AllFreeNovel
Share Us
After half an hour, the bells on the door jingle, announcing Lizzie and Katy’s arrival to work, and we idly chat while they set up their stations. Our first appointment isn’t for another twenty minutes, so the jangling of the bells draws all of our attention to the door as it opens.
To my surprise, our visitor is a quietly handsome man dressed in a light blue t-shirt, a familiarly delicious pair of black basketball shorts, and the haircut I gave him the other day.
Ben stands for a moment and looks around, taking in the cool nearly empty salon, as my coworkers make no attempt to hide their open-mouthed gawking as they look between him and each other and back to me.
I give them an incredulous shrug, as Luna lights up from her spot in the corner when Ben gives her a friendly smile, then he waves to Lizzie and Katy who can’t contain their squeals as he makes his way over to me, looking adorably nervous.
“Hey,” he says on a breath when he stops just a couple feet in front of me.
“Hey,” I look up at him. “I thought maybe you’d left.”
“No, and I wanted to let you know I’m sorry for the other day. There are some… things in my life that I haven’t dealt with, and I didn’t think I’d react to seeing myself that way. It brought back some memories I wasn’t expecting, and I dealt with it in a shitty way. That was rude, and I’m sorry.”
My mind briefly looks back on the incredibly small file of information I have about him and his past. His wife passing had to have been an extraordinary experience for him to flee the country, let his medical license lapse, and put up such thick, solid walls.
“It’s okay,” I nod up at him, “but thanks for telling me. I was worried I’d screwed up your hair,” I give a self-deprecating chuckle.
“No,” he shakes his head and takes a step closer. “You did amazing. You’re very talented and I love what you did,” he runs a hand through his now short hair to stress his point. And I enjoyed talking to you too,” he finishes with a timid smile that makes my heart bang out a few hard beats.
“Thanks,” I manage, and I can feel how pink my cheeks are.
“Look, I know I’m not the most social being on the planet, but I think I know how I can make it up to you and Luna. I noticed she’s here with you again today,” he tilts his head in her direction.
“Okay,” I reply tentatively. “How’s that?”
“I dropped by the school her basketball camp is at - it was printed on her jersey the other day,” he hurries to explain when I open my mouth to ask how he knew where it was. “Anyway, they ran a background check and don’t seem to care that I haven’t played since high school, so I’m in to take over coaching Luna’s group while her coach recovers.”
“Oh my God,” I choke out, feeling a cocktail of emotions swirl and churn inside me. “I don’t know what to say! I mean, why would you do this?”
“Why not?” he returns.
“Because you’ve already done so much for us…” I shake my head, not knowing what to do with this amazing gesture.
“Look,” he sighs, leveling me with a look in his eyes that speaks of slight discomfort, but with profound kindness underneath. “I don’t have anywhere to be or anything pressing I have to do. I’ve got the time, and Luna and her friends shouldn’t have to be stuck at home or at work with their parents when they were counting on being able to play basketball.”
“Are you sure? I mean, you just got done telling me you’re a loner that doesn’t really like social situations,” I crease my brow, still trying to make sure this is really happening.
“Kids are different,” he murmurs with a half-shrug, and I realize he has a point. While they’re part of the human race, kids definitely aren’t the same as grown people. “Just let me do this, Kase. Please.”
I’m not sure if he meant to shorten my name like that, but a thrill zings through me that he did. It’s like we’re past the acquaintance stage. Even though I know he’s only around for a little while and will eventually go back to his life on the other side of the world, I feel something for him, and I like the idea of him feeling something, too. Even if that’s all it could be, and only for a short time, it feels good.
So I put on a bright smile and let out a cleansing breath.
“Okay! I just have to figure out a way to get her there before my first appointment and-”
“I’ll take her,” he cuts in, “if you’re okay with that of course.”
You saved her from drowning; I don’t think I’ve got a problem with her being in a car with you.
“This is wonderful,” I shake my head. “Thank you.”
And before I know what I’m doing, I’m stepping into him and throwing my arms around his waist without asking this time. I hope I’m not making him uncomfortable, but he’s less of a stranger than he was before, and this is one of the ways I show people I appreciate them; by giving hugs. To my surprise, he doesn’t jump away. While he stiffens for a split second, he immediately relaxes and puts his arms around my shoulders and even gives me a sweet little squeeze.
I take mercy on him and don’t let it linger too long before pulling away. He turns towards Luna.
“Luna!” he calls across the room to her and her head snaps up from her coloring. “Want to go to basketball camp?”
Her little eyebrows shoot up.
