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My mouth waters at the thought. Damn him for knowing my weaknesses. “You’re on thin ice, pretty boy,” I mutter, but there’s no real heat behind my words.
“Well, beautiful, I will have you know that I used to play hockey as a teenager.” His eyes sparkle with mischief.
I nearly choke on my own spit. “Of course you did. Let me guess, you were the star player who had all the girls swooning in the stands?”
“Nah,” he says with a casual shrug. “I was more of an enforcer. I kept the other team in line, if you know what I mean.” He flexes his biceps for emphasis, and I have to tear my gaze away before I do something stupid, like drool.
“How noble of you,” I deadpan, focusing on his haircut. “Defending your team’s honor with your fists. A true knight in shining armor.”
“I prefer leather, actually.” His eyes dance with amusement. “Much more practical for skating and other activities.”
I nearly snip off more than I intend to at that loaded statement. “I’m sure,” I mutter, willing my cheeks not to flush. Damn my traitorous body for reacting to his shameless flirting.
I also don’t want it to end. Luckily, I’m only halfway through his haircut. Usually, I can whip these out in fifteen minutes or less, but I also book a full thirty minutes for a haircut.
As I work on Dash’s hair, I can’t help but steal glances at his reflection. His eyes are a captivating shade of blue, like the ocean right before a storm. Just like with Quinn, I feel a pull towards Dash that both thrills and terrifies me. These growing connections with the pack members are dangerous. The more I let them in, the harder it’ll be to keep my secret. But a small part of me wonders what it would be like to belong, to have a pack of my own. I quickly squash that thought. I can’t afford to think like that.
It’s unsettling how easily he can get under my skin, but I have to admit, there’s something magnetic about him… Probably his muscles. He was absolutely a surfer in a past life.
“So,” Dash begins, breaking the comfortable silence, “how did you end up working at this salon? Not that I’m complaining, of course. I just can’t picture you settling down in one place.”
I chuckle, shaking my head. “Believe it or not, I actually enjoy the stability. Plus, I get to meet interesting characters like you.” Oh, and the chemicals hide my natural scent.
“Interesting, huh?” He smirks, arching an eyebrow. “I’ll take that as a compliment.”
“Take it however you like,” I retort, snipping away a bit more hair, “but don’t let it go to your head. It’s already big enough.”
“Touché.” He laughs. “But seriously, you seem like you have a lot going on. I mean, you’re clearly driven, and there’s this fire in your eyes… It’s intriguing.”
I pause, meeting his gaze in the mirror. “Maybe I do have a lot going on, but everyone has their own battles, right?”
He nods, his expression softening. “True. Life has a way of throwing curve balls, but you seem like you can handle it.”
“Sometimes,” I admit, resuming my work. “Other times, it’s a bit overwhelming, but I manage.”
Only because I have no other choice.
“Well, if you ever need someone to talk to…or distract you with terrible jokes, I’m your guy.” He smiles with his whole face, as though his happiness beams out of him. “Beautiful,” he adds, making me blush and causing all my omega parts to perk up.
I laugh, genuinely amused. “I’ll keep that in mind, Dash, but what about you? What do you do when you’re not annoying me with your charming presence?”
“Charming, huh?” He grins, and I can see the satisfaction in his eyes. “I dabble in a few things, mostly freelance work. It keeps me busy and lets me travel. I like the freedom.”
“Freelance what?” I ask, genuinely curious. “You don’t strike me as the desk job type.”
“You got me there,” he admits. “I do a bit of everything—photography, writing, even some consulting work. It’s a mixed bag, but it suits me.” He snaps his fingers. “And I work for Malachi in an adult job. You know, keeping people safe and shit.”
“That sounds…exciting,” I say, a bit envious of his freedom. “I bet you’ve seen some amazing places.”
“I have,” he says, a wistful look crossing his face. “But you know, sometimes the best moments aren’t about the places but the people you meet along the way.”
I feel a blush creeping up my cheeks and quickly look away, focusing on his hair. “I suppose that’s true, but still, traveling the world sounds like a dream.”
I’d need a passport, and Noah set mine on fire, literally.
“It can be,” he agrees, “but it can also be lonely. You start to miss having a place to call home.”
“Home is overrated,” I mutter, instantly regretting it. I don’t want to give too much away. I don’t even have a nest.
