“N-no.”
She hummed and I braced myself.
“Really?” she asked. “Good. Because you made her nervous.”
“Dammit,” I muttered. “I knew the way I look would?—”
I paused when she smirked in my direction. “Seems like you care.”
“I don’t, but she won’t come here if she thinks I have bad customer service.” It was a weak excuse, but it was the only one I had.
“Trust me, that’s not the issue,” she said. “You made her nervous because she thought she upset you.”
“I—she didn’t. That’s just how I act with everyone.”
She nodded. “I told her that. But I had a feeling she thought it was her fault. And I was right.”
Dammit. That wasn’t what I wanted.
“But it’s you,” Kelsey said at my silence. “That never bothers you, right?”
I could tell by her tone that she was begging for me to deny it. She knew that itdidbother me.
“It doesn’t.” I shook my head. “Could you finish cleaning the coffee machine?”
“Gonna go smooth things over?”
“No,” I replied. “You probably already did that.”
“But—”
“Why doyoucare?” I asked. “I thought you didn’t get involved in town drama since you want to leave eventually.”
She went still. “Touché.”
And with that, she turned to resume her work.
I let out a breath. That wouldn’t work forever. But it did the trick for now.
Since Kelsey was busy, I finally let my eyes slide over to Piper, who was working on a laptop. Whatever Kelsey said must’ve helped. Piper wasn’t fully relaxed, but she didn’t seem like a ball of nerves like she had been just moments before.
It was better this way. Kelsey and Piper could get close. Or maybe Piper would get to know the other women in town. I would fade into the background like I always did.
Forcing myself to look away, I turned to the front just as Jackie walked in.
“Hi,” she said with a warm smile.
“Want your usual?” I asked. Behind me, I had a feeling Kelsey was already starting it.
“Yes, please. I need a little pick-me-up for the shop.” Her eyes moved to Kelsey. “Speaking of, when are you gonna let me refresh your dye?”
“Probably next week on my day off,” she replied. “Thank you for offering to do it.”
“Well, you know I’m cheaper than in the big cities.” She waved her hand. Kelsey had tried to resist using the services in town, but Jackie had worn her down. A lot of the people here were like that. “I should spruce myself up. Dean’s coming over tonight.”
Kelsey laughed. “Good luck getting him from Grace.”
“I would never break them up. He’s just so good-looking.” She let out a long sigh and then looked at me. “You are too, Theo.”
