeper. You’ll want to pass it down to yourown children one day.” Hadley paused. “Do you want children?”

“Yes,” Spencer said. “Does that surprise you?”

Hadley poured a good amount of dressing onto her salad and thenadded some more. And then a little more. Spencer smothered a smile at her pileof dressing with a little bit of salad. “It does, actually, given what I know.”

“I mean, I don’t want themtoday.But in the scheme of life, I would definitely like one, maybe two rugrats ifwe’re talking about best case scenario.”

“So, you’re not afraid of long-term commitment when it comes tochildren?” Hadley ate a forkful of salad.

Touché. “I’m not afraid of long-term commitment, Hadley.” Shegestured with her fork in a circle. “I’m just not going to stress out aboutforcing it with one person my entire life when I’m not sure humans are made forit.”

Hadley leaned in, dipped her head, and caught Spencer’s gaze.“Trust me. They are.”

Spencer laughed. She should have seen that coming. “Your thoughtsare noted for the record. But let’s say it doesn’t work out after ten, fifteenwonderful years with someone. Without the messy piece of paper binding twopeople together, they can disentangle their lives and move forward.”

“That is the most unromantic sentiment, Spencer. Does your motherknow you feel this way?”

“I think so.”

“You should make sure she does. If not, maybe she’ll give you atalkin’-to.”

Spencer nearly spat out her food. “A talkin’-to?”

“Yes, a stern one. You need it.” Hadley stood and placed a hand onSpencer’s shoulder. “You sit and finish your wine and let me get these dishes.”

“Absolutely not. You’re my guest. I’ll do the dishes.”

“You prepared a wonderful meal for me and I’m doing them andthat’s final. If you say no again, I’m going to throw a fit and leave. Do youwant me to leave?”

Spencer stared at her wide-eyed, unable to tell if Hadley wasbluffing or not. “I mean, no, I don’t.”

“Good, then sip that wine, and I’ll be with you shortly.” Luckilyfor Spencer, she had a dishwasher, which only required Hadley to load and notscrub. As she rinsed the dishes under the faucet and moved them to thedishwasher, she hummed softly to the music and swayed her hips. At one point, shepulled her hair out from the clasp that held it partially back, letting thestrands of blond tumble down fully. If washing dishes had ever looked better,Spencer wouldn’t have believed it.

“You sure I can’t help?”

“Only if you want to see me break down, tears cascading from myface in failure.” Hadley passed her a preview of what that might look like.

Spencer held up her hands. “All you, then.” As she watched a calm,cool, and collected Hadley putting the finishing touches on her now cleankitchen, she couldn’t help imagining the kind of life where they’d trade off onthose kinds of chores or take quiet dinners together. Way too early to beenvisioning those kinds of evenings, but she found herself doing it anyway.

“What are you daydreaming about over there? Whatever it is, itlooks pretty wonderful,” Hadley said. “I detect you’re a million miles fromhere.” She dried her hands on a dish towel and tucked a strand of hair behindher ear.

“No, I was actually much closer.” She stood and walked slowly toHadley. “Thank you for doing that.”

“I might have earned a little something,” Hadley said, lookingskyward and pointing at her lips.

“More food?” Spencer asked playfully. “I have an apple pie we canpop in the oven for later, and it has the most interesting lattice design onthe crust. I think you’ll like it. I didn’t make it, though. It’s one you buyand heat.”

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