Free Hailey's Truth by Cate Beauman Page B

as something changed. Knee-jerk desire turned to longing.
    Moments later, Hailey eased back, staring into his eyes. He skimmed his knuckles against her cheek as her gaze darted to his mouth. She tilted her chin up, inviting him to make a move. The heated look passing between them kicked his heart into a gallop, but he resisted, stepping back, preventing himself from making a mistake.
    Although he didn’t think of Hailey as a child like she’d accused, he did see her as Kylee’s nanny and Sarah and Ethan’s friend. Crossing the line into something more was bound to end badly. Long-term relationships couldn’t exist in his line of work. His dedication was to his job. He knew what Hailey sought, and it was nothing he would ever be able to give. “Are you okay?” He asked, taking another step back.
    “Yeah.” She looked down and fiddled with her fingers before she hurried to the patio door, letting Bear and Reece inside.
    Austin turned to the counter, needing something to do. He busied himself with the marinating vegetables. He cleared his throat in the awkward quiet. “I was going to grill up a couple of steaks, throw some veggies on too. If you’d rather, I’ll leave.”
    “No, you can stay.” Hailey went to the cupboard, took plates from the shelf, pulled a drawer open, grabbing silverware. She set the table in silence.
    Austin’s cell phone vibrated against his hip. He glanced at the readout and answered. “Casey.”
    “It’s Phillips. I know it’s your day off, but I need a favor.”
    Austin pulled the platter of steak from the fridge. “What is it?”
    “Jerrod Riley decided he wants to spend the night on the town. We’re leaving from an early dinner out and are heading for Club LAX. I’m a little concerned about crowd control.”
    “Do you need backup?”
    “I wouldn’t turn down an extra hand.”
    “When?”
    “As soon as you can. The women were all over him. His songs are number one and two on the charts right now. He’s a hot commodity, and the crowds are treating him like one.”
    Hunter wouldn’t ask for help if he didn’t need it. “I’ll be there.” Austin put his phone back and turned to Hailey. She was already gathering up the dishes.
    “I’m sorry. We’ll have to take a rain check on the steaks. Hunter needs my help tonight. Jerrod Riley decided he wants to spend a night on the town.”
    “Okay. I’ll see you around.”
    Her voice was still strained, still too quiet. She looked so sad, so alone. Austin reached for his phone, tempted to call Hunter and tell him he couldn’t come after all, but changed his mind. That would be the first step down the wrong path. “I’m on duty for the next few days. Why don’t I give you a call next week. We’ll schedule a snorkel lesson. You have to be a solid snorkeler before we can move to free diving.”
    “Okay, that’ll be fine.” She gave him a small smile that didn’t reach her eyes.
    He stepped toward her again but didn’t touch her. If he did, he would break all the rules. “I really am sorry about today. And about dinner.”
    She shrugged. “It’s over. I was planning to curl up with Bear and Reece and watch a movie on the big screen anyway.”
    The idea was so cozy, so appealing. This was the first time he’d ever considered putting work on the backburner to eat a slab of steak and sit through a movie with a woman.
    Not good.
    Austin reassured himself it was only because he couldn’t stand to see anyone hurting. He felt himself losing his footing as he stared into Hailey’s sad honey eyes. In defense, he turned away. “I’ll see you around.”
    “Yeah, see you.”
    Austin walked down the hall, then pivoted back, remembering his cap on the counter. He stopped cold in the kitchen doorway.
    Hailey leaned against the huge panel of glass, arms wrapped around herself, staring out at the city lights far in the distance. She was so small against the massive windows and view beyond.
    Austin took another step forward as a