Page 13 of Wicked Flirt
Hailey pursed her lips. “Yeah, well…”
Josh went on, gesturing to Hailey. “I mean, the hair, the face, even the designer dresses.”
Hailey sniffed. “It’s embarrassing.”
“Why?” Josh asked. “You got good genes.”
Lexi turned to Hailey, thinking the compliment might draw a smile, but no.
Hailey took another swig of her drink. “Because she’s still trying to look like she’s in her twenties when she’s not. She dyes her hair to match mine. Hers is actually blond and white, not strawberry blond.”
Josh tilted his head. “Do you shop at the same store?”
Hailey scoffed. “You know nothing about women’s fashion.”
“I know you both look like you stepped out of a glossy magazine at all times,” Josh returned. This was true.
Hailey’s eyes flashed, her color high. “It’s completely different!”
Josh shifted closer. “How?”
Hailey raised a finger. “For one thing she does it because she works at a high-end boutique andhasto wear their clothes. Besides, she gets a huge employee discount.” She finished her drink and gestured for Josh to give her another one.
He didn’t move. “Uh-huh.”
Hailey gestured again, lifting her glass in the air and shaking it.
Josh ignored her request.
Hailey lifted the glass to her lips, tapping the bottom for the last drop. She set the glass down with a thunk. “And her stuff is this season.”
“You mean winter?” Josh asked.
Hailey turned to Lexi. “Order a cran-vodka.” She jerked a thumb toward Josh. “The bartender likes to give me a hard time.”
“You got it,” Lexi said. “Josh, I’d like a cran-vodka, please.”
Josh ignored Lexi, his focus on Hailey. “So your mom wears winter clothes?”
Hailey let out a huge exasperated breath. “No. Her clothes are current, on trend, just hit the runways.”
He arched a brow. “And yours aren’t?”
“No.”
“Why not?”
“Because I can’t afford it, okay?” Hailey exclaimed. “I have to project a professional image at all times. Half my work is at the office, the other half networking in the community. How do you think I continually bring in new business?”
Josh remained unflappable despite Hailey’s outburst. “If you can’t afford designer stuff, then why’re you always wearing it?”
Hailey stood and pulled her gorgeous royal blue A-line dress away from her body. “This is two seasons ago! I got it from the consignment shop.”
“It’s beautiful,” Lexi put in. “Why don’t you have a seat and relax?” She guided Hailey back to her seat, whispering in her ear, “And keep your voice down.” It certainly wasn’t going to help Hailey’s networking if she spilled all her secrets to the locals. Some of the people around here were real gossips.
“I need another drink,” Hailey announced.
Lexi handed over her wine.
