“I don’t need him to take me to my salon, August. It’s a waste of his time.”
“It’s him or Colton,” I say. “You choose.”
“If I take Colton, I could at least give him that haircut he needs.” She smiles at me.
“Nope, Andre it is.” Leaning down, I kiss her forehead. “I’ll see you later.”
“Bye.”
As I walk out the door, I think again about how domesticated this all is and how much I fucking like it.
Chapter Twenty-Five
I’ve been puttering around the salon for a few hours. I never really get the time to get in and give everything a really good once-over. I mean, the place is cleaned every day, but for the lastfew hours, I’ve reorganized all the cabinets. I’ve even managed to place an order for stock. It’s been really productive.
The ringing of my phone blasts from my pocket. Plucking it out, I see Jade’s name. “Hey, how’s my niece doing?” I ask her.
“Well, I’m fine too, you know. I swear all I am to you these days is the vessel growing your niece.” Jade laughs.
“Sorry. How’s my niece’s mama doing?”
“Good… Fat and hungry, always so damn hungry.” She sighs, and I hear the crunching of what more than likely are chips. “What are you up to?”
“I’m at the salon. Just straightening some things up before next week. Oh, August said to invite you and Riley over for Christmas lunch, at his place,” I tell her.
“Did he now? Why would he do that?”
“Because I told him I was going to your place. He wants us all at his,” I explain. “Also, he asked me to move in with him, with Riley.”
“And you said no, I hope.”
“I did, but he doesn’t really understand that word, Jade. He started talking about hiring movers and shit,” I huff.
“Hayley, are you doing okay?” Jade asks.
“I actually am. I’ve been away from him all morning, Jade. I’ve only checked his location four times,” I admit, feeling good about this progression.
“And how are you checking his location?” she presses.
“He put an air tag in his wallet and the tracking app on my phone. Told me I can know where he is all the time because he doesn’t have anything to hide from me.” I’ve never been with someone as honest as August. It’s refreshing and probably helping my anxiety and obsession levels a lot.
“So, he’s just as nuts as you are, then? Good to know. Are you moving in with him?”
“I want to. But it’s too soon. I know that.”
“Fuck it, Hayles. If that’s what you want, do it. But don’t get rid of your house just yet,” she tells me.
“I couldn’t ever get rid of my house,” I whisper. It belonged to my parents. Having it without any debt attached has been a godsend. We’ve never had to worry about having a roof over our heads.
“I gotta go pee. Again,” Jade groans. “I’ll call you back.”
“Love you.” As I pocket my phone, the bell on the door chimes. “I’ll be out in a sec, Andre. I’m almost done!” I call out. I do feel sorry that he’s had to wait outside the shop the entire time I’ve been in here.
When he doesn’t respond, I stop what I’m doing and listen. The sound of heavy footsteps falling on my hardwood floors is all I hear. And those steps are getting closer to the back room.
“Andre?” I yell as I open the storeroom door. And right as I do, I’m shoved back by a man in a black ski mask. I go to scream but his hand comes up to cover my mouth.
“Shut the fuck up and listen, bitch, or I will cut your fucking throat,” he hisses as he pushes me against the wall.
