Page 74 of This Side of Beautiful

I took a calming breath before I casually asked, “When’s the last time you went to a barber?”

He exhaled, relaxing into my touch. “I cut my own hair when it gets too long.”

“Didn’t answer my question.” I sounded like Dr. K, so I softened my tone. “Why don’t you want anyone touching your hair?”

“I don’t know. Just never liked it. I remember crying whenever my father brought me to a barber. He got so tired of fighting with me and punishing me that he stopped when I was about nine. I allowed my mother to clip the ends or cut when my hair grew too long. I rocked the post-COVID Trevor Noah look before it was popular.”

I smiled, rubbing my hands together to warm the oil before threading my fingers through his thick curls. “I love your hair. Just think it needs some TLC.”

He let out a low, contented moan. “That feels good, Nae.”

I chuckled. “Is that your nickname for me?”

“I’ve been trying to find the right one.”

“See what I mean? All that thinking when you can say what you feel when you feel it.”

He leaned back tilting his head to meet my gaze and smiled. “I just did. It popped in my head and I said it.”

“Oh…”

“Like I just told you that I loved you because it felt right.”

Suddenly, my tongue was thick with expectation.

His eyes danced as he stared up at me. “It’s all good with me if you want to take your time before you tell me you love me back.” He added, “You look funny at this angle.”

“What am I going to do with you?” I laughed, lowering my head to kiss him.

When I started to pull back, he gently cradled my neck, holding me in place. “Just accept me.”

I nodded, my fingers tightening in his hair before he released me.

Taking the rattail comb, I started parting his hair gently through the tangles. “I wanted to take those photos for the reason I told you. I want to show the world what love looks like. To show the world how much I love you. The old me would have wanted to post pictures to be petty and show Adam that I’m good. Who I am now wants to show the world that I’m good and have a good man.”

“I love how you slid that you love me in the midst of explaining why you wanted the photos.”

“You think I’m afraid to tell you straight up how I feel?”

“Nope. You have no problem expressing yourself. I’m the one who struggles.”

I kissed the newly exposed part of his scalp. “Not with me. I’m so glad you’re getting used to my being in your space, because I plan to be around for a long time.”

Landon’s shoulders relaxed, and he let his head rest against my thigh. I combed his curls, gently working through the tangles.

I had never known this kind of peace before.

Chapter Twenty-Six

landon

May 14

In my estimation, the beginningof the end started just four days after “Fallen Star” dropped. On Friday, we released the single. By Tuesday, the video and audio of us creating it were everywhere. Success should’ve felt like a victory. Instead, it sounded like a ticking clock.

The guys and I were in the studio working hard on our album when Brian shouted, “The fuck?”

I looked up from my guitar. “What?”

---