Page 12 of Missing Pieces (Men of Manhattan 3)

I'd try again in a few minutes. I carried my bags down the stairs and walked over to the car. And that's when I saw her. She was curled up in the back seat of my car, her head resting on her duffel bag. It felt like I was seeing something I wasn't supposed to see, like I was intruding.

She had slept in the car? I scratched the back of my neck. Shit. I had let her spend the night in the car.

I thought back to when I had told her she should just fly to California. She said she didn't have the money. Why hadn't I offered to share a room with her? What was wrong with me?

Chapter 7

Hailey

Saturday

A tapping sound made me open up my eyes. I wiped the drool off the side of my face. For a second I forgot where I was. I looked out the window of the car to see a handsome face with the most breathtaking blue eyes staring back at me. And then I remembered where I was. And I remembered who that face belonged to. Crap. I quickly sat up and ran my fingers through my hair.

Tyler opened up the door. His lips parted like he was about to say something, but he immediately closed them again.

I plastered a fake smile to my face. "It took you long enough," I said with a laugh. "I was hoping to get on the road early."

"What?"

"I came down here hours ago hoping you'd be ready soon. I must have fallen asleep waiting."

He frowned. "Hailey, if you..."

"What?" I laughed again. "Now I know you like to sleep late. Give me one second, though, I need to use the bathroom before we head out."

He didn't say anything as I stepped out of the car. I felt my cheeks burning as I quickly walked toward the entrance of the motel. He knows. It was all over his face. And despite the fact that I had done some quality acting, he didn't seem to believe me. I didn't need his pity. I could afford to stay in a motel if I really wanted. But it wasn't just about me. Money was literally the key to life and death right now. I wasn't going to waste it on some crappy room in a motel that was just as good as the back seat of a car.

The man behind the front desk lifted his head as I made my way inside. "Was he happy that you ended up wanting to share a room? I'm sure he was glad you changed your mind."

I was so relieved Tyler hadn't followed me in to hear the lie I had told the owner last night. "Yup," I said. "Do you have a restroom I could use?"

"Second door on the left."

"Thanks."

I hurried into the bathroom and closed the door behind me. My reflection gave it all away. My makeup was smudged and my hair was a mess. I splashed water on my face and pulle

d my toothbrush out of my purse. I needed to be more careful next time. Tyler was already driving me across the country. I didn't need him to give me any more handouts. Maybe I'd offer to pay for breakfast just to prove I had money. That was a solid idea. I flushed the toilet and washed my hands. I applied a little makeup and then made my way out of the restroom.

"Have a good day, ma'am," the man at the front desk said.

"You too." I made my way back outside.

Tyler was leaning against his car with his hands in his pockets. He looked up at me as I approached. "You could have told me." He pushed himself off the car and stared at me. There was something accusatory in his gaze. He had no right to accuse me of something he knew nothing about.

"Told you what?" I climbed into the car and closed the door before I could hear his response.

He sat down in the driver's seat, but didn't start the car.

"I really don't know what you're talking about," I said.

"Hailey..."

"Look, I'm starving. Let's go get something to eat. I'm paying."

"I would have paid for your room."

"Jesus, Tyler, get over yourself. I'm not asking for your help, okay? I'm not a charity case. Please can we just go eat?" I bit the inside of my cheek. I didn't mean to snap at him. But I didn't need anything from him. I didn't need anything from anybody. And it was starting to eat away at me that I was on my way to California to beg for money. I wasn't a beggar. This wasn't me.

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