“Yeah, yeah, good idea.” I reluctantly let her go, feeling the loss of her warmth.
Then, she slips her hand into mine and leads me to the backyard. Being connected to her, it’s perfect—it’s right. I want to be touching her, close to her. So I sit with her on the lounger. “Do you already know your dad stopped by the salon today?”
“Yeah, he showed up at my house. We just finished having a two-hour conversation.”
“Oh, is that good?”
“It’s great, sweetheart. He filled me in. Desperate man, desperate measures. Honestly, I couldn't believe he went to see you again.”
“So you really didn’t know?” she asks, searching me.
“Not a fucking clue.”
“I didn’t realize your mom cheated on your dad.” She moves forward to touch my face. “I’m putting the pieces together.”
I massage my temples and let out a sigh. “He’s still hurting from it all, and it’s been years.”
“I could see it in his eyes. It’s heartbreaking.” She rests her hand on my leg. “Looking back on this week, a part of me wants to thank your dad for trying to pay me to stay away from you.”
Jolting back. “What?”
She pulls me to her. “Dane, it made me take a step back and think about myself, us. We were moving at the rate of a freight train.” I laugh. She isn’t wrong. “I know without a shadow of a doubt, I haven’t lost myself in you. I’m still me. My ambitions are larger than life…and so aren’t yours. Our hearts are tethered. Our connection is undeniable. Our work/life balance—we’re working on it…We’re perfect for each other.”
“We’re soulmates.” I cup her face and rub her cheekbones. Her eyes flutter.
She’s gorgeous.
“I think we can make anything work after all of this.”
“Me too, sweetheart.”
FORTY-THREE
Kendall
Since I couldn’t clear my entire Saturday schedule, I quickly finish my last client of the day. She loves it, steps out of my chair, and whispers, “You didn’t mention he was eye candy.” Dane leans against the reception desk, waiting for me to finish my workday. I wasn’t working today, but I had a couple of clients who couldn’t reschedule, so I came in for them.
“Nancy, stop it!” I shake my head at my older client, who likes to tease me about my love life. She’s happily married and tells me all the ways her husband spoils her.
“Have a wonderful date, Kendall.” She swings her hair and walks over to Sally. Dane pushes himself off the desk and strolls over to me.
Nancy and Sally start whispering, and I glance at Dane, who's halfway to me. I blow him a quick kiss.
He strolls over in a few strides; he's close, and my body heats up. The closer he is to me, the more my body fires up. His scent of coconuts and palm trees—I love it, I love him, and heat pools in my center while butterflies flutter in my belly.
“Can you escape without cleaning up today?”
“I can ask Sally to clean up and close for me.” I give him a smirk.
“I have a full night planned, sweetheart.” He encircles my waist, tugging me to him, and kissing me under my ear. A shiver runs down my spine; my entire body quakes.
Interrupted by Sally, who was obviously eavesdropping on our conversation. “You kids head out. I’ll close up.”
I dramatically wave to Sally and say, “Thank you! I’ll see you on Tuesday.”
“I like her,” he whispers in my ear.
“Yeah, you do because she’s giving you what you want.”
