“I guess not.”
“Does her family think it’s weird that you two hang out?”
I snorted. Not one to mince words, that Bee. “She doesn’t have much family. Her son isn’t in the picture unless he needs something.” I refrained from sharing that he’d already taken every penny from her, so he wouldn’t be back to visit any time soon.
“That’s nice you still visit with her. I had her too. She was great. I should visit her too.” She drummed her hand on her knee and then added, “Do you like working for Benny Jr.?”
“Does anybody like their job? Besides you,” I added when I felt her getting ready to counter.
“Probably some people. I just mean, is this the job you envisioned for yourself?”
“I’m not really good at anything else.”
“Other than what?”
“Being big and intimidating,” I said, staying focused on the task.
“That’s incredible that you’ve tried everything else in the world, to know that is the only thing you’re good at.” Her voice was heavy with sarcasm.
“Don’t be snarky to the person holding the scissors.”
“I’m serious. You don’t know what you’re good at yet,” she said.
“I don’t have a degree or anything. After I lost my football scholarship, college wasn’t an option.”
She waited a beat, and I thought she would ask about football again. Instead, she said, “You can go back to school. Or get certifications.”
“It’s not that easy.” My voice came out too sharp. This conversation made me uncomfortable. I focused instead on the hair.
My back began to twinge at the bend I needed to reach her head. Dropping to my knees, I knelt in front of her, grabbing the pieces framing her face and bringing them forward.
Her mouth was pursed in a softOshape as her wide eyes flicked between mine. Her cheeks still rosy from the rapid changes in temperature.
“It wouldn’t be easy. But neither is doing a job that you hate that goes against your own personal code of ethics,” she said softly.
I frowned, wondering how I’d given so much away. Maybe because Bee seemed to go so unnoticed by the rest of town, she was able to observe others easily.
“I never said?—”
“I can just tell you hate it.” She lifted a hand to my cheek, causing my heart to hammer hard. I was exposed and anxious under her stare. She bit her lip as she brushed her thumb over my cheek. “You’re so thoughtful and gentle, Owen. You got me here safe. Thank you.”
I swallowed and gave a nod of acknowledgment. It didn’t feel like I had done it all alone. Despite our start, it had felt like we were quickly becoming a team. I balanced on my knees in front of her and felt myself coming undone. In such a short time, all my lines were becoming blurred.
“Maybe that’s your calling,” she said after the silence went too long for her liking.
“Uh, I’d wait until I finished your hair before you said that.” I tried her joking tactic.
“I meant working at the retirement village. You’d be great there,” she said, not being distracted.
I was ready to argue against and get defensive like I always did when I felt insecure, but I couldn’t help myself. The way she held my face in her small hands made my defenses wobble.
“Why do you think that?” I asked.
“You already know you enjoy being around older folks. And clearly, they like you, or they wouldn’t keep letting you hang out there. Sure, you’re also big and strong, which would come in handy. But you’re also ridiculously patient.” She huffed a laugh. “Look at how you’ve put up with me all night.” A frown flashed over her features before she quickly brushed it away. It hadn’tfelt like I was putting up with her, it had felt like I was falling into her. A blush burned up the back of my neck at her praise.
“All of that could make you really great at working there,” she went on. “You could get a nursing degree or a certification or maybe even a master’s eventually in physical therapy if you really wanted. I could totally see it.”
“People cross the street to avoid me,” I said, too close to admitting how that fact hurt me.
