Still. Progress was progress. We were talking. She hadn’t asked when we were going to sign the divorce papers. I was making progress whether I was back in her bed or not.

We were about to get into the elevator when a woman approached us. Her jeans could’ve been painted on and her top was cut low enough that most guys could guess her cup size.

“Kate? Hey!”

Kate’s expression went from her usual curious fascination when we were in a new hotel to bland. “Hailey. Hi.”

“Oh my gosh. You finally brought your husband to one of these.”

Hailey extended her hand, her smile wide enough to devour me whole. Tension started at my shoulders and ran down my body, muscle by muscle. Why would Hailey care if I was here?

I was sifting through my memories for a Hailey that Kate might’ve mentioned when Hailey said, “Yeah, my dad is in the wind energy business. Mertens Energy.” She flashed me a self-deprecating look. “Hailey Mertens.”

The amazing luck that had landed me in the same hotel room as my wife vanished. Mertens Energy was a vocal critic of the oil and gas industry. Dad and I had done a lot to keep out of Mertens Energy’s spotlight, mainly from their owner and CEO, Gregory Mertens.

“Nice to meet you. I guess you already know me.” I clasped her hand for a shake and she latched on like she was going to cuff me, her other hand slapping onto both of ours.

Hailey’s giggle crossed the line into flirty. “My dad was just talking about King Oil the other day.”

The elevator dinged and I wanted to run, but I had to extract my hand first without looking like her clammy touch was revolting. I couldn’t undo all of the progress we’d made with Mertens Energy by being rude to his daughter.

The elevator doors closed and Kate pressed the button again. Grateful she’d skipped the first open elevator, some of my tension eased. “How is Gregory doing?” I asked politely.

Hailey shifted and it somehow brought her between me and Kate. “Dad’s good. He’s working on a new wind farm in your neck of the woods. You’re in Billings, right?”

I nodded and heard the elevator ding. Kate’s presence centered me. I’d finish this conversation, then take her out to a nice meal tonight.

“So, I’ve been dying to hear an oil company’s take on the whole wind energy topic.” She swung her hair until long, shiny locks landed over her shoulder. “I hear my dad’s side all the time.”

People streamed out of the elevator. No one else waited to get on. Just us.

I was asked about wind energy more than Hailey would expect. “Well—” Kate lifted her suitcase from my hand and disappeared inside the open elevator. My head whipped around. “Wait.”