Chapter 5 #4
“’Course not,” I say firmly. “Hair’s a totally natural thing, and everyone’s different.
That’s part of what’s so cool about it. Yours is beautiful, and it would be an honor to work on it.
” I give him a sheepish smile. “Plus, I feel like it’s a small way I can repay you for all the kindness and generosity you’ve shown me since I moved into the B&B. ”
Hal holds up his hands. “I don’t need any kind of repayment. What I give to my guests is freely shared. I wouldn’t want you to feel like this is something you have to do.”
“Trust me. It’s something I want to do. I’d feel better sharing my talents as an expression of my gratitude.” I hesitate. “But if it makes you uncomfortable, I won’t force you to accept.”
Hal studies me closely as if to gauge my sincerity and then nods shyly. “I’d be delighted to be your salon’s first client in Mystic Hollow.”
That fills me with a happy, floaty sensation inside.
The conversation shifts directions again, and we start talking about the Harvest Festival and Hal’s responsibilities. But the more Hal talks, the more I want to help him somehow.
“How did your committee meeting go? Did they say I can help out? With such a big event, every little bit counts, I’m sure.”
Hal smiles and I can’t help but notice the way it makes the corners of his eyes crinkle, which is super fucking cute.
“I had a talk with the other committee members, and they all agreed you can join us at the next meeting. We’ll figure out something for you to help with, don’t worry. We’re all exhausted, and more volunteers are always welcome.”
“Awesome. I can’t wait.”
Hal grins. “I’m excited to introduce you to the other committee members.
You know Baxter already, but we also have Sylvia from the Clothing Emporium, Ryder’s BFF Max MacLeod, who’s also Targan’s boyfriend, Principal Bogey and his partner Jayden, and Kassiel Blackburn, who runs a couture fashion boutique downtown. ”
“Well, I do need to get to know more of the movers and shakers in town, especially among the business owners. This sounds like a two birds, one stone type of situation for me. Win-win.”
Hal chuckles but then his brow furrows in thought. “Are you sure you aren’t too busy with getting the salon up and running? I appreciate your willingness to volunteer your assistance but I don’t want to overburden you.”
“I can spare an hour or two a day until opening. Like I said, helping out is good for me too.”
Then I get an idea.
“In fact, what if I also offered some kind of special at my salon? I open the same day as the festival starts, so the timing is kinda perfect. Like, maybe I could do a Harvest Festival Blowout event?”
Hal blinks at me. “What’s a blowout?”
I can’t hold back a bark of laughter. “It’s a quick wash, dry, and style situation. Sometimes people like to do it when they have a date night or an event and want their hair to look its best.”
Hal beams. “I bet there’s lots of folks here in town who’d like to do that to look spiffy for the festival.”
“Right, and it’s a way for me to incentivize residents to come check out my salon.”
Hal holds up one of his enormous hands. “This calls for a fist bump, don’t you think?” He blushes. “Ryder taught me it.”
Too. Fucking. Cute.
I reach up my own fist, and we gently bump them together.
When we touch, a snap-crackle-pop of awareness zips through me.
Well, fuck.
I definitely need to send out an SOS to Dr. P tomorrow. I don’t have a fucking clue what to do with how I’m feeling about Hal. All I know is that I can’t ignore it or pretend it doesn’t exist anymore.
Thankfully, Hal dives into a history of the Harvest Festival, and I relax once again. The sound of his warm, rich voice is soothing, and before I know it, I’m nodding off. Hal’s presence is like a comfort blanket, albeit a big, hairy, adorable one—and I kinda want him to wrap all of him around me.
Ordinarily, I don’t like falling asleep in front of others.
It’s a vulnerable state that I don’t trust people not to take advantage of.
Too many bad experiences in shelters after I ran away from home as a teenager have made me a light sleeper.
But for the first time in more years than I can remember, I’m sinking into a deep sleep on a couch, Hal right beside me.
I don’t know how much time passes before it suddenly feels like I’m floating, and I rouse enough to find myself in Hal’s big, gentle arms as he carries me upstairs to my bedroom. I know I should protest, but being cradled by him is so fucking wonderful that I can’t make myself say anything.
When he lays me down on my bed, my heart lurches while he takes the time to remove my shoes and tuck me under the blankets.
“Sorry,” I mumble, fighting to keep my eyes open.
“Think nothing of it. Sweet dreams, Skylar,” he murmurs, then turns out the light, closing the door quietly behind him when he leaves.
Even in my exhausted stupor and with sleep pulling me under once more, I’m forced to admit to myself that Hal just might be starting to claim my heart, piece by broken piece.