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With that decision I throw on a blazer and some strappy sandals and head down to the dining room. I’m starving and I’ve burned a whole lot of energy this morning. I spot Jess helping Alex cut something on his plate and as I head towards them her head comes up and she smiles directly at me.
There’s this moment where everything seems to slow right down and focus in on that beautiful smile and I feel my heart do a backflip in my chest.
Fuck. Maybe Ashley Carmichael does do feelings after all.
Twenty
Jess
Breakfast has never been much of a big deal for me. Most days, I forget to even have it and if I do, its not much.
Sitting on the warm deck with some of the most delicious food I’ve ever seen makes me change my mind about the most important meal of the day. Alex and I have stuffed ourselves with pastries, waffles and pancakes. Now I can actually see why people would linger over breakfast.
I’m still wicked nervous around Ashley. Part of me wants to throw myself into her arms. Another part of me wants to run like hell. I don’t know what I’m doing. All I know is, I’m going to get hurt.
Alex looks up at Ashley and takes her hand shyly as we get up from the table. My heart twists. Its one thing for me to hope too much and get myself bruised. Its really not fair to let Alex get hurt, too.
“Hey, kiddo. You want to go check out the cinema?” Ashley grins at Alex.
“A cinema! Like, movies?” His little face lights up.
“Yeah man. Movies. Big seats. Popcorn. The whole shebang.”
He looks up at me eagerly.
“Can I go, Auntie Jess?”
I struggle, but only for a second. I can’t deny that cute little face.
“Okay kiddo. You go have fun with Ashley.”
I suppose I could go with them, but I’m worried about how I’m going to react to Ashley. Huddled up. In the dark.
No way. I have to get a hold of myself.
“Why don’t you take off and relax, Jess? I’ll take care of the little monster.”
For a few seconds, a sense of warmth and familiarity seeps into me. We’re standing in the bright sun, looking at each other as if we’ve always known each other.
As if we belong together.
I’m going to get myself hurt if I keep thinking like this. Alex is going to get hurt. What happens when Ashley disappears back to her fancy lifestyle?
The moment passes and Ashley grins at me as they wave and head off down the deck. With a weary sigh I decide to go and see Natalie and hopefully, sort out the tangle of my thoughts.
When I get to the salon its fairly quiet and I’m not sure if its because its early morning or if people just don’t visit here much. When Natalie sees me, she waves with an eager smile and gestures for me to come over.
She makes a big show of getting me comfortably settled in the chair and putting drinks and candy nearby. I shake my head with a little laugh.
“You don’t have to go to all that trouble for me.”
She sits down by my side and takes my
hand, starting to clean around my cuticles with a pointed pick.
“Don’t be ridiculous.” She scoffs. “I’ll always go to trouble for you. Not everyone gets candy.” She grins mischievously.
The feeling of her working on my hand is rhythmic and comforting. Her hands are cool and quick, the small deft movements showing how skilled she is at her work.
