AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Because I let him.
I expected it.
And I would have driven home disappointed had he not tried.
Exhausted from lack of sleep, and frankly, with myself, I choke down a handful of vitamins and supplements in the morning. Then I stare into the mirror at the bird’s nest that my chestnut-colored hair has become from rolling against the pillow. The copper highlights appear more like gathered straw rooting out from my scalp. I’d had my hair colored before Valentine’s Day and that was over six weeks ago.
I twist it up into a messy bun, toss on slouchy clothes, and confirm with my calendar that I’ll be seeing my stylist in the next few days. However, the universe likes to kick a girl while she’s down on herself. On my way out the door to open the shop, I get my period. I have to change my loose-fitting jeans to a higher-waisted pair that, while retaining water, makes me feel more bloated.
On the upside? All the blubbering I did over my hot-as-sin rebound guy at four am makes a helluva lot more sense. I can’t take the feelings I have for Jake seriously. The gushy girly ones, anyway.
Late for work, I’m fumbling with my keys, purse, and an icky, but healthy superfood shake when Greer pops out of Mind Your Own Beeswax next door.
“Oh, hey! I was bringing you some samples.” Greer holds up what resembles golden pixie sticks. They’re actually straws filled with honey.
“Make sure you have enough cards on the display, too.” I remind her, even though her business and mine share a common wall.
We enter the shop together. Having a similar setup, she flicks the lights on before slipping the samples into a cute miniature tin bucket that’s on the same table as her scented soaps. She pumps a tester of rose lotion, checking its fullness, and spreads the small white dot on her arm. “Do you like this one?” She smells it.
“It’s my favorite.” She’d given me a bottle in a bridal shower gift basket and I’ve worn the light creamy lotion or used the bath bar ever since. I’d have to buy out her stock if she discontinues it.
“Walk with you to yoga tonight?” She confirms while I’m firing up the register.
“Yep.” I can use all the namaste I can muster.
Greer and I are close in age, with me being a little older. A decade older than the “over twenty-one” I joked with Jake about when he asked my age. She and I got friendly after her store’s grand opening when I suggested having samples available at Paisley’s Boutique might drive some foot traffic Mind Your Own Beeswax’s way. When Greer delivered them, she had a lot of curiosity about my wedding. I’d invited her because she never attended one. I suppose her not knowing what to expect benefitted me. Greer is one of the few who sat in a pew on my side of the church, who didn’t respond to my escape by immediately asking for her gifts back.
“How about a rain check?” commands a solid baritone voice that sends shivers down my back and makes my achy boobs throb with temptation.
________________
11
________________
Paisley eyes me with suspicion. Weeks’ worth of experience becoming familiar with her tells, I set a decaf green tea and a brown bag from Baked Beans on the countertop.
Both women pause what they are doing. They disregard me, gaping lustily at the sack.
“He didn’t? It’s the chocolate croissant with cayenne. I can smell it from over here.” The one that isn’t mine gasps as if I’ve done something decadent.
I guess the bakery’s baked goods are as good as the mill girls say.
Also, say that three times fast.
The petite woman that is mine opens the bag. Her expression turns carnal, pulling out the delicacy. “He did. Want to split it?”
“No. I’m going to need my own now. And definitely yoga tonight, and tomorrow.” She sighs and offers an introduction. “I’m Greer. I’m over there.” She points. “My store is, anyway.”
“Jake,” I reply.
She nods. “I’m gonna go… back…” Greer darts out of the boutique.
A master at reading people, I don’t get the impression that I make her nervous. It’s more adapting to social norms and the world in general.
Paisley scowls over her croissant. “I told you—”
I motion for her to stop. “I heard.”
