Chapter 35 #2
“You know”—she turned to face him—“I don’t mind helping her out.
I really don’t. In fact, I’d have been more than happy to do it.
But it’s the principle of the thing. The fact of the matter is, she didn’t even bother to ask if I would take her to the airport.
Heck, she never even said anything about going before tonight.
I’m sure she was just bored and needed a change, so she decided to hop on a plane, because she’s spoiled and thinks she can have whatever she wants. ”
She paused to take a breath, and he stretched his legs under the table, settling further into the booth. Her body was still tight with tension, but he let his hand linger lightly on her shoulder, a gentle touch letting her know he was there for her.
Adalyn sighed heavily. “I’m so tired of being treated like crap because she feels entitled to do whatever she wants whenever she wants.”
He waited a moment, but it seemed her tirade was over. “For what it’s worth… I’m glad you finally stood up to her.”
“Yeah?” Steely eyes met his. “You don’t think I overreacted?”
“Not at all.” He shook his head. “Granted, I don’t know her all that well, but your mother seems… difficult.”
Adalyn let out a half laugh. “You think?”
“She strikes me as being a very strong personality who bullies people into doing what she wants.” Adalyn nodded in agreement.
“Sometimes the only way to get through to someone like that is to stand up to them just the way you did. If they feel like they can push you around, they’ll continue to walk all over you. ”
A tiny smile quirked her mouth. “Sounds like you’re familiar with this.”
He shrugged. “Not personally, exactly. But I knew guys like that in the service. Thought they were better than everyone else.” He took a moment.
“Your mother is kind of like those guys. Everyone is deserving of respect, and it’s time she starts showing it to you.
You have a successful business and you’re an awesome mom. Who wouldn’t be proud of that?”
She dipped her head, presumably to hide the flash of moisture he’d glimpsed in her eyes. Her voice was whisper-soft when she spoke, and the rasp told him his hunch was correct. “Thank you.”
He wanted to pull her close, tuck her in next to him, but he didn’t want to push her too far. He was here if—when—she needed him. He allowed almost a full minute to pass, giving her time to gather herself before he spoke again. “How have things been at the salon?”
“You know.” She lifted one shoulder in a tiny shrug. “Busy. There’s always something to do, some issue that needs to be fixed.”
He nodded. It was the perfect in for the subject he’d wanted to bring up for a couple of days now. “Have you thought about hiring anyone else?”
“Not really.” She bit her lower lip for a moment. “It would be kind of a stretch with trying to pay the mortgage, plus my own rent and my debt to Evelyn, and I’m not sure I want to take that risk right now.”
“Well, maybe this is a good time to make a change,” he suggested. “Once we pay off your mother, things won’t be so tight. You can put some money aside for Jaclyn as you’re able.”
“Maybe.” She worried that lower lip again.
Their conversation paused as the waitress delivered their drinks to the table, and he thanked her.
He pressed on, undaunted. “I’m sure having Amy as backup helps, but having another pair of hands to help around the shop would allow you to spend more time with Jaclyn.”
“It would be nice,” she acknowledged. She traced the rim of her glass with one finger as she spoke. “Jenn told me the other day she was looking for something else. I hate to lose her—she does such a great job. Maybe I’ll promote her and hire another salesgirl to help out.”
“You deserve it,” he said. “You’ve done so well, but you’re killing yourself trying to keep up.”
Anger flared in her eyes as she met his gaze. “I’m fine.”
“I didn’t say you weren’t. But I see the circles under your eyes.” She quickly averted her eyes, and he knew he’d hit the nail on the head. “You deserve to have some time off. You’re the only one who doesn’t get a day off.”
He knew, because the only day the salon was closed was Sunday.
She worked from nine in the morning until at least seven each night and barely took the time to eat lunch during the day.
He’d found this out by talking with Amy the other day while he waited for Adalyn.
She always looked exhausted, yet she gave one hundred percent both at the salon and at home.
If she kept it up, she would get burnt out.
He knew she loved what she did, but it was slowly killing her.
He watched as she drew a little design in the condensation that had gathered on her glass. “Maybe you’re right,” she finally admitted. “It would be nice to spend more time with her. Before we know it, she’ll be in school and all grown up.”
She’d been in his life for less than two weeks, but he understood perfectly where she was coming from. He was momentarily hung up on her statement about Jaclyn before the first part even registered. She’d said we.
Hope flared in his chest. That meant she was planning, subconsciously at least, for him to be in Jaclyn’s life.
It was progress, more so than anything else.
They’d been close physically, but Adalyn still held so much of herself back, keeping everything bottled up inside.
He was incredibly pleased that she was beginning to think of them as a couple.
He pulled her a tiny bit closer and ran his hand up and down her arm. “I’ll help however I can and support whatever you want to do. I don’t want you to think I’m trying to tell you how to run your business.”
“No, no.” She waved a hand. “I know what you’re saying. And I appreciate it.” She shot him a little smile over her shoulder. “You’ve done so much for me. I don’t know how we’ll ever be even.”
“It’s not about getting even, Addy.” He slipped a hand beneath her jaw. “Besides, as long as I have you and Jaclyn, I have everything I need.”
Gray eyes turned liquid, like mercury. Her tongue darted out and swiped over her bottom lip. “The things you say…” She inhaled deeply and closed her eyes for a second before meeting his eyes again. “Make me think you’re really in this.”
“I am, sweetheart. I can promise you that I’ll be here as long as you’ll have me.”
And he hoped that it would be a long time.