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Mabel beams at Jonah as he passes her an iced coffee and drops a kiss onto her lips. Her purple hair is twisted up into two buns on top of her head, and she looks adorable.
Sometimes I wish I could have what they have.
With Hunter.
I clear my throat, trying to push that thought out of my head as I grab the cape and throw it over Hunter.
Remember mom. We can’t turn out like her.
“Are we shaving it off today?” I ask him. “You wouldn’t have to come in for a trim every day then.”
“No, just a trim and style.”
I roll my eyes, grabbing the pomade and a comb.
I try not to think about how good it feels as I work my fingers through his soft locks. An image of my mom doing the same thing to one of my stepfathers and my gut clenches.
My mom was always boy-crazy. She’s been married six times and had countless boyfriends over the years. It should have been her and me when I was living with her, but instead, it was always her and whatever man she was with at the time. I was always an outsider, always an afterthought.
I promised myself that I would never be like her. I’ve been taking care of myself since before I could remember, and I don’t need a man to do it now. I can take care of myself.
Still, it might be nice to have someone else do it for once.
“What are you thinking about?” Hunter asks quietly, and I blink.
“Finding a man,” I sass him, and his gaze darkens.
“You don’t need to worry about that, Grier. You’ve already found your man.”
I roll my eyes. The truth is that I’ve never really noticed the opposite sex before. I was too busy looking out for myself to pay them much attention. Until Hunter, that is.
It’s hard to ignore him with all his big muscles and those piercing blue eyes. It’s also hard because he’s always there, putting himself in front of me every time I turn around.
“Like that?” Anise asks, and I glance over to see her finishing up with Whit.
“It looks great. Thanks, Anise,” he says, and I smile as I study them.
Whit is so calm and gentle. He’s perfect for Anise, and I wish she would let her guard down and give him a chance.
I’d never tell her that, though, because then it would open the door for her to comment on Hunter and me.
“Are you really looking for a man?” Mabel asks as she picks up her iced coffee and takes a sip.
“Sure,” I answer her, and Hunter tenses in his seat.
“You should try this online dating site! My friend was telling me about it,” she tells me, and I pretend to be interested.
“Oh, that’s a good idea,” I lie, and I see Anise give me a look. “It would be a great way to meet some new guys.”
Hunter reaches out, grabbing my wrist, and he shoots me a warning look. I start to feel guilty for egging him on. I don’t really want to sign up for a dating profile, and I don’t want to meet other men. I just knew that it would drive him crazy.
Maybe I should let off on messing with him. He’s never done anything to me but tempt me, and it’s my own fault that I’m wrestling with all of my issues.
“You’re all set,” I tell Hunter, and he clenches his teeth, making a nerve pop in his jaw.
He heads up to the front counter, and I take his cash, forcing a smile as I shove the tip in my pocket. He’s staring at me, but I can’t find it in myself to meet his eyes. I need to stop whatever this is between us.
“I’m going to head out,” I tell Anise and Mabel as I head back to my station and clean up.
