Chapter Seven
Gigi
L ewis and I make our way toward the group of tables where my team is already gathered for our weekend happy hour. Since the salon closes earlier on weekends, it’s the perfect time for us to unwind together. A small wave of relief washes over me as I realize Lewis didn’t find an excuse to skip out this time.
“Hey, everybody!” I say with a bright smile.
Sabrina’s face lights up immediately. “Gigi!” Her eyes flick over to Lewis, scanning him from head to toe with a mischievous glint. “Is this Lewis?”
Grinning, I squeeze his hand a little tighter. “It is,” I say, glancing up at him proudly.
A few people wave, others call out hello, and Lewis pulls his hand from mine before sitting between Sabrina and Samuel, one of my estheticians. I settle in next to him just as the server approaches. After ordering our drinks, I shift my attention back to the group.
Samuel leans over, addressing Lewis with a warm smile. “Good to finally have you join us. Gigi’s told us great things about you.”
Lewis returns the smile, but I can tell it’s forced. “Happy to be here.”
I know he’s not, but I appreciate the effort. He’s trying to seem at ease for my sake, and that means something.
Sabrina, ever the flirt, picks up her drink—probably a tequila sunrise. She wraps her lips around the short straw and takes a slow, deliberate sip, her gaze lingering on Lewis just a little longer than necessary. She doesn’t even need to try; it’s just Sabrina. She could make walking through mud look sexy.
“So, Lewis,” she purrs. “Gigi mentioned you took a new position a couple of months ago. How’s it going?”
He glances her way, his expression guarded. “It’s going well. The work is pretty straightforward.”
“Good,” she nods, her voice dripping with interest.
Our drinks arrive, and I raise my glass for a toast. The group follows suit, and soon we’re swapping stories about the latest ridiculous customer incidents and sharing our goals for the next month. Lewis seems surprisingly engaged, chatting with Sabrina and Leslie, and even laughing at one of Leslie’s jokes. I’m relieved. He’s not retreating into his usual silence, which makes the evening that much better.
But just as I’m getting comfortable, Lewis leans over and glances at his watch. “Are you almost ready to go?”
I blink, surprised. “It’s already been an hour? You seem like you’re having a good time. Want to stay a little longer?”
He shakes his head. “Can’t. I need to be online in forty-five minutes.”
Of course, the PlayStation. “Right, okay.” I sigh internally, but keep my smile intact. “Let me grab the tab.”
I wave down the server and hand over my card before turning back to the group. “Alright, everyone, Lewis needs to head out, so let me just say thank you—for everything you do for the shop and for coming out tonight. The tab’s on me, so enjoy yourselves!”
Lifting my glass for one last toast, I’m met with cheers and laughter from my team. These people mean the world to me. They’re not just team members—they’re family. The way they care for each other and our customers inspires me every day, and I feel incredibly fortunate to lead them.
When the server returns with my card, I quickly sign the receipt and rise from my seat. Lewis follows me out of the bar, and I loop my arm through his as we walk. His hand stays firmly tucked in his pocket.
“Thanks for being here tonight. It really meant a lot,” I say, giving his arm a gentle squeeze.
“No problem,” he replies, his voice flat.
Back at the apartment, he immediately logs into his game. I grab my Kindle and retreat to the bedroom. They say bookworms and gamers are a match made in heaven, and honestly, I couldn’t agree more.