Page 22 of A Simple Regret

“All right, Miss Hazel, your rollers are set. Let’s move you over to the dryer,” I state, setting the lock on the chair and assisting her with standing. We move over to the dryer, and I set the temperature and lower the hood, ready to press the start button. “Let’s start with twenty minutes, just because I’m not used to this unit. It might take a little longer.”

She nods. “Thirty is what they do over at the other place.”

“All right,” I reply. “I’ll check you at twenty minutes and we’ll go from there.”

“Thank you, dear,” she replies sweetly.

I turn on the dryer and return to my station, setting the alarm on my phone for twenty minutes. My stomach growls, causing me to glance at the clock. It’s just past lunch, so as soon as I finish with Hazel, I’ll run out and grab a quick bite to eat. Once I get things a little more “routine” at my new home, I’ll try to meal prep. I love a good salad or croissant with chicken or egg salad. Until I get it figured out, I’ll run down to the diner and pick up something quick and simple, like one of their famous soup bowls or a soup and salad combo.

Oh…or maybe a grilled cheese and tomato soup. They always had the best grilled cheese sandwich!

When the twenty-minute timer goes off, I check Hazel and determine she needs an additional ten minutes. While I wait, I run back and flip the laundry over to the dryer and start a cycle. By the time that’s done and I stop to fill a tumbler with ice water, the timer is going off.

I check Hazel’s hair, finding it dry, and say, “All right, Miss Hazel, let’s get you back to my chair and finished up.”

“You’re fine, dear. The only thing this old lady has on her agenda is a nap. Well, after I have some soup for lunch. Have you had the clam chowder from the diner? It’s my favorite, and they offer it on Thursdays.”

“I haven’t had it, but I’ll be sure to give it a try,” I reply, carefully removing the rollers from her hair. I’m starting to wonder if I should maybe switch up my lunch to the clam chowder soup when the door opens.

Everyone turns and looks, and when I do, my breath catches in my throat.

Camden is here.

His eyes immediately scan the room and land on mine, but he doesn’t smile. In fact, he barely registers even the slightest hint of emotion on his handsome face. He starts heading toward where I stand, his gaze moving over to Jenn and offering her a polite nod.

I try to ignore how good he looks. I mean good good. His blue jeans might be dirty, with splotches of both dirt and grease marking the denim material, but they still look amazing. And his long-sleeved T-shirt hugs his arms and chest, reminding me of the boy I once knew and fell in love with. Why he’s not wearing a coat is beyond me, considering it’s about twenty degrees outside, but the look in his eyes and the item he’s carrying lets me know he’s a man on a mission. He’s not here for a friendly visit or chat. He’s determined and will be leaving as soon as he can.

“I can see why you came back. I’d run for that,” Hazel whispers, making my eyes widen in surprise.

Before I can reply to her, he’s standing in front of me and places Theo’s car seat down. “You left this.”

I nod, my throat suddenly thick and scratchy. “I did forget it. Dad was going to run by after work and grab it before he went to pick Theo up. Sorry you had to make an extra trip.”

He shrugs and practically throws a small white bag at me. “I was nearby and grabbed lunch,” he states, running his hands through his hair. It’s a bit longer on top and standing up in every which direction there is. It looks soft, and all I want to do is run my own fingers through the dark blond locks.

I take the bag, confused. Slowly, I open it and look inside. The amazing aroma fills my senses, making my mouth water.

“I took a chance you haven’t had lunch yet. And that you still liked grilled cheese and tomato soup.” He looks a bit uncomfortable as he stands before me.

“Thank you,” I whisper, slightly overcome with a sudden burst of emotion.

“I figured with your car out of commission, you might not have an opportunity to go grab something. But now that I think about it, considering the diner is just down the block, it sounds stupid. And if you already have lunch plans, just toss it.”

“I haven’t eaten yet. I was actually thinking of going and grabbing this exact lunch,” I tell him, offering a smile.

He starts to return it but then flinches. “Okay, great. I need to get back to work and eat. I’ll come over after I get off and check out your car.” He quickly turns and goes to leave.

“Thank you, Camden.”

He makes the briefest of hesitations but doesn’t stop moving toward the door. “Ladies,” he states, offering a wave as he exits the salon.

Yes, I watch him go.

Specifically, his ass.

I can feel all eyes on me, but I don’t look their way. I quickly place the white bag at my station, eager to finish up with my client so I can have my first grilled cheese and tomato soup from the diner in more than seven years. Then, I set the car seat against the wall and out of the way. I need to text my dad and let him know it’s here, but first, I have a roller set to finish.

Taking my place behind the chair, I remove another roller. Feeling Hazel’s gaze, I meet it in the mirror. She’s smiling.