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He was distracting me.
In a second, the years I’ve clung to my hair like a safety net evaporate. I feel the weight slip from the back of my head, and oddly, I don’t think the heaviness lifted from my shoulders is from the hair.
Natalie holds up the mane of hair, still swinging from an elastic. “All done. I’m going to style what you’ve got left, and you can be on your way.”
I don’t let go of Jake’s hand, even as Natalie finishes, and Hannah runs to hug me when hers is done.
“You look so pretty, Hannah.”
She blushes and sways. “I like it.”
I’m glad.
Natalie pats my shoulders. “You’re done. I ran the curling iron through the ends. Want to see it?”
Nope.
“Sure.”
I risk looking at Jake for his reaction. If it’s hideous, I’ll see it in his eyes. But he’s staring at me like I’ve grown another face.
“What? Is it horrible?”
I almost don’t want to know the answer.
“You really are beautiful under there, huh?”
My heart stops and swells in my chest all at once.
“So beautiful, Claire.”
“Thanks.” It’s all I can say because, with a simple look, he has stolen my vocabulary.
“Now do me a favor?”
“What?” I ask skeptically.
“Smile for me. You look like you’re trying to figure out the most complicated maths equation.”
I don’t want to just because he teased me about it, but I do.
“Ah, there she is. Always smile. Your smile makes everything better.”
Chapter Twenty-Five
“Jay-Jay, Grandma is here,” Jake bellows from down the hall.
“He’ll be right there,” I answer.
“Can we play for grandma?” Dark lashes flutter over those big blue eyes, and I melt. His cheeks are still red from the party, and when the adrenaline wears off, this kid is going to crash.
Honestly, I may fall asleep at the auction tonight.
“Sure.”
He runs from the chair and returns seconds later, pulling Rose by the hand. Jake is close behind.
I taught him the duet I used to play on the piano when me and Amy were kids. We practiced for hours last night, and he demanded we do it again before he leaves.
