Page 42 of Love Like This

“I don’t care,” Hadley said.

“You don’t?”

She smiled lazily. “Not in the slightest. You went to a lot ofeffort. For me.” She placed a hand over her heart. “That means a lot.” Hadley’sgaze dropped from Spencer’s eyes to her neckline. “Oh,” she said. “You lookreally sexy.” Hadley covered her mouth. “I shouldn’t have said sexy. It justflew right out of my mouth. You look…lovely. Pretty.”

“Let’s stick with sexy,” Spencer said, holding eye contact. Andhello to the heat she felt once their gazes settled. She owed Kendra big-timefor the top suggestion. Big-time. She would send her on an all-expense paidvacation if this evening worked out.

“Sexy it is.” Hadley glanced around, moving them out of thecharged exchange. “I love your apartment. The framed sketches on the wall. Veryyou. Are those yours?”

Spencer glanced behind her. “No. I wish. Gerard DeVoux, one of myfavorite French designers and someone who’s inspired me a great deal over theyears.” She studied the sketches. “He takes risks and they always pay off. Butnot the kind of risks that make you attend one of his shows and think ‘that wascool, but I’d never wear that.’ His stuff is risky but practical, which I wantfor my own brand.”

She felt Hadley’s hand on the small of her back as she stared atthe closest sketch. “I think you’re more than on your way to that verycombination. Also, I have good news for you.”

Spencer turned. “And what’s that?”

“I showed Trudy the final sketches, and even without the samplesin hand, she’s in. She’s putting together a round one order now. Get ready forpaperwork in a matter of days.”

Spencer covered her mouth as the information sank in. “I’m goingto be on Rodeo Drive?”

“And not just any part of it. One of the most highly acclaimedstores you could land. You should be really proud of yourself, Spencer.” Hadleybeamed at her, which made the celebration that much sweeter.

“This is all because of you,” Spencer said, meaning every word.She kissed Hadley, because she needed to. She was not only beautiful and kind,but she’d gone out of her way for Spencer at every turn.

Hadley laughed. “Was that a thank you?” she asked, softly touchingher lips.

“It’s many things.” They smiled at each other. Spencer feltridiculous, but there was just one thing she had to do. “Do you mind if I callmy mom? Just a real quick call.”

Hadley softened. “Please do.”

Her mother picked up on the third ring. “Baby girl? Everythingokay?”

“Mama, why do you always think there’s something wrong when I callyou? You have to stop this.”

“Because you text more these days. I’m a worrier, so when thephone rings, I worry. Does that mean nothing is wrong?”

“Everything’s fine.” She walked farther into her small kitchen tonot completely embarrass herself in front of Hadley, but she couldn’t waituntil later to share the news or it would be cold and stale. This was themoment she wanted to share with her mother. “Better than fine. I got the RodeoDrive order!” Because she was no dummy, she held the phone far from her earjust in time to dodge the ridiculous scream that came through the ear piece.Hadley laughed and Spencer pointed at the phone, shaking her head. “Sorry,” shemouthed. Hadley waved her off as if it were the most natural thing in the worldfor screaming mothers to show up on dates.

“My baby!” her mother crowed when she came back on. “You’re famousnow. Oh, I gotta call your grandma, and Susanne from across the street, AuntGladys. Her daughter works at the bowling alley part-time, and mine designsclothes on Rodeo Drive!”

“Don’t give Aunt Gladys a hard time. You two are way toocompetitive.” Her mother and Aunt Gladys were now competing LA real estateagents who had been rivals since childhood.

“Just let me gloat a little. She deserves it.”

Spencer closed her eyes and smiled. “A tad, then ease up. You knowshe’s sensitive about Denise.”

“The girl has no ambition. Wants to watch soap operas all day in ahousecoat and chat up bowlers all night in a miniskirt. Do you know what shesaid to Gladys the last time she tried to talk sense into her?”

“Mom, I do want to know, but can we talk about Denise later? Ihave to go now. I’m on a date.”

Her mother’s voice dropped to a whisper. “Is she pretty?”

Spencer turned to Hadley and nodded. “Very.”

“Is she nice?” her mother whispered.

“Way nicer than me.”

“She have a job?”

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