Page 22 of Falling for You

“Nope. I can make anything work,” I say, rather than blurting out immediately, like I’d like to.

“She has an opening on Monday at ten. Does that work?”

“Sure does.”

“Name?”

Oh shit. I hesitate. She’s going to know it’s me if I say my name but at the same time, I don’t want to lie.

“Rex,” I finally tell her.

“Got ya down. See you Monday. Thanks so much!”

“Thanks.”

I toss my phone on the counter and run my fingers through my hair that absolutely doesnotneed a cut. I don’t know what I’m doing here. It’s completely out of my comfort zone but the fact that I’ve thought about Chloe more times than I care to admit over the past week is enough for me to realize that whatever way of life I’ve been living the past thirty years isn’t working anymore.

Rather than sit in my house and dwell on it, I decide to work for a few hours and this time, with a plan in place to see Chloe again, I can at least focus on what I’m doing.

Chapter Six

Chloe

“Morning, Jana. How was your weekend?”

“Boring. As usual.”

I grin at my grumpy friend. She’s definitely living in the wrong town if she’s looking for an exciting night life and an endless social calendar. Liberty isn’t tiny, but it’s still a small town. We’re lucky to have the college because it increases our population which means we have more restaurants and bars than other small towns in the area.

“Sorry to hear that.”

She rolls her eyes and plays with a long strand of bright pink hair as she flips through a magazine. “You are not. You love how sleepy it is here.”

“Got me there. How’s my schedule look today?” I didn’t work over the weekend but when I left here on Friday it looked like it was going to be a busy day.

“You’re full up. Saturday a few called in. Your first client should be here in about ten minutes. Just a men’s haircut, though.”

“Okay sounds good. I’m going to put away my stuff. Try not to have too much fun out here.”

She gives me a deadpan look as she licks her finger and flips the page again. I don’t know why she continues to work and live here in Liberty because she seems genuinely annoyed with her life. At least when customers come in, she’s able to turn off the crabbiness and put on a happy face.

I drop my purse and jacket in my locker space in the break room, put my lunch I packed in the fridge and grab my apron off the hook and drape it over my head. I’m looking down at my feet as I walk to the front while tying the apron around my back when I hear Jana greet my first appointment.

“She’ll be right out. You can just have a seat right here,” I hear Jana say as I turn the corner then, “Sounds good. Thanks.”

I know that deep voice.

I’ve beendreamingof that sexy sound for a week. Of the emerald green eyes and scruff-covered face and grin that makes my panties melt.

My feet are glued to the linoleum, my hands are still holding the strings behind me.

When my eyes finally decide it’s okay to chance a look up, I whoosh out a breath.

“Hi.”

“Hey,” I squeak and my cheeks flame in embarrassment. “What are you doing here?”

Rex points to his head, as if it would be obvious what he’s here for. “I have an appointment.”

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