ONE
Kendall
I’m not usually this distracted, but the man sitting in the back corner of the bar keeps sneaking glances at me. He’s with a group of guys, all of them in suits. I can’t help looking back and forth between my friends and his magnetic eyes, searching mine. I try to stay in the conversation at our table, but it’s futile with his broad shoulders filling out his suit and his short beard distracting me.
“We have the best seat in the house tonight,” says Faith, as she bangs on the table, just enough to tear my attention away from the man in the corner, snapping me back into their conversation.
“It is. Are we doing a round of shots?” I ask.
In unison, they all cheer, “Yeah.”
We start every girls’ night with tequila shots, and tonight is no different. We switched our night out to Friday since the restaurant, Buena Vista, began hosting a DJ and dancing on the first Friday of every month. From our high-top table, we wave down our waitress. She has been here since the restaurant opened, and we love her—and we tip well.
“Your usual, ladies?”
Addison answers, “Yes, thank you.”
I love hanging out with my best friends—Faith, Addison, and Lane. We’ve been friends since college, and then moved in together here in Faith’s hometown of Saxville. After a couple of years, one by one, we all bought our own homes. We still talk frequently, but these face-to-face moments allow us to catch up on the details that aren’t always easy to share in a text.
I’m half listening to the conversation when my eyes meet his again. It’s hard to rip them away. He has a face I could never forget. Carmel eyes, with dark lashes and eyebrows. His features are prominent, with a chiseled jawline, a beard that’s short and professionally shaped—one that I could run my fingers along. He’s dressed in a tailored suit. I can tell by the breadth of his shoulders that it’s not a pick-it-off-the-rack kind of suit.
Pulling myself back into the conversation, I attempt to catch up, listening to Faith talk about something going on at her office. My work life is like Faith’s, who is a therapist. As a stylist and salon owner, I don’t have the degrees and licenses to counsel people, but once they are in my salon chair, the floodgates open, and they share all their secrets with me.
As for a personal life, there’s really no time for a significant other while I’m building my empire. Men can be soul-sucking. After what happened with Jake, my ex, a couple of years ago, I have no interest in starting something new. He was manipulative, and it took far too long to realize he was controlling and struggling with mental health issues. But I was too blinded by love to see the red flags. Now, I look back and shake my head for not leaving him sooner. I’m in no hurry to rush into a man’s arms after all that. Well, except maybe this broadly built guy in the corner. I could be in his arms for a night and have no regrets. If he’s as good in bed as he looks, then I’d consider it.
“Kendall, how’s Saxy and all the plans for the spa expansion?” Faith asked.
“It’s doing well. We finally have some great stylists who are fully booked for at least six weeks. The spa expansion is coming along. We should be ready for the grand opening in the next few weeks, once all the necessary permits have been signed off. Then all that’s left is hiring some more people. We have massage therapists lined up and are ready to book clients once we set a date.”
I’m ecstatic about the spa opening. I’ve been dreaming about this day for three years. The spa complements my upscale salon. The new sign will go up over the next few weeks—Saxy Salon & Spa.
“Well, we’ll be the first to see the new, finished space and schedule appointments,” Lane says.
“You will be VIP guests,” I assure them. They are my ride or die. I wouldn’t have it any other way.
“Glad we’re your VIPs,” Addison says as she flings her hair dramatically.
The prickling at the back of my neck tells me the man across the bar is still staring at me, and I can’t help but be hyperaware of his presence.
“Completely off topic…don’t look. Don’t move a muscle. There’s a guy over in the corner who keeps glancing over at me.” I don’t move my head, but move my eyes. “Not all at once, but if you want to take a peek, he’s the one in the corner booth closest to the bathroom hall.”
Of course, they don’t listen; they whip their heads around all at once. I’m pretty sure they gave themselves whiplash.
“Wow! He’s big! And very stylish. Right up your alley,” Faith says, with her mouth wide open.
“Uh-huh. How old do you think he is?” I ask as I fan myself. The way he’s looking at me is going to leave a wet spot on thisseat. The heat radiating from my core is uncomfortable. I haven’t had a man look at me like he wanted to ravage me in a very long time.
Ugh, not since Jake. Not my finest life decision. He was a huge mistake.
“Early thirties…” Addison says as she raises her eyebrows. “You good?”
“Yeah, I think I’ll go to the bathroom.”
Sliding gingerly off my stool, I head straight for the group of guys in the corner, needing to walk right by them to get to the restroom.
Throwing my fiery red hair over my shoulders, I walk with my head high through the bar area. My sandals click on the dark tile flooring as I strut between the crowded tables. It’s a hot summer day, and my olive skin is a deep bronze from all the sun I’ve had so far this season. I’m wearing a cute sundress that accentuates my booty and fabulous boobs. It’s a white boho floral lace style that dips down and has ties in the front and an open back. The dress slightly puffs out for added dimension. In short, it works for me.
One foot in front of the other, I sway past his table, slowing ever so slightly, and catch a glimpse of him as I turn the corner to the bathroom. His eyes were tracking me from the moment I stood until I rounded the corner. I’m on fire, as the mirror reflects my pink-tinted cheeks, and I wonder what it is about this guy that’s making my body temperature rise. I could use a cold shower. Every nerve ending is firing on my skin, and my nipples are tight, which you can clearly see through this white dress.
