Page 81 of Resisting Fate
Epilogue
Missy sat on Hailey’s mushy floral sofa, along with Lexi and Sabrina, the three of them already dressed and ready for New Year’s Eve. The rest of their friends were scattered around Hailey’s apartment, poking through her stacks of bridal magazines and romance novels in the living room bookcases, in the kitchen enjoying some of the veggies and dip Hailey had put out for them, or in Hailey’s bedroom putting the finishing touches on their hair and makeup under Hailey’s enthusiastic direction. They’d all shown up here—as far as Hailey knew—for a group pre-New Year’s Eve party prep. The party at Garner’s had become their annual tradition. The real reason they were gathered at Hailey’s apartment? Sabrina was holding an intervention.
When Hailey finally appeared in the living room—stunning as always in an off-the-shoulder black shirt with black miniskirt and black stilettos—Mad made an excuse to go, saying she’d forgotten something at home.
“What is it?” Hailey asked. “You can borrow something of mine.”
“All good,” Mad said, already heading to the door. “Won’t be long.”
Hailey’s brows scrunched together. “She’s going to be at least half an hour by the time she drives to her place and back.”
“No hurry,” Sabrina soothed. “It’s not even eight yet.”
“I suppose,” Hailey said, her brow creasing. “Anyone hungry?” she asked brightly, heading to the kitchen. “I’ll make up a cheese and cracker platter. Ooh, I have some olives too.”
Missy and Sabrina exchanged a look. It was Sabrina’s professional opinion, which they all agreed with, that Hailey needed to calm the frick down. She’d been running on hyper speed for more than two months, ever since Josh and Clarissa got together, and Sabrina feared Hailey was going to burn out. It was a real concern because Hailey’s wedding planning business would require a lot of work in the first half of the new year, not just from newly engaged couples, but also from Carrie and Zach’s wedding, which would be featured in the national magazineBride Special. That wedding had to be the wedding to top all weddings. For Hailey’s mental health and the future of her business, this intervention was a must.
They could hear Hailey chattering a mile a minute to sweet Lauren, the only one who’d stayed behind in the kitchen when the Hailey whirlwind arrived. The rest of them chatted quietly in the living room, waiting for the signal from Mad. Half an hour later, appetizers consumed and all of them on the edge of their seats, Sabrina announced, “Mad’s on her way.” That meant Mad was here, waiting just outside.
“Finally!” Hailey called from the kitchen, where she was finishing the dishes. She’d refused to let anyone help, saying she enjoyed keeping busy. “We’ve got to dance tonight, ladies! I’m so antsy being stuck indoors in the winter.” Antsy, hyper, same deal.
“Sounds good to me,” Lexi called.
“Hailey, could you come in here?” Sabrina asked. “I wanted to talk to you about the new year.”
“Just a minute!” Hailey caroled. “Let me just…” Some dishes banged into cabinets and then Hailey appeared in the living room. “Okay! What’re you planning?”
Missy shifted to the arm of the sofa and Sabrina patted the empty spot next to her. Hailey headed over and sat, crossing her legs, and turned to Sabrina. “What can I help you with?”
The room quieted. Everyone prepared to take Sabrina’s lead. She was the counselor, after all.
Sabrina spoke in a gentle tone, her words direct. “Hailey, now that the holidays are over, it’s time for you to slow down.”
“You’ve been scary hyper,” Missy put in.
Hailey huffed. “I’m not scary hyper. I’ve just been—”
“Working hard,” Sabrina interrupted. “Ever since—” she paused and Missy held her breath, wondering if Sabrina would confront Hailey on Josh “—well, ever since you decided to be open to relationships, ending your friends-with-benefits situation, you’ve had lots of loving energy pouring out.”
“All over the place,” Lexi said.
Sabrina sent Lexi a quelling look before turning back to Hailey. “And we all think you need to…focus that energy. It’s your turn to be loved.” She texted Mad for the signal while the rest of them chimed in with all of their good intentions.
“She’s right!”
“You deserve love!”
“We want you to be happy!”
Hailey gulped, her eyes shifting around the room nervously.
There was a knock at the door. Hailey jerked upright, stiff as a board, staring at the door like the devil himself might walk through, Josh being the devil.
“I’ll get it,” Sabrina said, rushing to the door and opening it.
Mad stepped inside carrying two duffel bags. “I’m back!”
Hailey sagged on the sofa. “Gah! I thought you ladies were doing some matchmaking, reversing the tables here.”
