“But…” She grins.“We work in news, and you do love a good story.”
The timer dings, and Mia claps her hands together.“Alright, Amelia, it’s time to wash these foils out.”
As I make my way to the sink, I can’t help but think maybe Violet’s right.Maybe I do love a good story.
And Adrian?He’s definitely becoming one.
The toner sits in my hair, the chemical scent strong, but we’re almost done, so our conversation slows now partly because the stylists are cutting our hair, and partly because the roar of blow dryers drowns out any chance of talking.
I close my eyes, letting the warm air blow over me, my head tilting slightly as my stylist works.Thoughts drift to Adrian, wondering when I’ll see him again.Maybe tonight?My stomach flutters with anticipation.I’m picturing his eyes on me, like nobody else exists.
“You know,” Mia, my stylist, says conversationally, “I was thinking Adrian would be a great match for my sister.”
My stomach twists so violently I feel like I might be sick.
Oh.
I swallow, forcing a neutral smile.“Oh, yeah?”I keep my voice light, casual, and unaffected, but my insides are anything but.
I want to say no.I want to say he’s already mine.
But is he?
We never laid out rules.Never said if we were seeing other people.But Adrian doesn’t seem like that kind of guy.Still, the thought of someone else trying to set him up burns in a way I didn’t expect.
“She’s really sweet.”Mia continues, oblivious to my internal panic.“Works at the bank, loves working out.I think they’d be perfect together.”
“Mm-hmmm,” I mumble through a clenched jaw.
I try to ignore the uneasy feeling, but it’s still there, hanging on so much that before I can talk myself out of it, I grab my phone and type out a message while Mia isn’t behind me.
Me:So, the hairdresser wants to set you up with her sister.
I swear, sometimes, he’s just waiting for me to text him, especially with how quickly he responds.
Adrian:Well, I’m not interested in anyone else.Only you.
A warm rush of relief and satisfaction spreads across my face in the form of a smile.
“Okay, what was that?”Violet’s loud voice cuts in, making me jump.“Why are you grinning like that?Who’s texting you?”
Shit.
I flip my phone face down on my lap.“It’s just Hazel.”I hate how easily it’s becoming to deceive my best friend.“Filling me in on more about her and Adrian at the retirement village.”
Violet’s eyes narrow.“Oh?Did something else funny happen?”
The way she zeroes in on me makes my heart race.I’m dodging way too many questions, spinning way too many lies.
“Yeah, I’ll tell you later,” I say quickly as the blow dryer roars to life again.
Thank God.I don’t have to say anything else.
I step out of the salon, feeling good, loving my fresh blonde highlights.
Violet got sucked into some keratin treatment for her flyaways, but I’d budgeted for this appointment and nothing more.No extras.No indulgences.Just the basics.
I start heading toward my car when suddenly—a hand catches mine.
