Page 62 of Worthy of Sunsets and Second Chances

“I thought we were going to do curls after my blow-dry? I was planning on telling you all about my grandson. He’s single and very handsome, Kendra.” Eli raises an eyebrow at her as we make our way to the front.

“That’s so nice of you, maybe next time. Your curls will be on the house, we don’t want to do any more heat on your hair today, okay?” I lie through my clenched teeth about entertaining the conversation about her grandson. I guide her past Eli and Wren to the desk so our intern, Tasha, can check her out and help her with the payment.

“I’m ready for you, Eli,” Candace says, and I shoot her a death glare, which makes Eli snort as he steps up next to me and slips a possessive, strong hand around my waist.

“Thanks, Kimmy, but I’m here for Kendra. Only my woman gets to cut my hair.” Then he bends down and gives me a quick kiss, but one that makes his point clear. Mine.

“It’s Candi,” I hear Candace grumble under her breath as she stomps away. Out of all the people that work here, she’s the one I like least. She loves attention, obviously, and when she doesn’t get it the way she thinks is deserved, she acts like a child that didn’t get the toy they wanted . . . and it was very obvious that she wanted to play with Eli.

“Hi, sweetheart,” Eli says, untangling my hair from Wren’s grasp that she snagged when he bent down to kiss me. “We thought that we would come see you on your first day back, plus”—he pulls off his hat, revealing his messy dark locks that curl around his ears—“I think I’m overdue for a trim.”

His dimple is back and making my panties damp. Damnit.

“Ah, okay. But I have to clean up my station first.” I gesture to the hair scattered around the base of my black and chrome chair.

“No rush, we’ll be up here.” Eli sits in one of the chairs by the front windows, smiling at Wren and talking to her while he waits. All the women’s eyes in the salon trail his every movement.

Once I’m ready, Antonio materializes like some kind of magician.

“Come see Uncle Tony! We don’t want itchy hair to get all over you, right?” He reaches his hands out to Wren who instantly goes to him, shocking Eli.

“It’s fine,” I say to Eli. “Antonio is literally the best babysitter ever. He has a big Italian family and eight siblings, and they all have like two to five kids. Their family calls him first whenever they need help.”

Wren squishes Antonio’s face in her chubby hands and he laughs, eyes glimmering with adoration and joy that only comes from truly enjoying being with children.

Eli relaxes back in my chair and says with a wink, “Okay . . . Have your way with me, sweetheart.”

I shouldn’t let my mind immediately go to a dirty place. Shouldn’t want to touch him like we are the only people here when we absolutely are not. I want to run my hands through his hair and tug on it instead of cut it. I’m a hair stylist, it’s my job for fuck’s sake. I am a professional—always. But right now I can’t stop thinking about it. My hands, his hair, his body, my body, and how good it would feel to let go.

Eli clears his throat and our eyes lock in the mirror. The heat I find in his gaze makes me think he knows exactly where my mind is and he is right there with me.

At the end of the most challenging haircut of my career, Eli is somehow even more handsome.

Damn, I do good work.

I bite my lip, trying not to look at him as I clean up his hair clippings. Antonio passes Wren back over to Eli with a promise to play with her for us every time he comes in for a haircut, which thrills Eli.

“Now that you made me presentable again, I’d like to take you out on a date,” Eli says.

I was bending over sweeping when he said that, and the shock of his words makes me smack my head on the base of the salon chair.

“Ouch, fuck. Ahh. Sorry, Wren, frick, frack, faaa—that hurt.” I stand up.

“Are you okay?” Eli steps up next to me and gently rubs the small lump on my head that’s forming, then tenderly plants a kiss on it. “I’m so sorry. That was my fault.”

“It’s fine, I just was . . . surprised.” I put all my cleaning supplies away and go wash my hands.

When I make my way back to him Wren is reaching for me, and I take her. She nuzzles into my neck and I close my eyes, breathing her in. I missed her all day. I missed him all day too.

“So, can I take you on that date?” Eli asks again, biting his lip nervously.

Rubbing Wren’s back in circles as I sway back and forth, I ask, “Is this an official date or a secret date?”

He makes a rumbling, annoyed sound deep in his chest. “Official, shout-it-from-the-mountaintops date.”

“Hmmm, what do you think all your followers on your little jump rope, thirst trap page will say? They all really are hoping for a shot.” I poke, push, trying my best to ruffle his immaculate feathers.

He grins. Wide.