Total pages in book: 72
Estimated words: 67665 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 338(@200wpm)___ 271(@250wpm)___ 226(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 67665 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 338(@200wpm)___ 271(@250wpm)___ 226(@300wpm)
When I got back to the hotel, my phone rang, and Dillon’s name flashed across the screen. “Hello?” I answered.
“Hey,” Dillon said.
“Did you want to grab a bite?”
“No, Macy brought home takeout,” he said. “Listen, she’s getting pretty close with that hairdresser who rented the cabin you’re buying.”
“Oh.” I sat down. Was this going to be one of those “my wife wanted me to call you” conversations? I’d had my share of those back when I had been married. I was still married, I corrected myself, just not actively.
“Yeah,” Dillon continued, clearly under duress. “Macy was wondering if you might reconsider the purchase.”
I laughed. I could picture Dillon sitting in his own cabin, his wife watching him make the call. My heart went out to him, as a dude, but I wasn’t going to capitulate.
“I offered her the opportunity to stay,” I said. “She turned me down.”
“Well, maybe you can try again?” Dillon suggested. “The girl’s all broken up.”
“Alright,” I agreed. “I’ll try again.”
“Thanks, man!” Dillon brightened considerably. I could see him already checking that off the long list of requirements for marital sex.
“Glad to help,” I said and hung up.
The next day, I found Lindsey at work. She was busy with a client and didn’t see me come in. I was treated to a full view of her figure, tucked away inside modest, professional clothes. Ava, the other hairdresser, was clad in blue jeans and a shimmery top, but Lindsey, she had put thought into her wardrobe. She was wearing slacks and a blouse, the apron that hugged her hips the only nod to her profession. Without that, she might look like a teacher or a businesswoman.
Lindsey looked up to see who had walked through the door. She flinched, and I wondered if I would be treated to another lecture. How dare I attempt to purchase property in a beautiful, remote location? I must be some kind of monster. Then her jaw muscles relaxed, and she flashed a shy smile.
She leaned forward over her client’s shoulder and said, “Will you excuse me for a moment?” Walking over, she placed the scissors in her pocket and looked up at me.
“Hi,” I said.
“Hi.”
“How are you?”
She shrugged.
“Um…” This seemed to be going better than I had thought it would. I took a chance. “Would you like to have lunch?”
She smiled. “Sure.”
I was shocked. Not only had she agreed to spend time with me, but she had actually smiled. What had happened to my irate little fireball who’d tossed beer in my face?
“Should I come back?” I asked.
“No, if you just want to have a seat, I’ll be done in a few minutes,” she said.
I nodded, wandering back to the waiting area. There was a selection of ladies’ magazines to flip through. I picked one up and browsed through the pictures of celebrities in gowns. Crazy. These women spent so much time doing their hair, applying makeup, and choosing the right shoes, it was a wonder they had any time left over to take photographs.
“See anything you like?” Lindsey said, standing over me.
I looked up to see her client waving goodbye before sweeping out the door. Lindsey had gathered her purse and removed her apron. Suddenly, she looked a few tax brackets beyond my reach. I showed her one of the photos.
“Do you think you could make my hair look like this?” The woman in the picture had a flowing mane of strawberry hair.
Lindsey laughed. “I could, but I don’t think it would suit you.”
I put the magazine down and stood up. “Well, that’s disappointing to hear.”
We walked over to the diner and found a booth. She slid in, and I watched the curve of her ass press into the cushioned seat. I sat down opposite before my eyes could cause my groin to stir.
“Has something changed?” I asked her.
“No.” She picked up the menu. “Has something changed with you?”
“No.”
She put the menu down in disappointment. “I thought you asked me here to reconsider.”
I shook my head.
“Did Dillon talk to you?”
“He did,” I responded.
“And…?”
“And the offer of renting a bedroom still stands,” I answered.
The waitress came over to take our drink order.
“I’ll have a coffee, black,” I said.
“I’ll have an iced tea,” she said. I half expected her to stand up and read me the riot act, but she sat calmly and chanced a look into my eyes. “I thought about it.”
I nodded when she paused, encouraging her to go on.
“I really don’t have a lot of options.”
“I’m sorry to hear that,” I said honestly.
“My old apartment isn’t available anymore, and I can’t afford a two bedroom,” she said. “Ava offered to let me come live with her, but she has a studio.”
“So, that’s out,” I agreed.
“I have to be out by tomorrow, and I just don’t have anywhere else to go.” She sighed.