Meredith came in a few minutes later, her smile adding some warmth to break through the tension between Chaz and me. The smile slid off her face when she read the situation. “What’s going on?” she asked.
“Nothing,” Chaz and I replied at the same time.
“As if that doesn’t give you both away.” She put her hands on her hips, shook her head in disgust, and said, “Spill it.” Chaz and I just stared at each other without saying a word. “Whatever it is, we need to clear the air before everyone else gets here.”
I swallowed my pride and said, “I was too pushy.”
“I was too sensitive,” Chaz said at the same time.
We burst into laughter, which erased the tension between us. “I am very sorry. I honestly thought I was doing something helpful, but looking back I can see that I should’ve just kept my mouth shut.” I walked over and hugged him tightly.
Chaz returned my squeeze then stepped back to look at me. “Maybe you should’ve, but I probably overreacted to your matchmaking attempts. I’m flattered that you think I would stand a chance with a man like Kyle. I know that you only had my best interests at heart and I was out of line when I said that your own happiness blinds you. It was mean, and it wasn’t true.”
“I’m so happy we had this Dr. Phil moment,” Meredith said. She looked at Chaz then and asked, “How’d you find out? Did he confess out of guilt? Just so you know, I was giving him until Saturday to fess up to what he did before I tipped you off.”
“Dr. Dimples called him,” I told Meredith.
“Did he tell you while you were up all night chatting while playing games?” she asked Chaz.
“Guys, I don’t know who he’s met online, but it’s not me, which just makes me more certain that him coming to dinner on Sunday is a mistake. Look, I’ll admit that there’s a definite spark ofsomethingthere between us, but how real can it be when he’s obviously interested in someone else? My heart can’t take being a temporary fill-in while he waits for his perfect guy to show up. Look at him and look at me,” Chaz said.
My mind went into hyperdrive as soon as I heard Chaz refer to thesomethingthey shared. It was just like the beginning for Gabe and me and it solidified my belief that these two guys were meant to be. I just needed to find less annoying ways to try to work some magic.
“I am looking right at Charles Bailey Hamilton, and you’re beautiful,” Meredith said. “I fail to understand what you’re talking about.”
“It’s not about me having low self-esteem in regards to my looks,” Chaz said. “This is about compatibility. What could a highly-educated veterinarian possibly have in common with a receptionist in a salon?”
“THE salon,” I said jokingly. “Chaz, it’s so much easier to find all the reasons why something won’t work than it is to try to find the reasons it will. When the hell has easy equaled right?” I released a soft sigh and reached for his hands. “This isn’t us telling you how to live your life, babe. This is us encouraging you to be brave and take chances, and maybe we’re calling you out on your bullshit a little.” Hearing me repeat his words from earlier brought a smile to his face.
“Jazz, your deviled eggs were perfect,” Chaz said softly.
“Honey, I know it. And, just like Jesus, I forgive.” I leaned in closer and said, “Next time you want to get back at me, choose something more believable than bad cooking.”
The rest of the staff staggered in and our day got underway. I was happy that Chaz and I cleared the air and got past my boneheaded move. He had been dead-on when he said that he and Meredith never interfered with Gabe and me as we stumbled along the path to happiness. I needed to show them both the same amount of respect.
My day moved along at a quick pace, I was shocked when Sally Ann showed up for her four o’clock appointment because it felt like my day had just begun. She was beauty and happiness personified.
“Hey, honey,” she said, leaning in to kiss me on the cheek.
“Hey, beautiful,” I returned. “Hello, sweet Adrianna,” I said to her ever-growing baby bump. Sally Ann hadn’t confirmed the choice of name, but I had a strong feeling. “How’re the Goode girls today?” Sally Ann smirked at the nickname I’d given them.
“Doing great,” she replied. “I’m enjoying spring break at home on the couch with my legs propped up and a good book on my tablet.”
“Sounds nice,” Heather told her from across the salon. “What are you reading? I could use a good book.”
Sally Ann’s cheeks turned pink, prompting us to tease her for a few seconds about reading naughty books. “It’s not naughty or inappropriate,” she said. “It’s just not going to be for everybody.”
“It’s bestiality,” Marci guessed.Whoa, girl!Sally Ann said it wasn’t naughty or inappropriate and Marci chose bestiality of all things!
Heather gasped and said, “Twincest!”Who were these women I hired? Dayum!
“I bet it’s gay romance,” Meredith said. “Those are my favorites.” That got my ears perked up.
“Yes!” Sally Ann said excitedly. “The book I’m reading is from a new author. His name is C.B. Hesterson. His debut book is just fabulous. It has everything I loved in a book—angst, twists, complicated characters, and the sex scenes are hot enough to steam off wallpaper. I’m telling you, between my pregnant hormones and this guy’s writing, I’ve worn Adrian out.”
I heard Chaz coughing and sputtering at his desk. I checked to make sure he was okay, and he waived me off. “Good stuff, huh?” I asked Sally Ann.
“It’s brilliant!” Sally Ann said.
