Page 29 of Craved By You
I looked down and noticed that Astrid had already fallen asleep on my chest before I could answer. She looked so peacefulas she rested and it filled me with a sense of pride knowing that tonight, I was the one who had brought her peace.
Chapter 18
Astrid
Iwas so happy that Colt had finally opened up to me, but holy wow… That was nothing like I had expected. I zoned out while cutting my client’s hair, thankfully they had requested a haircut that I was beyond confident that I could do in my sleep.
The more I thought about it, the more emotional I had become and I had to step away for a second to pull myself together.How embarrassing, I’ve probably just lost a client now.Thankfully, Haileigh had noticed my change of demeanor and offered to step in. Since this particular client had been coming here for years, they were comfortable with her stepping in.
Quickly, I rushed off to the bathroom and stood in front of the mirror, imagining Colt walking in and finding his mother dead. Then realizing that his psycho step-mother was going to go after him next? I tried to put myself in his shoes. Would I have done the same thing?
He was so young and brave, and for him to trust me with his story meant the world. Even if I felt like there were some holesthat still needed to be filled. That was for another time though. I turned on the cold water and splashed it in my face. Standing back up, I realized I had forgotten about my makeup. The same makeup that was now dripping down my cheeks and making me look like a clown. I opened up the cabinet next to the sink and pulled out a pack of makeup wipes, gently removing the rest from my face.
It wasn’t often that I allowed myself to go natural. Since I had been with Colt, he made me genuinely feel like I didn’t need all of that crap on my face and I found myself going natural more often than not.
Once I felt ready to return to the floor, I exited the bathroom to see Haileigh standing outside the door with her arms crossed and a concerned look plastered across her face. “Are you going to tell me what’s going on? Or am I going to have to take you off the books today so you can figure out your life?”
I felt like I had let her down. “I’m sorry. I didn’t think I was going to be so out of it today.”
“Is everything okay with you and Colt?”Of course she would go there.
I smiled. “Colt’s great. We just stayed up late talking and-” Haileigh cut me off.
“Stop right there.” She glanced around to make sure that the salon was empty of employees and clients. “We have an hour before your next appointment, let’s go ahead and take a break.”
While she ducked behind the desk to grab a couple of sodas from the mini-fridge, I went on my own mission. Hurrying into the break room I grabbed a couple of double chocolate chip muffins and brought them back to where she waited.
“Muffins and soda?” Haileigh hesitated.
I rolled my eyes. “Well, maybe you should have snacks back there that go better with the drinks you keep in your fridge.” I unwrapped the muffin and took a bite before cracking open the soda and taking a swig as soon as I swallowed. “Mmm. Delicious.”
Ding.
Our conversation was interrupted by a text that came across my phone. From Colt.
Colt: ??I hope you’re drinking plenty of water today, sunshine.
My smile gave me away and Haileigh casually stretched to get a glimpse of the message I had received. “Ooo, yes Daddy Colt!” she cooed.
“Haileigh!” I pulled my phone back in shock. “What if that was a pic of his,” I motioned toward my crotch, “his, you know?”
“His dick?” she blurted out. “Astrid, you know damn well that you would have shown it to me, eventually.” ????I felt my face flush; she wasn’t wrong. As I responded to Colt I couldn’t help but notice that little miss nosey pants was also in her own world smiling from ear to ear, which gave me the perfect opportunity to toss the focus on to her.
“Now that you know that Colt and I are fine,” I hesitated, worried she wouldn’t share with me. “What’s got you all giddy over there?”
Haileigh let out a sigh. “You can’t judge me.”
“I would never!” I placed my hand over my heart in shock at such accusations. “I’ve just noticed that while I would have thought you would be all bent out of shape over Braden, you seem to be handling yourself quite well.”
“I am!” Haileigh blurted out with a squeal. “Braden deciding he needed to see what else was out there was the best thing he could have ever done.” Confused, I tried to push my own feelings on the situation aside to understand where she was coming from. “I decided that instead of sitting around and waiting, if the opportunity was to arise and I was asked on a date…” She paused hesitantly. “I would go.”
“Why would I judge you for that?” I watched her as she smiled nervously. “If you remember, Iamthe one who told you that you shouldn’t wait around for him to figure out that you were the one he was supposed to be with.”
“I know I just… I’ve gone on three dates over the past few nights.” We both squealed in unison and I couldn’t wait to hear about her dates. “And you know them both.”
I began to mentally cipher through the list of mutuals that Haileigh and I had, unable to think of anyone who would be remotely her type. “Who?”
“You know… Chris and Ryder.” Haileigh beamed and I felt silly that they hadn’t even crossed my mind. Especially with how much they flirted with her after the concerts.
