“Have you ever hidden from anything in your life?”
She looks up, thinking about it. “Nope.” Turning on her knees, she peeks over the top of my desk. “I think it’s clear.” She jumps up and sits on my desk.
“So I hear the big hot guy was seen leaving your place this morning.” Oh my god, this town loves to gossip. “I also heard that you were busted getting it on with him in your store.”
Kill me now. Never mind, don’t. There are so many things I want to do with Shaw before I die. I’m not going anywhere and as I move, I can still feel his release between my legs.
“Don’t change the subject. Why are you hiding?”
Kayla swings her legs back and forth. “Should I get us some lunch?”
“And go out there to be spotted by whoever you’re hiding from?”
“Good point. I’ll watch the store and you get us lunch.”
Romeo jumps up for his petting from Kayla.
“I’ll get us food if you tell me who you’re hiding from.” I give her a look that says if everyone can know about my life, surely I can know about my best friend’s.
“Just someone back in town. I’m avoiding him.”
“Who?” I push, because her evasiveness on the subject is only making me more curious.
“What are you, the police?” She purses her lips together.
“I met the police here. I think they gossip, so yes, I guess I am the police.” How else did everyone know my business around here? I guess it could have been Missy.
“Touché.” Kayla hops down off the desk. “I really don’t want to talk about it.”
For the first time ever Kayla looks defeated so I let it go. I’m not going to push if she’s not ready. I wonder if it’s the same someone who broke her heart that she never talks about.
“Strawberry shake?” I offer, knowing those always make her happy. How could they not?
“You’re the best.” I grab my purse from behind the desk. “This doesn't mean we aren't talking about Shaw when you get back here.” She wiggles her eyebrows and a small smile forms on her lips. I know I’m going to have to cave if it perks her up. “I did some digging and found some stuff about him.”
“I’ll hurry back then.” I head out, stopping at the front door to check on the bell. I open the door a few times and nothing sounds. The bell is still there but it’s not ringing. I smile because I know if I grab a new one from the hardware store Shaw will put it in for me. He said he was coming back later, that he needs to check in on his mom and answer some work emails and calls.
I head out of the bookstore toward the diner that sits at the end of the road. I’m not in a giant hurry like I told Kayla, but I really don’t think she knows anything about Shaw that I don’t. We spent hours talking last night. I didn't know you could learn so much about someone so quickly, but I felt like I’d known him for years. He put me at ease and I found myself easily opening up to him.
Not only that, he brings out a side of me that’s deep down inside. One that I thought I’d only have in my fantasies when I lay in bed and thought about what sex would be like. I didn’t think I’d ever be able to ask for the things I want. Last night and this morning with Shaw, he knew what I wanted before I did. Sleeping in bed without him was hard. I tossed and turned all night wondering why he’d turn down sharing a bed with me. I knew it was a small bed and he was a big guy, but we could have made it work.
It had put a small amount of doubt in my mind that I’d misread some of our night. Then when I walked out this morning he washed all the doubt away. He’d been right when he said I was teasing him because I needed more. When I finally asked, he gave it to me without hesitation, and not only that, he made me feel sexy and powerful too.
“Hey, Barbie,” Larry calls to me as I walk in front of his barber shop. I could be wrong but it looked like he winked at me. Maybe he just had something in his eye. I stop at his open door, unsure of what to say.
“Ah. Hi?” It comes out like a question because Larry has never once said hi to me. I thought he was Team Missy because I thought I once saw him sneaking into the back of her shop.
“You know we cut women's hair too?”
I grab a lock of my hair and look at the ends. “I think I’m good.” I let my hair go and keep on walking, but when I look back I notice he’s watching me.
I think I must be paranoid about the broken lock because suddenly I’m feeling suspicious of everyone. I speed up anyway until I make it to the diner, which just so happens to be as busy as ever.
“Barbie!” Amelia calls my name as I enter.
I sneak off to the side and give her my order along with a book I have for her in my purse. The only tip she’ll take from me is in the form of a book and I’m more than happy to oblige. I love the friendships I’m forming with some of the women in town over our shared love of romance. It gives me hope that other people's judgments will fade over time.
She takes my order and gives it to one of the cooks. She goes around and checks on her tables before she comes right back over toward me. I guess you can get away with that when you and your husband own the place.
“I heard that you were kissing that guy Shaw.” I turn red because a few people turn and look our way. “Come on, spill it.” She pokes my hip.
“How do you know about that? Was it Missy?” She’s becoming a real pain.
“Like I’d listen to anything she has to say.” Amelia rolls her eyes. “A few of the local cops were here this morning.” Now it’s me that rolls my eyes. “Don’t get mad. Once you get to know more people around here, you’ll enjoy the small-town shenanigans.” She might be right. I think it’s because I still feel like an outsider.
“Yes, I’m seeing Shaw,” I admit. She can spread that around all she wants.
“You just killed a few dreams around town.” She lets out a long sigh as if she was harboring some of her own.
“I’m going to tell your husband on you.”
She shrugs, not looking worried at all. “Have at it.” Her voice drops. “He fucks me extra hard when he gets jealous.” She laughs before she winks at me.
“Amelia, get your fine ass over here.” We both look to her husband, who is pushing my to-go boxes out the window. I can tell from the look in his eyes he probably heard everything. My face warms more, wondering who else might have heard. Amelia grabs the to-go boxes and puts them into a bag before bringing them over to me along with Kayla’s shake.
“I better get back to it before they burn this place down.” She pulls out her pad to take more orders. With not many places to eat in town, they’re always busy. I wave goodbye before heading back toward my shop. My mind drifts to Shaw and what he might be up to. I wonder if he told his mom about me because they seem close.
I pull out my phone to check and see if he’s sent a text, but there’s nothing.
What’s the text protocol when you first start dating someone? In the books I’ve read the hero would have put a tracker on my phone already. In reality, that should be scary but I find myself disappointed that I don’t have a single text from him. I put my phone away, stealing a sip of Kayla’s shake. He’s busy and he’ll probably be by later. I tell myself this and wonder if I can make it that long before I start to let doubt creep back in.