Total pages in book: 94
Estimated words: 89224 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 446(@200wpm)___ 357(@250wpm)___ 297(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 89224 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 446(@200wpm)___ 357(@250wpm)___ 297(@300wpm)
“He’s going to ask you and Tucker if you can keep Winter for a couple of hours tomorrow evening, so we can go out to dinner. I told him that we could talk after that.”
“Do you like him?” Willow asks.
“Of course, but this isn’t just about me liking him. There are so many other things to take into account, especially with our connection.”
“I get that,” she says quietly, and I’m relieved that someone does. “Well—” She holds up her glass. “—here’s to seeing where things go.”
Miranda and I lift our glasses, and the three of us clink them together. After taking a sip of wine, I change the subject and ask them about their trip. Before long, Winter and Kingston come to get me to play tag, and everyone ends up joining in, including the guys, who are much quicker on their feet than the rest of us.
CHAPTER 16
emma
Standing behind the counter at the front desk, with my hand on Sammy’s shoulder, the two of us scan through my calendar for the month and try to find a spot for a long-time client of mine who wants a cut and color. Over the last year, I have been doing more and more hair extensions, which has been great for me and my career, since I make a lot more money and have built up quite a clientele list.
The downside is, extensions are time-consuming, so at most, I can have two maybe three clients a day, depending on what they’re looking for. So all my regular clients have been feeling the pinch when I try to fit them into my schedule for a cut or a color, and I’ve felt guilty for not being available when they need me.
“Maybe you should ask Mrs. Clark if she wouldn’t mind scheduling with Miranda?” Sammy says when the calendar slides to the next month that is already completely booked with almost all extension appointments.
“That’s a good idea. What does her schedule look like?” I ask, and she pulls it up. Scanning over it quickly, I realize her calendar is just about as booked as mine is.
“She has next Tuesday from eleven to three open.” Sammy points at one of the few empty time slots.
“Let me talk to Carol, and then I’ll ask Miranda when she gets back from lunch if she’s saving that space for something else.”
“Sounds good,” Sammy says, her attention going to the phone when it begins to ring.
Walking to my station, I take out my cell and send Carol a text, asking if she is okay with Miranda doing her hair, and a moment later, she messages back that she’s all right with the change. I message her back, letting her know ether Miranda or I will be in touch to get her on the schedule, and as I’m pressing Send, the bell on the door dings, and I look over my shoulder.
When I see Miles and Winter step inside, my heart immediately feels too big for my chest.
Him wearing jeans with a long-sleeved, plaid button-down shirt in a mixture of oranges, browns, and black that looks good on him. Her in a cute sweater dress with boots and tights, with her hair pulled back from her face with a headband. Last night, we left Clay’s apartment around ten, because I had to get up early for work, and Winter had to get to bed. Instead of me stopping off at their place to say goodnight to the two of them, they walked me out to my car. Which was good since I didn’t have to risk Miles kissing me again. It also sucked because I wouldn’t have minded him kissing me again.
“What are you two doing here?” I ask Winter as she runs across the salon to me with a happy smile on her face.
“Daddy brought me to see if you could give me a haircut.”
“Did he?” I look up at Miles when he gets close.
“I did.” He takes advantage of the lack of distance between us and grabs my hip while bending to kiss me on the edge of my mouth, just like he did a few days ago. “If you don’t have time, I’ll find somewhere else to take her, but she wanted to see you, so I figured we’d stop by anyway,” he says softly, leaning back to catch my eye. I’m sure how much he affects me is written all over my face.
“You have perfect timing. I’m on lunch right now between clients.”
“Yay!” Winter jumps, making me shake, and I smile down at her.
“Did you eat?” Miles asks, and I look at him while I hold my hand out to Winter.
“I had a shake.”
“A shake? That’s not actual food, Em.”
“I’m fine.” I lift Winter onto the foam block I placed on the shampoo chair to give her some height.