Chapter 23
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
Dear Journal (NOT a fucking diary—mostly),
For the last year, I haven’t allowed myself to think too much about the future. I was just trying to survive each day and not lose my fucking mind. But now, thanks to Hal and Mystic Hollow, I can see the road ahead and all the beautiful things that await me on the horizon.
Hal calls me his penguin. Big, adorable man.
But I’ve finally started to believe that he’s right, and that I deserve to be with him.
Whatever force brought us together, destiny or bizarre coincidence, I’m so fucking grateful.
Hal makes me a better person, one who has hope again and trusts in others.
I’ll never be quite as trusting as he is, but that’s okay.
I don’t think anyone can be. My sweet sasquatch needs someone like me to look out for him and make sure his generosity isn’t taken advantage of.
And believe you me, I’ll cut a bitch if they mess with him and his far too kind heart.
It took me a while to figure out how I could be a partner who makes Hal’s life even better than it already is.
But I know now that what he needs is pretty damn simple.
He needs a partner who prioritizes him, takes care of him, and gives him the same kind of unconditional love he so freely gives those around him.
And you know what? I can totally fucking do that—and I plan to for the rest of my life.
—Skylar Wright’s Personal Journal
Harvest Festival Opening Day…
Skylar
Hal loves me too.
That’s the first conscious thought I have when I wake up.
In fact, it’s all I’ve been able to think about for the last few days.
Completing the finishing touches in my salon has kept me busy, but in truth, I’ve been riding the high of being in love—and for what I now realize is the first time.
This morning, my head should be filled with my mental checklist for the grand opening of the salon.
I should be freaking the fuck out. But somehow, all I can think about is Hal and how much I love him.
Confessing my feelings to him was one of the scariest things I’ve ever done, but after all the hard work I’ve done with Dr. P over the past year, I found the courage to tell him the truth.
And it totally paid off.
We’ve been in our own little lovey-dovey bubble the last few days.
Like a weirdo, I smile the whole time I take a shower, even going so far as to whistle while I wash up.
Then I bound down the stairs just in time for Hal to start plating our breakfast. As usual, the kitchen is cozy and relaxing, and full of the mouth-watering smells of whatever he’s cooked up for us.
Hal sets down plates loaded with scrambled eggs, hash browns, sausage, and toast. Then he passes me a huge, steaming cup of coffee before joining me at the breakfast nook table.
“Good morning, Skylar. Did you sleep well?” he asks, a bashful look on his face that I fucking adore.
I reach a hand up and cup the back of my neck, suddenly awkward as fuck when my one-track mind replays our make-out sessions from the last couple of nights on a loop in my head.
“Uh, yeah. How about you?”
“Me too.”
I take a sip of coffee and moan with pleasure. “Bless you, my sweet angel. I’m not quite conscious until I have my first hit of caffeine.”
Hal chuckles. “I know the feeling. My day doesn’t start getting going until I have my first cup of coffee.”
There’s an awkward pause before Hal twiddles his thumbs and blushes.
“Would it be weird for me to tell you again this morning?”
Too fucking cute. He’s been doing this every morning since I gave him the best damn haircut of his life.
I try not to choke on my coffee and act confused. “Tell me what?”
“That I love you. So very much.” His eyes shine almost as brightly as his accompanying smile.
For a second, it’s like I’ve been KO’d in the heart with love and I can’t breathe. It’s kinda like that time in elementary school when I fell off a swing and had the air knocked right out of me. Only this time, it feels a whole lot better not being able to breathe.
Only Hal can make my lungs forget how to work.
I force myself to inhale. “You can tell me as often as you want.” I rub a hand through my still damp hair. “Because I love you too, you big goofball.”
The pleased smile on Hal’s face fills me with a rush of warmth and my whole body feels light, like I could float right outta here.
Elvira suddenly comes scampering around the corner, tongues lolling out of all three of her heads, and parks her rump right at Hal’s feet, gazing up at him hopefully.
I snort with laughter. “Ha! She’s already figured out which one of us is the softie in this relationship.”
As if proving my point, Hal tosses a sausage into each of Elvira’s mouths and she munches away with obvious satisfaction.
“She’s a growing girl, after all. We need to keep her well-fed.”
I arch an eyebrow. “Are you telling me you didn’t already feed her a big breakfast when she woke up?”
“Ahem.” Hal looks away guiltily. “No comment.”
I grin so hard my jaw hurts—and I realize Hal’s the only one who’s ever made me do that.
Love’s funny that way. Huh.
I glance around and then crane my neck to look up at the ceiling. “Is Astraea eating with us?”
Hal shrugs. “I’m not sure. She got back pretty early this morning, so I suspect she’s still sleeping, and I don’t want to disturb her.”
I nod. My boyfriend is seriously a smart guy. “Neither of us needs a grouchy dragon goddess breathing literal fire down our necks.”
“I suspect she, Baxter, and Rowan were busy with magic business most of last night, making sure everything is A-okay for today,” Hal says. “After all, it’s finally the big opening day of the festival.” He beams. “And your salon!”
I smile back. “I’m glad we have Rowan here now. Hopefully everything will go off without a hitch.”
Somehow, Hal can always make me see the bright side of life. I’m not even worried about today.
“Your salon opening is going to be a huge success, I just know it. You’ve done such an incredible job of bringing your dream to life, and I’m certain folks in town will appreciate your skills as a hairdresser.
” He winks at me and fuck if that isn’t the cutest thing ever.
“I’ve gotten to experience your talent firsthand, so I know you’ll be in hot demand, my love. ”
His words make me squirm a little. I’m not used to hearing a lot of praise, and don’t know how to respond to it, but I’m working on it with Dr. P.
She tells me I deserve it and I’m starting, little by little, to believe her—mostly because of Hal.
His encouragement, support, and unwavering certainty in my abilities has started to change how I see myself.
He’s also inspired me to reassess my priorities in life. My business is very important to me, but Hal is even more so.
The haircut I gave him is just the start of how I plan to take care of Hal, in my own way, from here on out.
Seeing how much he loved me using my hairdresser mojo on him filled me with a shit ton of pride and satisfaction.
I also learned that having his hair brushed and washed is a sensual and pleasurable experience for him.
He might not experience sexual desire, but there are plenty of other ways we can share forms of physical intimacy we both enjoy.
I plan to perform a detailed study of what Hal likes so I can do more of it.
We share a few moments of companionable silence while we finish our breakfast. When I’m done eating, I glance at the clock on the wall and gulp down a second cup of black coffee. It burns a little on the way down, but I don’t care. Caffeine is my lifeblood, especially on opening day.
“I hate to rush off,” I apologize, getting up from the table, “but I really gotta get down to the salon since Akram is going to meet me there soon. We need to get him situated with his drink station before I open the doors to clients.”
“Of course. Once I’ve tidied up here, I’ll be heading out as well.
I’ve got to go down to the orchard for the festival’s opening events.
” He blushes adorably. “If you get a chance to swing by around four o’clock, the students from Jayden’s class over at the elementary school are going to be doing a musical performance. ”
“Sounds like fun. I’ll have to see how things go but’ll do my best to make it. I think I can either close a little early or lock up for a short break.”
Hal follows me to the front door. “All the best, Skylar. I know your opening day is going to be fantastic. Remember to believe in yourself and your dream. You’re really making it happen, and there’s no one and nothing that can stop you.”
My chest gets full and tight as I study his face, which has become so precious to me.
I muster my resolve and stride over to him, motioning him to lean down. He does so with the quizzical look on his face that morphs into delighted surprise when I pull him down for a kiss.
When I let him go, his expression is more than a little dazed and flustered.
It makes me downright smug.
“That’s just a little something special so you don’t forget about me today. We’ll continue this tonight.” I wink at him and turn to stroll out the front door, whistling the whole way.
I don’t think I stop smiling until I reach the front door of the salon.
Just as I’m opening up, a van pulls to a stop at the curb in front of me and Akram jumps out.
“Perfect timing,” he says with a grin. “I’ve got a van full of booze, and I’m ready to get this shindig started.”
I reach out to shake his hand. “Fantastic, I like a man who comes prepared. Follow me.”
Leading the way, I show him to the nail tech station. There’s already an L-shaped table in place, and Akram nods approvingly when he sees it.
“This will be perfect for my mini bar, and I can keep out of your hair.” He winks. “No pun intended.”
I chuckle. “Sounds good. I’ll help you bring stuff in.”
In twenty minutes, we’ve hauled in the full crates of alcohol and a large cooler full of ice, as well as plenty of disposable cups.