Page 124 of Tell Me Something

“My dear, you are to have the seat of honor.” Catherine led me to a chair in the middle of a long table.

Josh took the chair next to me.

Cocktails were delivered, and then Catherine spoke up again. “Right now we’re going to go around the table and each say something about how we met Haylee and how much we’ll miss her.”

I felt my face heat at the attention. Josh’s hand squeezed mine under the table.

Catherine continued, “I’ll go first. I met Haylee in the ladies’ room at a party in London.”

I smiled in remembrance and hoped to God she didn’t go into detail about my needing a tampon. Thankfully, she skipped that part, focusing instead on our instant bond over vintage dresses.

“You have become a good friend, and I’m honored to have gotten to know you over the last few months. I’m going to miss you like crazy, but I hope I can talk you into coming to New York some weekends,” Catherine finished up.

I nodded, fighting the tears as Brian went next. I couldn’t help feeling embarrassed as he described meeting me running in the gym.

Then it was Sasha’s turn. She described the opportunity for Delayne and getting to know me while we set up the proposal. “I wish you all the best. We will definitely need to plan on girls’ weekends in the future,” she concluded.

It was very emotional to hear about how everyone felt about me. Bart about had me in tears, and then Gina talked about the Bahamas shoot and seeing me in my mother’s wedding dress. Will recounted our very first model shoot and how we’d become friends right away. By the time we got to Mark, I felt a little nervous. How the hell would he recount our first meeting, considering it had been in the middle of the night in order to sign a NDA so that I could have sex with his boss?

“Well, my story isn’t quite so eventful as Haylee and I met over a contract deal via video.”

I took a large gulp of my wine and felt Josh clasp my fingers.

Mark continued. “I was lucky enough to find out she was interested in Yale and even luckier that I’ll soon be able to have her as a neighbor up in New Haven. I know you’ll make a great lawyer.”

I let out the breath I was holding and gave him a smile of gratitude.

Nigel and David were as sweet as they could be with their kind words about my being there with encouragement during David’s treatments.

I shifted in my seat when they got to Josh.

“Everyone knows how we met, so anything you’d like to say, Haylee?” he said simply.

I wasn’t sure if I was disappointed or relieved that he’d nothing to say. Swallowing hard, I finally found the words for everyone. “I can’t tell you what it means to have you all together like this. This last year was shaping up to be the worst year of my life. Then I came here, and it’s turned out to be the best. I have nothing but gratitude for each of you and your friendships. Catherine, Sasha: thank you for planning this. It really means so much.”

Catherine interrupted. “We can’t take all the credit. It was Josh’s idea.”

I hadn’t been prepared to hear that and felt his hand stroke mine again. I turned toward him. “I would be remiss without thanking you, Josh. If it wasn’t for you, I wouldn’t have met anyone else in this room. You either directly introduced me, or I met them because of the opportunity you gave me with the modeling and moving me to New York. So, thank you for the chance you gave me and, more importantly, for the friends I’ve met because of you.”

He looked a little taken aback. “I should be the one thanking you. You’ve made me a better man, a better friend, and even a better boss.” He leaned over and whispered, “I’m going to tell them.”

All eyes were still on us as I realized what he meant.

He brought my hand up to his mouth and kissed it.

I could feel the blood start to rush to my ears, and my heart felt like it would beat out of my chest. No, no, no, I screamed inside of my head.

“There was something special about Haylee when I met her. She was refreshing, candid, and I soon realized she had the biggest heart of anyone I’d ever met. She made me look forward to coming into work and even travel, which I haven’t enjoyed for the last few years. When she gave notice, I recognized that I was in love with her.”

I couldn’t breathe, and I didn’t dare look at the other people around the table.

“The timing is ironic to realize my feelings, considering she’s now leaving. But hopefully it will mean that you’ll see more of her in New York if I can convince her to try the not-so-long-distance route. And Mark, you’ll definitely be seeing me more in New Haven, too.”

“I don’t know what to say,” I whispered, finally recovering. I was saved from having to talk anymore when the food started to arrive.

“I’ll be back, just need to go to the ladies’ room,” I said, turning to Josh.

He stood up and pulled out my chair like a perfect gentleman.