She blinks away quickly, but a pretty pink color blooms across her cheeks. I decide to take it as a good sign.
I’m quiet and still as she threads her fingers through myhair, snipping again and again, not going past her cousin’s designated trim limit.
Finally, she gets to a point where she stops. She puts the scissors down, and she stands in front of me, threading her fingers through my damp hair, lifting it and inspecting the layers.
“This will give it a style, and I brought it up so it’s not on your neck.”
She takes the drape off my shoulders, carrying it to a basket near the back wall. Then she returns to where I’m sitting, watching her.
“Thank you.” I look up, wondering if she felt the tone shift as well. “Can I pay you?”
She shakes her head. “Your money’s no good here.”
Reaching for her waist, I pull her to me, between my legs. “I hope my words are.”
“Words are nice, but actions are better.”
“I’ll do anything for you, Gina. I didn’t know I could love like this again until I met you. Only this time, it’s a bigger love than I’ve ever felt before. It scares me, because I know this time I wouldn’t get over the loss.”
Reaching up, she moves my hair off my cheek. A hint of a smile curls her lips. “Let’s walk back to the house. You need to get home and see your little girl.”
“I won’t sleep tonight unless I know you’ve forgiven me.”
Her eyes blink down, and she takes my hand. “Come on.”
We walk slowly back to the house, and when we get to the back porch, she pauses. Our hands are clasped, and I lift her fingers to my lips.
“I love you, Gina.”
Her lips tighten, and she nods. “I know.”
27
GINA
He exhales a laugh, nodding. “You know.”
Then he presses his lips to the back of my fingers again in a way that floods my entire body with heat.
I have no idea how I’m managing to be so strong right now. Everything inside of me wants to give in and say it’s okay, it was just a spat, forget about it… He filled my entire freakin room with flowers. And not just any flowers,I’m sorryflowers. Who knew I’m sorry flowers were the best flowers? White tulips, roses, and hyacinths?
Lifting my hand, I thread my fingers in the sides of his hair again. I nearly lost it just now cutting his silky hair. His warm breath was on my chest as I leaned forward to lift and snip. His warm cheeks were at my wrists when I pulled it out to trim. I wanted to crawl into his lap and cover his mouth with mine.
It was the sexiest haircut of my life.
Of course, I’m usually grooming dogs, and there’s nothing sexy about that.
Cutting Owen’s hair was fire. My chest burned, my knees trembled, and it took all my strength not to fall into his arms.
But he hurt me. He walked away without letting me explain. He ignored all my calls and didn’t reply to a single one of my texts for three days… While he went to talk to his dad.
About me.
I watch him walk away with his Armani coat over his arm and that duffel bag in his hand. He pauses at the gate, giving me one last smile before stepping through it and heading down the sidewalk to his home, and I melt against the door jamb.
Maddie needs to see her daddy tonight. Heather misses him, I’m sure.
I’ll let him think about what he did for a full eight hours, then I’ll forgive him first thing in the morning.
