Total pages in book: 48
Estimated words: 45573 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 228(@200wpm)___ 182(@250wpm)___ 152(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 45573 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 228(@200wpm)___ 182(@250wpm)___ 152(@300wpm)
“I’m sorry if he upset you.”
I find Davis looking at me in the mirror. There’s no doubt he’s caught me looking outside where Jason is sitting by himself. I pause for just a second, but I shrug my shoulders and continue trimming his hair. “It’s okay. He didn’t really do anything.”
“He’s having a hard time with things.” I open my mouth, but he holds his hand up to stop me. “I know that doesn’t excuse him for being a jerk, but I just don’t want you to take it personal, that’s all.”
I swallow and nod, looking outside again. Jason has his head turned to the side, and his eyes are closed. He’s deep in thought about something, and I can’t help but wonder if he’s thinking about me at all. I shouldn’t ask, but I can’t stop myself. “Is he okay?”
Davis’ eyebrows lift. “What do you mean, okay?”
Abby has found her way back to us and is leaning against the wall listening. She nods at me, and I clear my throat. “I mean, I know he’s not okay, but I mean, I dunno, he seems really sad, that’s all.”
Davis looks outside at his friend, and his face is grim before a small smile forms. “Jason is something else. He has trouble going out, especially to new places. He’s probably the most independent person I know, and he has trouble having to depend on people, even his brothers, but we sort of just make him let us do stuff. I don’t know, he’s a great guy. I know you might not believe me, but he is. But he’ll probably never let you see it. Since…. since the accident, he hasn’t been himself.”
I swallow. It all seems so heavy, and even though I literally met the man not even an hour ago, my heart aches for him. Jason might as well have said the same thing earlier when he couldn’t tell me what his hobbies were. I can’t even begin to imagine everything he’s been through.
I’m putting the finishing touches on Davis’ haircut when Abby brings me out of the trance I’m in. “What about Rick? You still seeing him?”
I look outside at Jason again and then back to Abby. “Yeah, I’ve been out with him one time, but we have plans to go on another date.”
She “oooohs,” and I roll my eyes at her. “It was one date. It’s not a big deal.”
She nods real big. “I know… but you agreed to a second date, and that is a big deal.”
I just nod grimly at her. Abby knows me well, and she’s telling the truth. I don’t usually go out with the same guy more than once. I never want to let things get serious. I’ve been there, done that, and it was not all it’s cracked up to be. Especially after I caught my husband of three years with another woman. Nope, I’ve gotten used to the single life, and it serves me just fine. “Trust me, it’s not a big deal. You know I’m not interested in settling down.”
She just laughs. “Famous last words.”
I move the chair a little and point to the mirror. “Okay, sorry it took so long, but you had a lot more hair than Jason. What do you think? I can go shorter if you want me to.”
Abby squeals as Davis pulls her to his side. “She likes it. It’s perfect. Thanks, Olivia. For fitting Jason and me both in today.”
I nod, and Davis reaches into his pocket to pay but I hold my hand up to stop him. “No, Jason paid enough for his haircut, your haircut, and a big hefty tip.”
Davis nods his head.
“When’s your next appointment?”
I look at Abby and see the curiosity there. I look at my watch and then back to my friend. “I have about forty-five minutes.”
She reaches for me. “Go to dinner with us. We’re going to Red’s.”
Before she even gets it all out, I’m shaking my head. There’s no way I can sit next to Jason right now. He makes me think things I shouldn’t be thinking about. “I’d better not. She’s usually early, and I need to clean up anyway.”
“Walk us out then?” she asks.
I reluctantly nod my head. Not one time has Abby ever asked me to walk her out, but I’m not going to deny her. The truth is I do want to talk to Jason again, even if he’s probably going to be rude to me. Fuck, I’m a glutton for punishment.
“Okay, yeah, sure.”
Abby and I head out with Davis trailing behind us. He reaches around Abby to open the door, and when we walk out, it’s obvious when Jason realizes it’s his friends. “Hey, Jason, sorry it took so long.”
“No, it’s fine. I need to talk to Olivia,” he says, pushing to his feet.